Michelin Primacy Tires

About a week ago I have replaced Michelin Arctic Alpin tires on my car with Michelin Primacy Alpin PA3.

6 mm (1/4") tread leftover on Arctic Alpin tires was still providing solid grip on icy and slushy roads. This particular model was considered a champion on the ice covered pavement. Yet because of not too aggressive tread pattern it was not the greatest performer upon deep fresh snow condition. It started showing especially with the tread wearing out.

So I went shopping, and my first choice was Michelin X-Ice Xi2. I have the first incarnation of the X-Ice tires on my other car. X-Ice is an overall good winter performer, it kept me happy for the last four years thus defining my choice naturally. Local dealer though ran out of my size in X-Ice X-2, so I was offered to look into the Primacy tires for a few extra bucks.

So here I am driving on Michelin Primacy tires. Having gone through the snow/clear/snow/rain/clear cycle within last week I have been very happy with the Primacy's performance so far. It showed off the very next morning after the purchase, during my routine morning drive along Ottawa River Parkway after the overnight snowstorm and still snowing. While most of the vehicles were moving cautiously slow, and one car was sitting in the snow bank along the scenery route, I have not had any problem going within speed limit and getting to work in time.

Driving on Primacy tires on clear pavement is a bit noisy, considerably noisier than driving on Arctic Alpin. But I have to say that driving on Primacy tires has the closest resemblance to driving on All-Season tires out of all winter tires I have ever used. The feeling of "driving on pillows" is clearly gone. Handling is very much improved.

I will continue my observations and probably get back with more feedback, but so far I want to congratulate Michelin with the job well done. One more superb product to improve safety and pleasure of winter driving!