Retrodiver wrote:
I've heard (not sure on the validity) that winter tires are not good for wet road conditions; worse than all-seasons.
If this is true, then would it be recommended that I do not install my winter tires by this weekend, when we are expected to have warmer temperatures and heavy rain?
Some truth to that statement. All tires have their pros and cons. On Consumer Reports Michelin X-Ice Xi3 and Xi2 are the top rated tires at 62 points. For snow traction and ice breaking it has the top excellent rating while for dry braking and wet braking it has the bottom poor ranking. Hydroplaning it is rated fair. The third ranked tire is Hankook i*cept evo which rates 60 points. For snow traction it rates second at very good and ice breaking is in the middle at good. However, for dry braking it rates two notches better at good and one notch better at fair for wet braking. It also rates very good for hydroplaning. I decided to purchase the Hankooks since the tradeoff for excellent snow traction and ice breaking with the Michelins is offset by the better wet and dry braking and hydroplaning performance. If I lived further up north then the Michelin X-Ice Xi3 would be more appealing to me.