I've long been a fan of Michelin. I had Michelin Harmonies on my old Pontiac and the combination worked well in most driving conditions, and well enough in the snow. I see the Harmony has been replaced with the Defender. Tirerack.com said the Defender could have been better in wet traction and the review I read hadn't tested them in snow. Their customer reviews only give the Defender a 6 in snow traction which wouldn't be good enough for me, but I have FWD. If you have 4wd you'll likely be better off, but be watchful of cornering and lateral traction issues.

I use a dedicated snow tire (General Altimax Artics).

 

Thanks. I forgot to mention my Patriot is a 2011 FDII AWD

 

The Goodyear's hands down, and if you use this site instead for the same tire its only $69.50 per tire instead of $115 including shipping (and after the rebate). The 70,000 mile warranty will keep you without having to buy new tires for a long time.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/d...TireDetail.do?ra=searchTiresBySize.do&fl=&pc=12986&counter=0&ar=65&rd=17&cs=215

 

Wow thank you - I wonder why the big price difference from the same company. Reading some more reviews from TireRack I've decided to take the Energy Savers off the list.

TireRack reviews for the Michelin Defender and Goodyear Assurance ComfortTred are very close...edge going to the ComfortTred. No TireRack reviews on the regular Goodyear Assurance tire (DiscountTire does mention that it is exclusive to them...maybe thats why)

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...Make=Michelin&tireModel=Defender&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=165TR7DEF&tab=Sizes
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...el=Assurance+ComforTred+Touring&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=165TR7ACTT&tab=Sizes

So now it's down to 3!

Michelin Defender
Goodyear Assurance
Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring


I wonder if the ComfortTred warrants the extra cost?

 

No love for the General Altimax RT 43's?? They are getting rave reviews at every forum (2) that I frequent.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/testDisplay.jsp?ttid=195

 

Haven't had them in snow, but Ignatz is wearing RT43s and they're excellent tires. I'm not a fan of 'all-season' tires, because they're generally useless in serious snow. If OP is from Chicago, I think a more aggressive tread might be helpful.

 

I live in a worse climate than Chicago and will only stick with all seasons, even with my near 100 mile a day commute with most of that being on country roads in the winter Just like LT tires, they give folks a false sense of security on snowy and icy roads .... and those are the folks I used to pass in the ditch as I drove by with no problems in my sports coupe with wide all seasons

 

Knock on wood (twice), but I have the same good results in lower Michigan.

However, it DOES require me to slow down and drive according to the conditions. Sometimes I have to leave early to work or arrive home late. On very rare occasions I stay put and wait a bit for conditions to improve.

These inconveniences are not acceptable for many.

And, in reality, if driven responsibly, true snow tires can only improve your safety odds in dicey conditions. And, Chicago probably has MANY more poor drivers to contend with. You know,.....those ILLINOISE drivers.....always the worst....at least according to my dad when I was growing up in NW Indiana.

 

I have these in a 215/65/15, and they have been some of the best I've had! Like glue in every weather situation and are wearing great!

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...R5SIG2&ci_sku=96HR5SIG2&ci_src=17588969&ef_id=VAgpQAAABSa1AY-b:20150826231608:s

 

I get what you are saying .... snow tires for the the majority of certain American drivers living in urban/suburban areas are required for the poor lazy and impatient drivers ...got it

On a real note - even in my extreme times, never once thought of snow tires ever!

 

Update:

Ended up going with the Goodyear Assurance ComforTred Touring from Discount Tire (retail store location)

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/fi...15&dVeh=dVeh&ra=filterTireProducts.do&fl=&tc=GDYPT8&yr=2011&pc=30458&vid=025378

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires...el=Assurance+ComforTred+Touring&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=165TR7ACTT&tab=Sizes

Great tires so far. Definitely a comfort upgrade from the stock Goodyear Wrangler SR A.


I got them down to $110 per tire. Out the door after installation, taxes, etc. was ~$560. Minus $60 Goodyear mail in rebate the cost will be about $500. Includes lifetime balancing/rotation