Hankook Optimo 4S All Weather Tire For Passenger & CUV

I waited over 2 years to write this review to see how these tires would be. I used to get anxious when winter came around as I was not used to winter driving (am from a tropical island). I would get stuck in my old all season Hankook tires in my car in the slightest amount of snowfall. I dreaded winter driving. Not anymore. Bought these tires late 2015 and even though I mainly drive around town with an occasional trip on the 407/401 highways, I still have a lot of traction left. I have rotated them and have driven in snowstorms to TO and other places, adjusting to driving conditions of course. Wow. Changed my life (winter driving that is). Would definitely buy them again!

These tires were great for about a year and a half and performed well in snow and ice conditions when relatively new. I find that they still feel decent after that time (coming up to two years), but the tread pattern has worn out relatively quick on the dry season roads of western Canada. Was told by Canadian tire months ago that they should be replaced. Maybe useful as a surrogate for winter tires for about half the year, but not for extended driving on dry roads where the tread will wear quickly.

Purchased in November 2016, great the first winter. 2nd winter they slid on ice and hard packed snow a bit. On June 1, 2018 I took the car in for routine maintenance and was told 2 of the tires are down to 2/32 and need to be replaced. That's 18 months...about 18,000 km.

This is my third set of Optimo 4s, an all weather award winning (Germany’s Blue Angel) yet inexpensive tire. To be honest, I expected the winter rubber side of the tire to wear too fast in the hot summer. It didn’t! For safety reasons, I change the tires just before the wear marker bars are at the tread, after about 75,000 km or five years. This is comparable in cost to running a more expensive all season tire, longer. I would rate these tires for grip in between a dedicated winter tire and a conventional all season, absolutely good enough for Ontario winters. It does exhibit a bit of road whine but one easily gets use to that. I have had them on two different cars, of course enjoying not to have to change them seasonally. They are made in both Korea and China so if you buy them, insist the four you buy are from either one of the countries but not both. I have had mixed sets brought to me twice but with a discussion, Cdn Tire staff have gone back to store stock and provided a set from the same country. I also check the four digit date on the tires to be sure they are about the same age, within six months of each other. First 2#s are the week of manufacture while the last 2#s are the year.

I bought these December 2016, they've lasted all but just over 40k and a year and a half. Was ok at first but wore out too quickly. Not worth the money. I'm replacing them with the Michelin defender much longer warranty... And km rating.