Anyone recommend any all-season tires that are available as 15"? I live I'm CO so snow driving is inevitable and I'm looking for something with at least a bit of snow/ice capability. Dedicated winter tires aren't in the budget. I've gotten by with Yokohama Advan S4 for a few years on my last car and they did great but they're not available in 15".

 

175/65-15 Yokohama Avid Envigor $84 at TireRack. Check your manual for sizes that can be fitted with chains.

 

Can anyone talk to how the Avid Envigor handles in the snow?

Right now, I'm comparing the Avid Envigor and the Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S. The Michelin starts as a 195 but I'm not sure I want to increase the width and height of the tire.

 

If the possiblity of fitting chains is not a requirement, I'd go with the 195/60-15 Envigor or Michelin for better dry and wet handling and less cost. The tire diameter is within 0.2 inches of the 175/65-15.

You can compare test results and consumer reviews at tirerack.com.

 

Chains are definitely not an issue. With a slightly higher sidewall should I expect any different handling characteristics, spongy cornering?

 

Mtn Cooper: Research at the Tire Rack (TR) website, and/or contact Alex at TR (through this website). Alex may even come to this thread soon to help.

From the user ratings reported at TR, the Yoko AVID EnVigor is apparently not very good in snow. In the OE 175/65/15 size (which is somewhat limited in tire choices), the General Altimax HP (a Grand Touring A/S tire) is significantly better in the snow, while giving up very little in the dry to the Yokos.

If you're willing to go to a wider size (which normally isn't advised for snow conditions), the Michelin Pilot Exalto (a HP A/S tire) in 195/60/15 out-performs the Yoko in snow. But the 195/60/15 Good Year Assurance ComforTred HP (a GT A/S tire) has even higher ratings in snow performance than the Michelin.

Of course, all of these A/S tires have compromised snow performance compared to a dedicated snow tire such as the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60.

 

If you can tell the difference in one tenth of an inch of sidewall height you've missed your calling.

Jim, I thought the Envigor reviews (not numerical ratings) were quite positive regarding snow traction. So it goes.

 

hsautocrosser: You may be right about the reviews; I rarely read them. When available, I prefer TR's own comparison tests to user survey ratings, and consider the reviews as the least reliable source, and the most confusing. That may be partly due to their relatively small sample sizes.