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We just picked up an awesome Tasman Blue Defender 110 P400 HSE and I'm loving it! At Niagara Falls with the dog.
I'm already looking into winter tires with winter quickly approaching. The dealership's packages did not appeal to me and like everyone else on here I'm unpleased with the winter tire options in the 255/60R20 size. I want to run Blizzaks, Nokias, or Michelin winter tires.
I used this calculator https://tiresize.com/calculator/ to determine the closest tires sizes that would fit on the 20in wheels with an 8.5 width. The two best options appeared to be 275/55R20 and 245/60R20. The 275/55R20 has a -0.3% difference in diameter & the 245/60R20 has a -1.2% difference in diameter.
Mathematically the 275/55R20s seem best and I figured that more surface area connecting with the ground would be advantageous when driving over snow and ice. Turns out I was wrong and having a narrower tire is preferable when driving on snow and ice. I found this quote about winter tire width "But for winter tires, Wiebe notes that “narrower is generally better. Wide tires are great under optimum conditions if you’re driving the car hard. Most other conditions, the width isn’t helping you. Furthermore, in snow and ice, they tend to stay on top of the hazard. They don’t cut down to where the grip is, which is on the road surface. If you can get away with going narrower, that’s going to be number one.”" source- https://www.autotrader.ca/newsfeatur...-tire-secrets/
After reading that I'm torn between the two sizes, with one being narrower and the other being closer in size. Michelin, Nokia and Blizzaks come in both of those sizes.
Does anyone run either 275/55R20 or 245/60R20 on their defender? What is your experience with them? Thanks in advance!
Last edited by BlueSteelDefender; 10-05-2021 at 02:04 PM.
In the same boat as you, although I am worse off in the 255/65/19 OEM wheels and tires. The Land Rover user guide suggests the Continental TS 850 P SUVs in my wheel size, however, such a tire does not seem to exist state side. For 20" OEM wheels, the same guide recommends the Pirelli Scorpion in the 255/60/20, however, it also recommends the Nokian Hakkapelliitta R3 SUV in 275/55/20. As long as you have OEM wheels, should be good to go with 275/55/20. This is what I am likely to do after securing some 20" wheels. Good luck!
It depends. Narrow will work better in deep snow, cutting through the snow to where there is traction. Wider will work better on ice. I just ordered 275 Conti Viking Contact 7s for Colorado ski trips. Couldn't find a good source for Hakas locally, though I've run Nokians with good results in the past.
I went with Nokian Hakka R3 SUV winter tires in 275/55/20. (On a second set of 20" wheels I bought off ebay) Took my tire guy about 3 weeks to get these tires, so order soon. Also, I ordered 5...if I blow out a sidewall on a pothole mid-winter I'm sure I won't be able to get a replacement tire.
I've run these Nokians on our LR4's for years and they are great. It's not as much about getting traction as it is about braking and turning the weight of the Defender.
Nokians also have deeper sipes than other winter tires. Will provide ice traction until the snowflake symbol wear indicator is gone. Blizzaks are good too, as long as you don't run them past half-worn. when the sipes are gone and they turn into all season tires.
Just wanted to double check. There are quite a few tires winter tires available in 275/55R20 in the market compared to the 255/60R20. So I was gonna order something in 275/55R20. I can’t locate the Nokian’s as recommended by LR. Does it matter if I choose Bridgestone or Continental, as long the size and speed rating spec matches?
Just wanted to double check. There are quite a few tires winter tires available in 275/55R20 in the market compared to the 255/60R20. So I was gonna order something in 275/55R20. I can’t locate the Nokian’s as recommended by LR. Does it matter if I choose Bridgestone or Continental, as long the size and speed rating spec matches?
Pirelli makes some winter tires with higher speed ratings but speed rating for high speed cornering isn't as important with the Defender. Nobody is taking a Defender to a track in winter. However, look for a winter tire with an XL load rating.
From my experience, not all winter tires are created equal. Some are better in deep fluffy snow, some are better on ice. The Nokians do it all, deep snow, solid ice and even wet slushy snow which can be the most difficult surface. Here in the northeast near the ocean it seems to rain before or after it snows, so slush is common.
My experience on my LR4 suggests the Pirelli Scorpions are not a suitable tire. Their quality was inconsistent and their grip insufficient. I would not follow JLR's recommendations on either the Goodyears or the Pirellis. There exist much better options.
Pirelli makes some winter tires with higher speed ratings but speed rating for high speed cornering isn't as important with the Defender. Nobody is taking a Defender to a track in winter. However, look for a winter tire with an XL load rating.
From my experience, not all winter tires are created equal. Some are better in deep fluffy snow, some are better on ice. The Nokians do it all, deep snow, solid ice and even wet slushy snow which can be the most difficult surface. Here in the northeast near the ocean it seems to rain before or after it snows, so slush is common.
I live in a ski town and the Blizzsaks are definitely king. The said, I went with the Nokians with the titanium studs on my Porsche and they have been incredible. I will definitely buy them again next time.
Beware though, they tend to sell out early season
10-05-2021, 10:07 AM
Size up or down for winter tires??
