Guys just figured I'd share.

As many of you are aware, I purchased the Toyo Proxes4 about a month ago. These tires have been great so far, quiet, good ride, firm sidewall and good steering response/feel.

Well if you follow weather much at all you know Oklahoma especially north of Tulsa (where I now live) we got smacked with our first ever blizzard warning. By first ever, I really mean FIRST EVER. It was snowing and sleeting like a ***** thursday morning/afternoon. Got to work with no problem, went to lunch with a friend of mine and we got stock once in the parking lot as did two others. This had me really worried since I knew I had another 4 hours before I could leave. At 5 oclock the parking lot had snow depths ranging from 0 (yes zero because the wind was 40mph straight outta the north) to 9 inches. Saw two people get stuck in snow drifts in the 5 to 6 inch variety and the Toyo's cut right through it. In fact it didn't even come close to getting stuck. Friday we had 15 inches of snow on the ground, didn't get my car out all weekend. However this morning once again I had to drive the Maxima. Had about 12 inches of snow left right at the base of the garage door and drove over it with no drama and got down the driveway without issue. I made it down our incredibly icy and snow packed streets without drama. I say this is a fantastic tire definately one of the best if not the BEST tire for the money.

 

Niiiice to here. What size do you have? I plan to throw some on some 18s. I figure it'll be way better than my bridgestones on stock 17 anyway.

 

225/45/17 is the size I bought.

 

awesome to hear i got a set on my new rims comin friday

 

This is good to hear. I had read that these were decent tires in the snow, and as I don't have a winter set any longer, I'll probably be finding out for myself this winter just how good they are. Thanks for the review.

 

for this review. Given that they're ultra-high performance all-seasons, the only thing more impressive than their traction in the snow is their lateral grip. If I weren't in the unfortunate position of having a size in which the Proxes 4s have terrible sidewalls, I'd definitely be on my second set without a second thought.

 

I used mine in the snow a couple times when new also. They were decent, but once it gets below about 20 degrees the compound gets so hard that alot of the traction is lost on cold roads (even if they're clear/dry, if it's really super-cold the Proxes are slick).

As all-season tires go, they're probably th best aside from the Pilot A/S in snow and ice. They don't come close to even the high-performance winter tires, though (Blizzak LM-22/25 and Wintersport M2/M3) for snow grip.

 

I assume you're talking about in the dry/wet below 20* and not snow? Driving on snow tread temperature is meaningless. But yes most high performance and ultra high performance tires lose traction in cold weather.

 

which size would that be?

 

225/50/16 or 225/55/16.

 

Thanks for the review.

As for the drivers who got stuck in the deeper stuff, I'd say it's less to do with the tire and more to do with the driving technique and ride height. If your car is light and lowered with wide tires, it will end up sitting on the snow with no weight on the wheels. The key that I've found for deeper-than average snow (up to about the bottom of the front bumper) is to keep momentum going anywhere you're going thru fresh stuff. It's when you get stuck in shallower snow and spin your wheels when you know a tire is (not) getting the grip.

Dave

 

yes, I was referring to dry/wet, though the snow tires have better traction on packed snow as well, regardless of temperature. It's not even close, honestly.

 

nice to hear. I'm leaning more towards these tires everyday now and I have to pull the trigger one day. Did you put these on stock rims? I'm thinking 225/50/17 ....

 

Picked up for used 235-40-18 ones w/80% threadlife left from a friend of mine. Now to throw them on.

 

get 235/45/17 ftw

 

will they fit on my stock 17 rims? why this size?

 

i have 235/45/17 toyo proxes 4...and i love those tires, they're really good

 

better handling + easier to find size than the odd ball 225/50/17 stock size

 

hey come heck me out at STS on route 22 east in nortplainfield--- i sell toyo tires. you can call me at 908-561-3100(sam)

 

crap, you're all the way out in NJ.. if you are an STS dealer, do you have the proxy 4's? All STS stores that i called on Long Island have TPT's....

A=

 

sts had a deal of like a 75 dollar rebate the other month on four new toyo tires. it might still be running.

sam, im always in dunellen, and at golds gym. ill stop in sometime.

 

I also just picked up a set of these a few months back (225/50/17) and have been pleased with the snow traction so far. The stock Potenza's left me stuck many many times last winter. We've only had a couple real snowstorms this winter so far but the Proxes have handled everything with no problems.

 

I'm gonna have to disagree about the "better handling" part (though i agree it's harder to find 225/50/17)

on a 7" wide rim, the tire sidewall profile will be angled outward from the rim like this /___\ (road contact patch).

For ideal handling, it is preferable to have a vertical sidewall from the rim like this !___!

The rule of thumb for autocross is often "use the narrowest tire that is in-spec for the rim your are using"

a 235 width tire on a 7" wide rim actually results in less responsive handling in most circumstances compared to a 225 width on the same rim.

I know this two ways:
1. It's common knowledge in racing
2. I have personally used the same tires in 225/50/17 and 235/45/17 sizes on my stock 17s and the 235s handling could only be described as "sloppy."

More tread /= better handling. Just slightly more traction.

 

so would you suggest 235 on a 7.5'' rim then? Or just stick with 225 still?

 

This thread is about snow performance. The idea of largest contact patch goes completely out the window. In snow/rain, the tire has to penetrate the snow/water to reach surface, and you want the smallest reasonable contact patch for the wheel.

1 cm is not going to make a substantial difference in sidewall support.

Dave

 

ahh I see what you're saying.

Great point! it's funny..the 235/45/17's are cheaper than the 225/50/17's
The proxes4 in that size felt like an upgrade to me..but then again I stilll had the oem RE92's.

 

I was replying to burnass' comment about handling. The way i read it, the thread is about an all-season tire with decent snow performance. For "real" snow performance, a speed-rated winter tire is always preferable in terms of traction.

Like I said though, I've actually USED the Proxes4 in snow. Have you?


define "substantial"....

Dave, have you used the Proxes4 in both 225 and 235 widths? Well...I have. I've also used the Falken 512s in 225 and 235 widths. There is most certainly a difference in sidewall stiffness between the sizes, assuming the same rim width. On a 7" rim, 235s with medium-soft sidewalls (like the Proxes4) need to be as vertical as possible for best handling. Taper the sidewall out and handling WILL suffer. This is a well-known fact in performance driving and autocross circles. And I am speaking from personal, firsthand experience. True, it has less application to driving in snow....but again, if snow-only was his top priority, he would get Wintersport M3's or Blizzak LM-22/25's, which are good all-winter dry/wet/snow tires - but are no good for the summer due to temperature ratings.

 

That's because th RE92 is a POS.

the 225/50/17s are more expensive because they're not nearly as popular as the 235 all-around. And since they're the "OEM size" for several cars, Toyo charges more for them. You'll find similar price bumps in other brands for the 225/50/17 vs. 235/45/17.

Market forces at play!

 

no love for the Avon Tech M550s? I've used them in summer, Noah's Ark type of rain, and moderate snowfall (~8-10in) and I can't say enough good things about them. I feel safe on those tires and they have never let me down. You guys may have other experiences, but I know I'll be sticking to my Avons for my ultra high performance all season tire. Just wanted to post to throw another good option out there, at least IMO

 

I put the 550s on my wife's Mazda3 last month, since they were rated great for the snow and she doesn't get to have 'real' snow tires

The 550s have been excellent traction in the dry and rain, though she says (and I agree) that they feel "mushy and kind of unresponsive" compared to the stock Goodyears that came on that car (which have a stiffer sidewall).

That said, they handle a bit better than my Blizzak LM22's in the dry, and if they live up to the Tire Rack snow ratings, they will be well-worth their ultra-cheap price ($85 each!!).

 

Just got the Proxy 4's in the mail from TeadDepot. Got them for another member of the .org and got a deal on the shipping. Shipping just for 4 tires were $69.00! Called and spoke to Scott, said we were ordering 8 tires. Shipping was now $50.00 for the entire order!!!!! WOOHOO! Putting them on Sunday. Thanks for the 411 fellas!