FRS in the Snow..

[Frishkorn]

Originally Posted by rmbstyle

Thanks for all the replies everyone! Are winter tires good to drive on for the whole winter season even if it only snows 3-4 times? Or is it best only to use them in the snow?

Get them sipped, I always had the same dilemma. The sipping not only helps on ice, but they help cool the tire on those days where it's dry out.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Frishkorn

Get them sipped, I always had the same dilemma. The sipping not only helps on ice, but they help cool the tire on those days where it's dry out.

You mean the stockers?
Never had it done.
Does it help grip in the summer as well?
Now I am curious!

[Frishkorn]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

You mean the stockers?
Never had it done.
Does it help grip in the summer as well?
Now I am curious!

No, I meant if you buy snow tires. I have done it on all season tires as well with past cars, but my driving is so sporadic in the summer (different road trips, multiple jobs) that I don't know if it helped with longevity of the tires in summer or not but rain grip increase was marginal. Grip increase is the most notable on ice.

First year I went with snow tires I had studded snow tires no sipping. Would slide coming to a stop if not careful about pumping brakes.

Second year I went stud-less with sipping, and the improvement to stopping was remarkable!

For those of you that don't know what the hell I'm on about... read about it [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siping_%28rubber%29"]Siping (rubber) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame].

[MikeyBatz]

Tried to drive to work this morning in 2-3 inches of fresh powdery snow, coulnt get out of drive way Went inside called in a sick day. I need to invest in winter tires or a 4x4 clunker.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Frishkorn

No, I meant if you buy snow tires. I have done it on all season tires as well with past cars, but my driving is so sporadic in the summer (different road trips, multiple jobs) that I don't know if it helped with longevity of the tires in summer or not but rain grip increase was marginal. Grip increase is the most notable on ice.

First year I went with snow tires I had studded snow tires no sipping. Would slide coming to a stop if not careful about pumping brakes.

Second year I went stud-less with sipping, and the improvement to stopping was remarkable!

For those of you that don't know what the hell I'm on about... read about it Siping (rubber) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Thanks!
The research I did in the brief period before your response shows very mixed thoughts on the benefits/drawbacks so a practical review helped.
I don't really notice any issues with my snows so think I will leave good enough alone for now.

[Takeshi]

The stock tires turn into that hard slick plastic sled material when they are surrounded by snow. It's not only inconvenient, but on a mild down slope, can be VERY dangerous. I got stuck last year trying to get home from work because I could not get up a very mild up slope. I tried like 10 times! It was embarrassing sitting sideways in the middle of a road when little corollas drive right by you.

[FR-S89]

I applaud your courage to even attempt driving it in 1.5 inches of snow without winter tires my friend

I have no problems with a new set of Michelin Xi3's. in fact i often pass AWD SUVs going too slow on the left lane

[stugray]

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

Where are the summer tire warriors.

"Ive driven to the peak of mount everest on stock tires. You just need experience and skill."

They are all dead.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by stugray

They are all dead.

Still stuck!

[STV3]

I've only had to drive my FRS in the snow 2 times. I'm on the stock tires, and while they def aren't ideal in the snow, they weren't the worst either. It was about 2" of snow and the only time I really had an issue was getting up my driveway, which is pretty steep. I eventually got up it though.

[rmbstyle]

Originally Posted by FR-S89

I applaud your courage to even attempt driving it in 1.5 inches of snow without winter tires my friend

I have no problems with a new set of Michelin Xi3's. in fact i often pass AWD SUVs going too slow on the left lane

Thanks, i knew it was going to be sketchy. But im confident in my driving, and was fine until i had to make a stop on a hill. The car could not get any traction and i was stuck for 10 min with a lot of traffic behind me. Luckily i was able to work the car to the median by letting it drift. I NEVER want to repeat that ever again so i gotta get snow tires asap.

[stugray]

Originally Posted by STV3

I've only had to drive my FRS in the snow 2 times. I'm on the stock tires, and while they def aren't ideal in the snow, they weren't the worst either. It was about 2" of snow and the only time I really had an issue was getting up my driveway, which is pretty steep. I eventually got up it though.

Sorry but - DO NOT DRIVE ON THE STOCK PRIMACY HPs in the SNOW - EVER

I have lived my entire life in Colorado and have NEVER chenged my tires from summer to winter tires.
I have always used All-season tires (so 30 years snow experinece, NEVER with snow tires).

SO I thought it would be the same with this car.
I drove out of my neighborhood one day in the snow and about 1 degree above freezing.
I did brake checks and steering checks before pulling out onto a freeway.

Then SPUN the car completely into oncoming traffic on the freeway.
It was partially the fault of the TC/VSC system, but the zero grip from the tires was the initial cause.

Never again - The Primacy HPs turn into polished granite below about 35 degrees...

I now have Hankook Winters and I can drive circles around some 4WD cars out there.

[AREN]

Take it from a Canadian 86er,...snow tires are worth their weight in gold! When the temperature hits below 7 degrees C the stock tire compound hardens, and pretty much turn into marbles below freezing temps.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by rmbstyle

I NEVER want to repeat that ever again so i gotta get snow tires asap.

All is cool guys! I think OP get's it.