Snow or Ice Driving Questions/Concerns/Experiences /Tires
01-02-17, 03:27 PM
#106
Yea, you can't go wrong with either or. The blizzaks are great because they are a dedicated winter tire, but then the KO2s have mountain/snowflake symbol on them which means that they meet certain severe snow service requirements.
Personally I'd go with the GX. But in all honesty if the roads are really THAT bad, it might be safer at times to just pull over at a safe/warm place and wait things out. Much better than being stranded at the side of the road.
Personally I'd go with the GX. But in all honesty if the roads are really THAT bad, it might be safer at times to just pull over at a safe/warm place and wait things out. Much better than being stranded at the side of the road.
The following users liked this post:
zbab31 (01-03-17)
01-02-17, 04:23 PM
#107
Wider tires on the GX (correct?) and a heavier true truck to cut through the snow 
01-02-17, 04:32 PM
#108
Lexus Champion
Wider tires? No. Narrow tall tires cut thru snows. That is why winter tires are mounted on one size down rims. I live in snow/cold country. Tonight it'll be -25C, snow on the ground. If RX hybrid, shoud be in snow mode. No matter what drive for the road condition.
The following users liked this post:
tqh (01-02-17)
01-02-17, 04:56 PM
#109
Racer
true, thinner tires cut thru rain and snow and less likely to skid around.
But also when snow gets really deep, like up in alaska, they use big big tires to keep above snow.
The following users liked this post:
tqh (01-02-17)
01-02-17, 09:08 PM
#110
Pole Position
If the driving is on highways and interstates I'd take the RX with the snow tires. Snow tires are the most important factor when dealing with...snow.
With that said, I wouldn't be too worried about the GX either.
With that said, I wouldn't be too worried about the GX either.
The following 2 users liked this post by bd5400:
QualityNut (09-13-19),
zbab31 (01-03-17)
01-02-17, 11:09 PM
#111
Lexus Champion
Summer tire rubber starts to harden at 7 deg. C. Hard rubber won't give good traction no matter how good the tire is. Winter tire rubber compound stays soft even if it gets cold. Get going with either tire is not much a problem but when stopping, sudden emergency maneuvers winter tire is always better in snow and cold weather.
01-03-17, 06:49 AM
#113
I think the only thing GX with KO2 will be better at is going through some really deep snow. When staying on a road and encountering slippery/icy conditions I would give preference to Blizzaks as it's a dedicated snow tire.I would not want to encounter black ice in a GX with KO2. Not that I want with Blizzaks either but with KO2 you will have no chance whatsoever.
Just look at the difference in siping (very important to deal with the slippery stuff) and it becomes pretty obvious which tire is superior. Plus Blizzaks will have a proper winter compound on top of it.
Last edited by Quadro; 01-03-17 at 08:21 AM.
01-03-17, 07:06 AM
#114
It's not just a tire that makes me recommend BF KO2. It's a car that they are mounted on.
Call me old-fashioned, but I trust GX with 4WD, Torsen diff, good old V8, and ability to start on the 2nd gear than a Hybrid RX with AWD (which is excellent car on its own).
Call me old-fashioned, but I trust GX with 4WD, Torsen diff, good old V8, and ability to start on the 2nd gear than a Hybrid RX with AWD (which is excellent car on its own).
01-03-17, 07:10 AM
#115
4WD system in the GX is far superior no doubt about that. However if you just going to stay on a road the AWD system in the RX is going to be good enough. And stopping/cornering with Blizzaks will be far safer. Of course the ideal choice is GX with a true snow tire. Personally I would give RX + Blizzaks an edge just from a safety perspective.
01-03-17, 10:10 AM
#116
Driver School Candidate
I'd go with the RX with the Blizzaks as those are dedicated snow tires. The only issue I can think of is the hybrid system in your vehicle. I used to own a 2010 Prius and it was horrible when I got stuck in the snow. Disabling the traction control system was not as simple as pressing a button, I had to perform a series of steps in order to disable it. Not sure if it's the same on your RX.
You also can't go wrong with the GX, but keep in mind the laws of physics when driving in snow, it's not the same as rain or dry pavement.
You also can't go wrong with the GX, but keep in mind the laws of physics when driving in snow, it's not the same as rain or dry pavement.
01-03-17, 10:12 AM
#117
Driver School Candidate
01-03-17, 10:17 AM
#120
Driver School Candidate
i wonder if the rubber is soft and does well at low temps or if it is just a winter tire because of the depth of the tread? i have never in my life given this much thought about tires...the guy at the tire place was unsure too!