The WRG3 is a good all around tire... but if you live where you get heavy snow or need to drive on ice, you might want to check out the Nokian hardcore winter Hakkapeliitta tires that hold ice speed records.
If studs are legal, the factory studded ones come with trapezoidal studs built right into the tread. Only thing I've ever found that can beat a Hakka studded is tire chains or tank style treads.
Where are you finding the width specification for that Nokian...I seem to be missing it on the site you linked to. A 265-50-20 shouldn't deviate that much in physical size. (The downloadable tire guide doesn't have the WRG3-SUV in it)
It's not on a site. I went to a tire dealer who had one in stock. We took it outside and placed it next to the Goodyear. Noticed it was wider so we measure it. It's about 1 to 1 1/2 inches wider. Hard to be exact with it being off the rim.
As long as you are buying a 265/50/20 id be very surprised if you had any type of rubbing issues. I looked at those very closely when I was buying and would have bought those if I had a climate with more snow to contend with. they look like about the best choice for handling winter of a tire that you leave on year round and do not change out like you do dedicated snow tires. id say get them if they rub then you take them back because they should not if you buy that size.
Thanks they did say they would take them back if they rub. Do you know what the mileage wear is on these are? I don't see it and I also wonder if they will be noisey?
Actually that was one of the questions I had when I was looking and I emailed Nokian and asked them. The first thing I was looking for in a tire was a smooth and quiet all season highway tire. They gave me an honest reply, below is a portion of what they sent
"The WR G3 is a winter rated tire that is designed to be used year round. It will be great in winter weather but it’s not the quietest or smoothest tire we make. It received a sore of good in consumer reports for noise but an all season or summer tire would be smother and quieter. The tradeoff is that it will not provide winter weather traction like the WR G3."
So from that I took that it is not likely one of the quietest in the category but I doubt it would be considered loud or noisy probably more middle of the pack concerning noise. Interesting he referenced consumer reports which gave it a medium rating for noise and high marks to the Michelin for noise which is the one I ended up getting to replace the god awful Bridgestones. very happy with the Michelins although I doubt they will be as good in winter driving as the WR G3. Its all about where you want to place your priorities. No tire does everything perfect you just have to pick the ones that are best for your type of usage.
What do you mean by "wider"? Tread width or top to bottom tire diameter or something else? If you mean diameter, then I would suggest that placing an unmounted/uninflated tire next to one that is mounted on a wheel and under vehicle load would not be a proper comparison.
Had a set of Nokian WR G3 SUV installed yesterday on my 2011 Overland.
Now I know what a great tire is like!
Much more quiet and smooth riding than the stock 20 inch Forteras , and absolutely no more shudder.
I would highly recommend this tire for everyone.
I just took mine out on the interstate for the first time and they ride great. I do not feel they are quieter than the Forteras, but certainly not noticeabley louder.
I like them so far. They seem to be a little louder at first but once they broke in ...or maybe my ears did they seem to be smooth. The test will be this winter... I plan on going with another set of wheels and the VENTUS ST RH06 in the spring anyways. I didn't want to go with a full winter tire thats why I got these...
question for you folks with the WR G3 SUV would you describe it as a soft riding tire does it absorb bumps well? The fortera which was generally a rotten tire in my opinion did have a good point of a soft ride, soaked the bumps up well where as something like the Bridgestone alenza is a stiff tire and you feel every little bump in the road, kinda like driving on rocks. the nokian being a "year round snow tire" I would think it may have a little softer compound not sure about the side wall though.
question for you folks with the WR G3 SUV would you describe it as a soft riding tire does it absorb bumps well? The fortera which was generally a rotten tire in my opinion did have a good point of a soft ride, soaked the bumps up well where as something like the Bridgestone alenza is a stiff tire and you feel every little bump in the road, kinda like driving on rocks. the nokian being a "year round snow tire" I would think it may have a little softer compound not sure about the side wall though.
I've only driven slightly over 100 miles on them and feel the ride is just as smooth as the Forteras. The sidewall is stiff enough for me as I do not take corners at outrageous speeds. Remember they are an "all-weather" tire, not an "all-terrain" tire (Nokian Rotiiva AT).
Oh, to answer a question of a couple of months ago, the WRG3 SUV now have a 55,000 warranty per the Nokian brochure at the tire shop.
It is very possible that WR G3 SUV has some form of the new Aramid sidewall technology. Their is a video in the below link showing the technology in action.
1stJeepGC how have those Rotiiva done in the snow. I am close to pulling the trigger. I am coming from GY SA which were very slippery in the snow. All of my other tires were BFG AT KOs
1stJeepGC how have those Rotiiva done in the snow. I am close to pulling the trigger. I am coming from GY SA which were very slippery in the snow. All of my other tires were BFG AT KOs
First real snow of the season, well rain,sleet ice and snow... I couldn't be happier with the WR G3 SUV. This is my fifth Jeep i've owned and probably the best one for traction. My 93 Grand V8 was very good and my 97 Grand V8 was not so good. The 2012 Grand Hemi is wonderful in the snow. I'm sure the tires have a lot to do with it but the traction control programing, Ratio front to back is very good. Oh, stopping is very good to... Thumbs up for Nokian...
I am gland you like them. As a first time user of Nokian after everybody and including my European Friends who used over their told me to go for them, I am also extremely happy with them. I have the Rotiva AT.
I live in the Midwest(WI) and had one of the first sets on here. I've been driving with them since February. I have 20K miles on them now and about 2/32 to 2.5/32 of wear.
I asked that question to Nokian a while ago, they do not recommend them for off-road activities.
The regular gravel road should be fine as long it is not of the large 1 inch or better type. Here is were Nokian warns people. This due to softer compound and has limited stone ejection properties and puncheon resistance. Otherwise from your list you should be fine.
With regards to winter driving the Rotiva does a very fine job, but it does not have the gripping power of the WRG3 SUV. The gripping power will help with the various ice conditions. Their were some cases of black ice that I had problems with but the Rotiva does dig in shortly. As always you have to judge your speed and corning.
I have a set of the Rotiiva (1000 miles) so far they have been good. On road is great, dirt roads (fire roads) have been good too. Haven't had a chance to really test them in the snow yet however.
I just got my 2015 GC Limited two weeks ago. Since I'll be primarily driving it in the winter, I'm getting a set of the WR G3's installed in a couple of days. Hopefully, I'll be satisfied with them. Now I'll have to find a new home for the OE Michelins.....
The Nokians went on this morning. They seem to handle pretty well, considering, of course, this is isn't a sports car. and they aren't "track tires". And as expected, they seem a little nosier that the OE Michelins were, but not all that objectionable....