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Nokian Rotiva AT 265/60/18 10,000 mile update

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28K views 40 replies 14 participants last post by  1stJeepGC 
#1 ·
Greetings,

Nokian Rotiiva AT

It has been almost a year that I have had the Nokian Rotiva AT with 10k+ on them. To date I have not been able to use them in sand, heavy off-road usage including mud or deep snow. I have used them on lite off-road with excellent results. For an on-road/off-road all terrain tire, my gas mileage has not suffered due to the fact it is low rolling resistance tire. My city average is any where from 11 to 14 mpg, with the highway from 21.5 to 23.5 pending on speed and terrain. The tire pressure is kept at 35 psi.

Using Tirerack’s (they do not sell them) survey guide since most of us are familiar with their rating system, here is my other impressions and notes based on today:

Would buy again: 10
The tire was about $230.00 each when I brought them, IMO, it was worth it.
WET:
Hydroplaning Résistance: 9.5
Wet Traction: 9.0
The compound’s Nokian uses and the tread design is the key to this tire. Between the siping (the cuts or wiggle line on the tread block) and the tread pattern, the water has not built-up on me. I stay on course, even in turning and braking. I have driven them thru some nice heavy wind driven rain with flooded roads and found to have no problems.​

DRY:

Cornering Stability: 8.8
Dry Traction: 10.0
Steering Response: 9.0

Dry traction is not a problem even with hot temperatures and hi-speed driving (80’s for me). I did find the steering response was a little off from liking when I was down in Georgia last September. This I believe was from the soft compound which Nokian uses. I have read reports that soft non-dedicated winter tires in warmer to hotter climate temperatures get mush. I found that not to be the case. For an aggressive tire, I was surprised how well this one handles in cornering.​

WINTER/SNOW:

Light Snow Traction: 9.5
Deep Snow Traction: n/a
Ice Traction: 8.3

One of my major points when I was looking for new tires was how well it did in this category and I wanted the mountain flake symbol. In light snow I have absolute no problems and I did not even shift into snow mode or 4 Lo, since I have those features. In some moderate wet snow, I did use the snow mode just to play a little, no problem. Moderate dry snow was no problem. As I said earlier, I have had no opportunity in deep snow to try them out yet. Ice traction is very good. A few times I had to step on the brakes with out any problems. If my old tires was on, I am sure the result would not be so good. This performance is due to Nokian history in winter driving.​

COMFORT:

Ride Comfort: 9.5
Noise Comfort: 8.7
Treadwear: 9.0

There are many different highway surfaces that I drive over, especially on the weekends. Rough surfaces, as always with an AT is noisy, but the Rotiva was not bad at all. Fair surfaces, they are smooth and quiet.. Smooth surfaces, yep, real quiet and smooth. This was from my first impressions at 1k. Now with 10k+ on them the ride comfort is still the same. The noise level did slip a little and I expect more at the 20k mark. A concrete paved road the noise is more pronounced than before. I am still impressed. At 5k, they were rotated and at 10k rotated and balanced. The treadwear is looking good and right on course.​

If anybody has the Nokian Rotiva’s, feel free and chime in. I am interested in your findings.

Last year, when I was looking at tires, I was also looking at the Cooper AT3, Goodyear SilentAmor and the Toyo Country AT II to replace my BFG Rugged Terrian TA which I was not happy with. The tire was extremely noisy and had no serious traction for the winter.

Best for now.:)
 
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#2 ·
I've driven my 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland for 8,400 miles (13 500 km) on Nokian Rotiiva AT 265/60-18 (114 T) tires and can report similar satisfying experiences.

These tires grip well, are quiet and comfortable, don't leak, and seem to be wearing evenly and slowly.

I haven't done any hard off-roading, yet, but the tires did well in a farmer's field, on unpaved roads, through deep mud puddles, and a few inches of snow.

Nokian Rotiiva AT tires are not all-season tires. They are European all-weather tires, certified as winter tires and useable year-round. The sidewall has the snowflake and mountain symbol.

I used Nokian WRG2 tires on my Audis and was pleased. I would buy Nokian again.
 
#5 ·
I haven't done any hard off-roading, yet, but the tires did well in a farmer's field, on unpaved roads, through deep mud puddles, and a few inches of snow.

Nokian Rotiiva AT tires are not all-season tires. They are European all-weather tires, certified as winter tires and useable year-round. The sidewall has the snowflake and mountain symbol.
Greetings,

Thank you for your reply. I pretty much did the same as you this past summer. Now I got my answer for the mud.

The Rotiva is the replacement for the previous AT tire, Vativa. This Rotiva now has the snowflake and mountain. Last year, when I spoke to Nokian USA, they also said it had some more improvements for winter use over the Vativa.

Best for now.:)
 
#3 ·
I had the Nokian Rotiiva AT in my 2013 Overland and also agree with these ratings. Although I bought them for my 20s and there was only a Load E available so the ride was harsher than stock.

Since I sold my 13 Jeep for a 14 diesel and opted for the 18s, I'm considering the WRG2 SUV tires. It's tread looks more like a passenger SUV tire which would probably be smoother and also looks like it's geared towards snow and ice a little more than the Rotiiva which looks like it may sacrifice some snow and ice for off-road. Also looks like a winter tire suitable for all season driving. Anyone have experience with this?
 
#6 ·
Greetings,

When I was doing my research last year and spoke directly to Nokian North America, at the time, they felt the WR G2 tire would be good for light off-road and nothing above that. I would call them directly to reconfirm. This way you know if you have to, you can.

The WR G2 has the more siping and at key areas needed for the ice for a non-studded tire. Also the compound is softer than the Rotiva.

Best for now.:)
 
#4 · (Edited)
I appreciate these updates. I am using the Michelin LTX M/S 2. They do not have the severe weather logo and are billed as a high mileage all season tire. The ride, noise and snow traction are excellent, BUT below 10F the rubber gets too hard (it is a high mileage compound) and the tire skates on road packed snow and ice. We have the Nokian WR G2 on our Subaru. Having the severe emblem, the compound is softer and the cold weather ice grip is great. I saw a WK2 with Nokian WR GR SUV's parked locally, but could not wait for the owner to return. It appears that since the WR G2 is not "AT" as the Rotiiva that it more of a highway tire. Different strokes for different folks.
 
#8 ·
Greetings,

Right now I am close to 15K on them. So far, they are wearing down nicely. Plenty of tread left. Pretty much the same results as I reported at 10K. This is the first time I owned Nokian and mostly will stick with Nokian in the future. I have hit some potholes (like most of us) this winter season and the tire has help up better than I excepted.

Best for now.:)
 
#14 ·
Greetings,

In terms of ice conditions, IMHO, they did better than other AT type tires I had in the past. Their were a few times this past winter that I had slow down quickly on ice sports and the GC braked with traction and in control. The Rotiva is softer than the GY Duratrac's. Then again, the Duratrac is for tougher conditions and load than the Rotiva for off trail usage.

Between having Goodyear, Firestone and Michelin over the years for my 4x4's, I find Nokian's to be the best.

Best for now.:)
 
#10 ·
The Rotiiva AT's perform in snow better than an all-season tire, but not as good a winter tire, I should think. The Rotiivas performed well enough for me last winter, but I didn't encounter deep snow. I would buy them again.
 
#11 ·
Greetings,

I have to agree as well and will buy them again.

I did hit about a foot of soft snow that was no problem.

For member MoparBob: It all depends on what you are going to use for and the climate conditions you are subject to in your area and the areas that you will be going to. The other question, do you need an AT tire?

Nokian dedicated tires are out of the world according to many. They have a new all season tire that performs almost like a dedicated snow tire in the WR G3. I understand that this fall new dedicated tires are going to introduced. Some of the one's ending in 7 will be come model 8s.

http://www.jeepgarage.org/f109/new-tire-73032.html

Hope this helps.

Best for now.:)
 
#12 ·
Nokian calls its Rotiiva and WRG3 tires "all-weather," rather than all-season because the Rotiiva and WRG3 are acceptable in states and provinces that require winter tires. All-season tires, which generally are designed to go through no more than two inches or five cm of snow, are unacceptable in those jurisdictions in winter. (I may be skating on this ice here, but I think that I've go the facts right.)

My 2004 Audi all road 4.2 had Nokian WRG2 tires. The WRG2 tires certainly weren't great summer tires, but did OK. One would hope that the WRG3 tires are better. If I didn't want all-terrrain (AT) tires, I'd put Nokian WRG3 SUV tires on my 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee or perhaps another manufacturer's similar tire.
 
#13 ·
Nokian calls its Rotiiva and WRG3 tires "all-weather," rather than all-season because the Rotiiva and WRG3 are acceptable in states and provinces that require winter tires. All-season tires, which generally are designed to go through no more than two inches or five cm of snow, are unacceptable in those jurisdictions in winter. (I may be skating on this ice here, but I think that I've go the facts right.)
Greetings,

Skating on thin ICE? Nope, you did get the facts correct. :thumbsup:

With regards to the WR G3, they are technical an all season tire. However, because they use compounds that are designed to give the maximum grip based on the tires purpose, Nokian now calls everything all weather. This was explained to me by them a couple of months ago. Very few tires that are labeled all season have the mountain flake symbol indicating usage for winter conditions. The symbol also indicates that the tire is perfectly fine in jurisdictions that except it. Within some jurisdictions that except the symbol will still require on certain roads chains or studded tires depending on conditions. The Nokian Rotiva is an all season on/off road all terrain tire that additional has the mountain flake symbol giving that all weather status. Here is a link on other members opinions about the WR series: http://www.jeepgarage.org/f109/new-tire-73032.html

Goodyear tires for SUV's also uses the same label principles that Nokian does. The Silent Amror was labeled with the Mountain Flake for all weather as well.

Today, it is all about marketing and we as the consumer have to read between the lines.

Best for now.:)
 
#16 ·
Nokian Rotiiva AT - A all season tire that offers optimal performance with no compromises in terms of safety and driving comfort. / Nokian Tires

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire_code

Nokian Rotiiva AT tires have rating of T for sustained speeds up to 190 km/h or 118 mph under laboratory conditions.

The rated load-carrying capacity is 110 to 114 (up to 1,180 kg [2,600 lb] a tire) more than enough for any Grand Cherokee for passenger use.

Indices of C, D, and E refer to load-carrying capacity for tires for light trucks and commercial vehicles.

My Rotiivas now have been driven almost 34,000 miles or 55 000 km. The built-in tread marker shows 40% of the tread is left; they will likely need to be replaced by 50,000 miles or 80 000 km. The tires are now noisy because I failed to have the suspension aligned after 15,000 miles or 25,000 km and the tires may show some cupping along the edge. A big mistake on my part!

Are you thinking of buying Rotiiva ATs for your Grand Cherokee for highway and light off-roading? If so, the Rotiiva AT is likely the right choice. I do recommend the Rotiiva AT.
 
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#17 ·
#19 ·
Greetings,

These were my first impressions after 10k:
DRY:

Cornering Stability: 8.8
Dry Traction: 10.0
Steering Response: 9.0
Dry traction is not a problem even with hot temperatures and hi-speed driving (80’s for me). I did find the steering response was a little off from liking when I was down in Georgia last September. This I believe was from the soft compound which Nokian uses. I have read reports that soft non-dedicated winter tires in warmer to hotter climate temperatures get mush. I found that not to be the case. For an aggressive tire, I was surprised how well this one handles in cornering.


Now:

I am still very impressed. This past summer, I was out in the Mid West during that heat wave driving around the dry traction was still their. Cornering was about the same as in my last year's trip to Atlanta. Normally, a soft tire on hot roads doing highway speeds will become flexible and wishie-washie. It do not feel any signs of any lose of control. This occurred round 25,000 miles. My understanding of the new Rotiva AT plus (summer only so far) is better for hotter temperatures.

Best for now.:)
 
#21 ·
An internet search will show Nokian dealers. Make sure that the seller really is an authorized Nokian dealer.
 
#22 ·
#25 · (Edited)
I traded in the Forteras at 150 miles. Price for 265/50/20 Nokian WRG3 SUV's was $150 each plus tax, disposal fees, etc. plus free rotations and leak repair... a good deal IMO. My tire place is a local Nokian distributor.

I expect snow and ice performance to be equal to our Subaru with WRG2's... excellent!
 
#26 ·
Hows your gas mileage?
Just put a set of Rotiva's on and went on a 1000 mile round trip. unfortunatly no snow like I was expecting. The handled great, Just a slight increase in noise.
Replaced a set of General Grabber that had 60k on them.

The only problem was my gas mileage dropped. I was only getting 16-16.5 at highway speeds (65-70mph). This is a droop of 2-3mpg.

So far I like these tires, but the mpg drop has me thinking about replacing them. I was planning on running these all year round in Michigan.
 
#27 ·
Greetings and welcome to JeepGarage.org,

What year is your JGC and engine? From your numbers, it looks like you might have a hemi.

My gas mileage had not dropped since I put them on my 2011 3.6L. With the summer blend of gas, I averaged still the same as I reported at the 10k updated, 21-23 mpg. The winter blend of gas I drop any where from 1-2 mpg. After I put in Cold Air Intake, I found it went up 1 mpg.

Best for now.:)
 
#29 ·
Been running the Rotivva AT's all winter long (8-10k) and just took them off to finish up my GY SA's. I have to say they have been great for wet, snowy and cold. I'm in MA and we have had a pretty good year for snow. Drove up to ski mountains with 18 inches of stuff on the road and didn't really have any issues. One thing I did notice is that more weight in the WK2 the better (but that goes for all tires). When it started to heat up outside they did wear down little faster then my GY's but for the grip, handling, snow, wet, braking, and mpg they are great. Also they are very quiet. I can tell a huge difference between the GY and Rotivva's.
 
#30 ·
Greetings,

I am glad you like them. :cool:

I just past 36k on them and they are still going strong. Interesting about the warmer temps, I have not had that problem. I have made trips down south and the traction was the same as new.

The noise level is just a tiny bit louder and that depends on the type of road surface I am driving on. It should be interesting when I hit 40k later this summer.

By last tread depth was 8/32.

Best for now.:)
 
#31 ·
I figured I would post here too since this thread was also helpful:

I'm considering 17s that are either Blizzaks where I have to get a set of summer tires next year or get the Nokian W3 SUVs and run them year round. Unfortunately, I can't really decide. Any further comments from people who have been running these for more miles?
 
#32 ·
I have WRG2 on my WJ Overland. They are almost 30K miles now and are still great. I can probably put 10K more for sure. My wife drives it during the winter. I live in Wisconsin and good winter tire traction is a must. It is amazing! With 4x4 there is no problem to take off. The difference is in turns and during breaking. My 2014 Overland is pretty bad in snow with original Goodyear's. And it has QD2.... Last two summers we drove the WJ a lot. Temp's were high around 90F, but did not have any problems with WRG2's. Amazing tire. When is time for new tire for my WK2 I am considering WRG3 for sure. Hope this helps
 
#35 ·
11/17/16 - Update

I put on the WR G3's yesterday at the Jeep dealer on the stock 17s, 245/65/17s were there only size that was close to stock. They look exactly like Blizzaks to me which is interesting. I'm driving 1000 miles today on a weekend trip to the mountains so I will let you know how they fare. Purchased them for $127.99 from Simpletire.com and they were delivered in 48 hours, great service.

I was also able to pickup the stock 18s and tires off of craigslist last night so I have something to run next summer. Go figure the day after I order the Nokian's for all season use I find these with Michelin Latitude Tours on Craiglists for a great deal along with mint condition OEM 18s.

Here are pics:


















 
#37 ·
Over the course of the weekend in the NC mountains I drove 1000 miles, including some off roading on gravel/dirt logging trails and some great Blue Ridge Parkway highways. They didn't slip once on the trails and performed great on the pavement as well. No MPG loss either. The tires are definitely on the softer side as far as turning and cornering but they are quiet as can be compared to the Fortera's and comfortable. These feel pretty similar to full on winter tires on the dry so far. I will update as it snows. Pics:







 
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