I have driven it over the last few days in the snow and ice and was not impressed. Not sure it was worse than my Chevy sedan but it sure was no Suburban K1500 - I guess that makes me a little spoiled.
The Hankook site describes the tire as low cost " high performance radial designed for serious driving excitement. The radical v-shaped tread pattern efficiently disperses water without compromising speed or handling."
This does not sound like what I want my daughter using as an all season tire. I asked my mechanic and a local tire shop (taken with a grain of salt) and both said the tires would be fine. A co-worker who is an enthusiast agreed that a high performance tire is likely not setup with the proper compounds and tread to work in all seasons.
I see these option but I am very open to your valued input.
1. leave these on - maybe I don't kow as much about tires as I thought and without significant investment in new rubber, I won't see much of a change.
2. buy winter tires and switch every spring/fall. ($350-$500 for the tires and another $120 each twice a year to switch the rubber)
3. Buy winter tires and steel wheels and switch them as a set spring and fall. ($450-$600 for the set and then another $60 or my labor to unmount and remount the wheels - also consider storage of these in an already full garage)
4. Try to sell this set of rubber for maybe $150 and use that towards buying a set of all season tires. Probably costs me $400 installed before crediting the sale of the current tires - if I can find a buyer.
With the vast amount of tire knowledge and experience that you all have, I am looking for guidance. Please help.