Snow Tires for SUVs

Snow tires for light trucks and SUVs

In climates with mild winters, owners of trucks and SUVs can probably get by with all-terrain tires. SUVs and trucks are heavier than cars, giving them a traction advantage. Still, installing dedicated winter tires will further improve traction and handling in snow and ice. The prices that follow are for 265/65-17 tires, such as those appropriate for a 2008 Dodge Durango, or for the closest size offered.

The Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 (*Est. $135) is Bridgestone's newest winter tire for trucks and SUVs. It replaces the critics' perennial (and now discontinued) favorite, the Blizzak DM-Z3 (Discontinued) (*Est. $95 on closeout). The two tires are very similar, but Bridgestone says the new Blizzak DM-V1 tire gets better grip on snowy, icy and wet roads.

The Blizzak DM-V1 had just hit the market at the time of this update, and none of our sources had tested it yet. Critics expect it will only improve on the Blizzak DM-Z3 it replaces, which already gets excellent reviews: The DM-Z3 is a top pick at Canada's APA and a leading U.S. testing organization. Testers say its deep tread works well in deep snow, and its performance on ice is excellent. The downfall of the Blizzak DM-Z3 -- and all other light truck/SUV winter tires -- has been poor braking on dry and wet roads, an area Bridgestone says it has improved with the new Blizzak DM-V1.

On wet and dry winter roads, consumers who post at TireRack.com have preferred the pricier Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snow (*Est. $165) and Michelin Latitude X-Ice (*Est. $145) over the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-Z3. The Michelin performs similarly to the Blizzak DM-Z3 in one leading U.S. test, but when the roads get really messy, consumers at TireRack.com say the Blizzak winter tire has the edge. They give the Blizzak higher scores for traction on snow and ice than any other light truck/SUV tire.

For winters with a lot of dry or rainy weather, consumers at TireRack.com recommend the Continental 4x4 WinterContact (*Est. $200). This performance winter tire is surprisingly quiet, users say, and it's remarkably confident in light snow.

If winter in your area means deep snow, Canada's APA recommends the studdable Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 (*Est. $145) (*Est. $265 in SUV sizes), which is critics' favorite studdable tire for passenger cars as well. Although the Hakkapeliitta 5 outclasses most other tires on snow and ice, passenger-car reviews find it mediocre on wet and dry roads. The Hakkapeliitta 5 is also more expensive than most winter truck tires, the APA reviewer notes.

The APA points out that truck and SUV owners can sometimes save money by "minus-sizing" -- buying a smaller wheel and a narrower tire for snow use -- even considering the expense of buying the second set of wheels. This can expand the number of brands light truck and SUV owners can choose from, as smaller winter tires are easier to find. It is also cheaper than having a garage swap your tires on the existing rims, particularly if your vehicle is equipped with a tire-pressure monitoring system: "This can save up to $50 each time you swap tires," the APA says.

Your tire retailer has guides that list appropriate substitute sizes for your vehicle. "Savings of $80 to $200 per set of four are possible by downsizing the wheel and tire combination, depending on the tire chosen," the APA says.