FYI...Tires marked with the pictograph of a peaked mountain with a snowflake meet specific snow traction performance requirements, and have been designed specifically for use in severe snow conditions.

The following list contains the model names of tire brands certified by the manufacturers to meet the severe snow tire standard. This list may not be exhaustive and is subject to change but, perhaps, a good place to begin your search.
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AutoPar AutoPar Snow Challenger

BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO
Commercial T/A Traction
Winter Slalom

Bridgestone Blizzak MZ-01
Blizzak MZ-02
Blizzak WS15
Blizzak WS50
Commercial T/A Traction
Dueler DM-Z2
WT-14

Canadian Tire Corp. Motomaster M/S
Motomaster M/S II
Nordic Icetrac
Nordic Wintertrac

Cavalier Traction King Plus
Winter King

Cooper Discoverer M+S
Mastercraft Glacier-Grip
Mastercraft Glacier-Grip XT
Weather-Master SiO2
Weather-Master S/T
Weather-Master S/T 2
Weather-Master XGR
Wintermaster Plus
Wintermaster XRT Studless

Dunlop Graspic DS-1
SP Arctic
SP Arctic M3
SP Arctic M4

Firestone Winterfire

Goodyear Eagle M+S EMT
Eagle Ultra grip
Eagle Ultra grip GW2
F32S
Ultra grip
Ultra grip 4
Ultra grip 5
Ultra grip Ice

Hankook Aurora 909
Aurora 919
Aurora 948
Aurora W403
Aurora W602
Hankook W400
Hankook W401

Hercules Polartrax
Signet Winter Trax

Kelly Springfield Big O A/T Big Foot
Concord Winter TR
Multi-Mile Wild Country Radial TXR (P metric only)
Pacemark High Traction Steel Radial GTR
Pacemark Snowtrakker ST/2
Power King High Traction Steel Radial GTR
Power King Snowtrakker ST/2
Wild Spirit Radial DTX (P metric only)
Wintermark HT

Kumho & Kumho/Marshal I'Zen Stud KW 11
KW 7400
Power Grip 749

Medalist Traction King Plus
Winter King

Michelin 4 x 4 Alpin
Arctic Alpin
Pilot Alpin

Nokian Tires Nokian NRS-T
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 1
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 LT
Nokian Hakkapeliitta 2
Nokian Hakkapeliitta C2
Nokian Hakkapeliitta CQ
Nokian Hakkapeliitta LT
Nokian Hakkapeliitta NRW All Weather Plus
Nokian Hakkapeliitta Q
Nokian Hakkapeliitta WR All Weather Plus
Nokian NR 09
Nordman

Pirelli Winter 160 Direzionale
Winter 210 Asimmetrico
Winter S-2
Winter Ice Asimmetrico
Winter Ice Asimmetrico Plus
Winter Ice Direzionale
Winter Ice Direzionale Plus

President Winter Extreme

Regul Winter King

Riken Traction King Plus
Winter King

Sears Roadhandler Ice & Snow+

Toyo Observe G-02
Observe G-02 Plus
Observe G-03
Observe Garit HT
Observe GP4
Observe X-10
Snowprox S950

Uniroyal Laredo HD/T
Laredo HD/T NailGuard
TigerPaw Ice & Snow

Yokohama Guardex
S401


Hope this helps!
Reference: Transport Canada

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2004 | 6MTs | Diamond Graphite/Graphite

 

Where is BridgeStone LM-22???


Borla Exhaust
Grounding Kit
GruppeM Intake (ETA: late October... [img]/w3timages/icons/frown.gif[/img])

 

I'm surprised the Blizzak LM-22 isn't listed.

---------------------------------
http://www.anythingbox.net

 

The pictograph of the tire performance in snow is attached: (from my Yokohama AVS snows)---
The Transport Canada list is incomplete.

<font color=red>GSM</font color=red> <font color=black>Silverstone Coupe</font color=black>

123027-snow tire picto.jpg

 

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr>

I'm surprised the Blizzak LM-22 isn't listed.

<hr></blockquote> Well, I'd be very surprised if the list was complete or right up to date. Actually, that's the purpose of the post - to uncover and get a bit of feedback on all our options, i.e., what are SEDAN folks in need of winter (not A/S) rubber actually doing to replace their 215/55-17 OEMs? Is our best alternative for size and availability a 225/55-17?

Please share your good/bad experience with any specific tire listed (or not) to save our community some time and $$$. Thanks!

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2004 | 6MTs | Diamond Graphite/Graphite

 

My OEM's are 17" but I'm buying 16" snows with wheels.

2003.5 G35
2003 350Z
2003 Murano SL

 

TireRack currently has the Blizzak WS50's for the Sedan in 215/55R17.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

I'm going with the 16" because it's narrower and cheaper.

2003.5 G35
2003 350Z
2003 Murano SL

 

Ryoken -

Even in upstate NY there are long periods of dry road between snowfalls, so I'm willing to give up some ice grip/stopping ability for less noise and higher longevity. According to the TireRack info below, the LM22 looks to be the best choice for my needs. Unfortunately, Bridgestone doesn't make LM22s in 17". Arrgh!

Average Results from TireRack online tire survey: WS50 - 394 surveys submitted 2,570,603 miles reported; LM22 - 141 surveys submitted 687,267 miles reported

Key: WS50 | LM22 (10=best)

Dry Traction - 7.2 | 8.1
Wet Traction - 7.8 | 8.4
Hydro Resistance - 7.9 | 8.4
Snow Traction - 9.4 | 8.8
Cornering Stability - 6.5 | 7.7
Steering Response - 6.5 | 7.7
Ride Comfort - 7.6 | 8.2
Noise Comfort - 6.8 | 7.7
Tread Wear - 6.5 | 7.7

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2004 | 6MTs | Diamond Graphite/Graphite

 

In Canada, the LM-18 is available. It's actually a slightly more advanced tread design over the LM-22 I believe. Great tire in the snow and ice, and increadible on dry roads. Hardly any compromise from many summer and A/S tires of the same aspect ratio! Mine are LM-18s in 225/60-16. Did a lot of research before buying. Though a narrower tire is usually better than an equivalent wider tire, the width isn't really a factor unless you go about an inch wider or more. More variability between different different tread designs and makes.

<font color=green>GG</font color=green>

 

Yeah I thought about hoppin' over the border, but my last time over the Peace Bridge turned into a 2 1/2 hour adventure with legs crossed...and that's without being pulled over for inspection.

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2004 | 6MTs | Diamond Graphite/Graphite

 

For my 6MT sedan, I bought 16 inch rims and Michelin Arctic Alpins 215/60-16. I wanted a taller side wall and to keep to the same width because going wider in width ain't good for snow driving. So my mounted tires are sitting in my garage and all I need is some snow to test it out. Got a few flurries the other morning--maybe an omen of the winter to come in Philadelphia?

Dreams garnet fire/graphite leather 6MT 2003.5 premium/aero/winter hyperground kit

 

Last year, I put on my Blizzaks at the 1st snow the 1st week of October. We had a minor snowfall that melted quickly. Driest roads ever for the remainder of the year! Kept wishing for snow so I wouldn't wear the tires out too quickly. [img]/w3timages/icons/blush.gif[/img]Didn't snow again until January, and then we really got hit!

Let us know how the Alpins are. I also considered them last year. I've heard variable feedback on them. The FWD ppl seem to like them, but some with RWD drivers weren't as impressed.

<font color=green>GG</font color=green>

 

I had the LM22's on my Maxima for the last 3 winters. They were not too bad overall, but definately a bit too shallow tread for them to be effective for 3 seasons. I have the WS50's for the G waiting in the garage, and I feel the extra tread depth will be beneficial. I just have to keep it under 99.

04 G35s 6MT BS Aero Kit/Nav/Prem
Warning: Objects in Mirror Are Losing!

 

Any comments on Nokian WR's (other than they ain't cheap)?

From the site: "The Nokian WR is the next generation of "All Weather Plus" tires, replacing the wildly popular Nokian NRW. Nokian testing shows the WR offers significant improvements over the NRW in areas such as snow traction, slush-planning, and especially wet braking, without sacrificing the ride comfort and long tread life that Nokian customers have enjoyed for years. The Nokian WR carries a "mountain/snowflake" designation, which means it has passed the industry testing for severe winter driving and so it is officially a winter tire. But with a 50,000 mile treadlife warranty, and luxurious quiet ride, many of our customers drive the tire year round, saving themselves the expense and hassle of changing over their snow tires each year. Due to the exceptional snow and ice traction provided by the WR's unique tread compound and tread design, these tires must be used in sets of four to help ensure proper vehicle control."

Features

• High Dispersion Silica Compound (100% Silica)
• Arrowhead Tread Pattern (directional)
• Haka Siping
• Driving Safety Indicator
• Info Pin
• Severe Service Emblem
• Jointless Nylon Belt

Safety Benefits

• Provides excellent grip, longer mileage, and better rolling resistance while maintaining winter properties
• Unique tread positioning effectively expels water, snow and slush while providing "uncompromised" lateral grip
• Revolutionary siping system creates "rubber studs" in the tread resulting in improved grip while providing a higher level of stability during high speed driving
• DSI system uses number blocks displayed in the center of the tread area, indicating the safety level and remaining tread depth in millimeters
• Can inform driver of road conditions based on outside air temperature surrounding the tire
• Only four-season family of tires that carries the Severe Service Emblem exceeding new government snow condition regulations
• Helps prevent tread separations while providing a smooth, comfortable ride

Description: 225/55R17 101V XL Nokian WR Black Sidewall
Rim Widths: 6.0-7.0-8.0
Tread Depth: 12
Tread Width: 9.2
Diameter: 26.8
Load Index: 101
Speed Rating: V
Ply Rating: XL
Warranty: 50,000 mi.

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2004 | 6MTs | Diamond Graphite/Graphite