Winter Tires? - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

hpurchase · 09-25-2009, 19:25

Hi, has anyone used the Michelin all-season tires that come with the 2008 or 2009 Escapes, during a winter? I am tossing around the idea of using my almost new all-seasons for the first winter and going with winter tires next year. I have done this in the past many times and it's worked out, but I am not sure about the Escape's tires that are supposedly designed to improve fuel economy. Thanks in advance for any info.

**360ci** · 10-07-2009, 17:10

Fuel economy in winter? I would just leave them on unless you plan going out driving right after a heavy snowfall. Even so, any vehicle would benefit from a winter tire as the rubber is more pliable in colder temperatures whereas A/S tires are still pliable, but all I do with my vehicles is lower the air pressure a bit in winter, to around 30psi providing max pressure is 35-40psi. I generally run 34-36psi in my passenger ('P' designated) tires in the summer months for better handling, mileage and wear. Lowering the air pressure even by a few pounds can increase grip in any tire, even winter tires although there is no real need for it. I wouldn't be concerned with fuel economy in the winter unless you just hop in, start up the vehicle and drive without any warm up time. Where I travel in winter hotels don't ask you if you want a smoking or non-smoking room, they ask you if you want a cord to plug in your vehicles block heater so when you leave in the morning at -52C, you'll actually be able to leave!