Newbie to RWD and Ice/Snow, any suggestions??

[flyboy]

@Overdrive thanks for all the advise. I think a trickle charger wouldn't be a bad thing. As they say prevention is better than cure. I have had a dead battery on my motorcycle and a car. I guess it was just because of the fact that it sat they for couple of weeks then drive a week and sat again for few more weeks.

BTW, I got a quote for the 205/55/16; the Blizzaks WS80 are $798 and Nokian 8's(studded) are for $822. The wheels are extra $380, but will try to find if I can get them cheaper somewhere. I am getting more inclined for the studded Nokians because of the ice and it wears out much less and seems to be pretty close to a performance tire too.
@Guru I don't understand the winter beater concept either. Not that rich either to afford two cars and take care of them all.

The steel wheels though, what are the specs for that? 16x6.5 5-100 or something different?

My only concern is the drive from the parking lot to the tire store (a 3 mile journey). It hasn't snowed in a while though. Any suggestions, should I be worried coz of the stock tires on them. Will take it really slow.

[flyboy]

Originally Posted by FR-Sky

Just let you know there is a button under the steer wheel that can turn it on and off. Maybe it is off. @@ You should try it, maybe you are the lucky one too ^^

p.S this is a magical button that other FRS dont have !!!

Haha, I will look for that. I am out of town for few.. can't wait to gete back to get it all preped up for the winter and drive around!

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by flyboy

@Overdrive thanks for all the advise. I think a trickle charger wouldn't be a bad thing. As they say prevention is better than cure. I have had a dead battery on my motorcycle and a car. I guess it was just because of the fact that it sat they for couple of weeks then drive a week and sat again for few more weeks.

BTW, I got a quote for the 205/55/16; the Blizzaks WS80 are $798 and Nokian 8's(studded) are for $822. The wheels are extra $380, but will try to find if I can get them cheaper somewhere. I am getting more inclined for the studded Nokians because of the ice and it wears out much less and seems to be pretty close to a performance tire too.
@Guru I don't understand the winter beater concept either. Not that rich either to afford two cars and take care of them all.

The steel wheels though, what are the specs for that? 16x6.5 5-100 or something different?

My only concern is the drive from the parking lot to the tire store (a 3 mile journey). It hasn't snowed in a while though. Any suggestions, should I be worried coz of the stock tires on them. Will take it really slow.

will need a wheel bore size of 56.1

[gravitylover]

Really, just head for a salvage yard and grab some wheels from another Subaru like a Forester or older WRX/2.5RS if you want 16". You should be able to get them pretty inexpensively, certainly less than $380. I use the 17's from an Outback. The few mm's difference in offset is pretty meaningless IMO and this is the third winter I'm running them with no problems. Get the studded tires or an ice tire where you are, I'm not sold on the WS80's being the best choice.

Originally Posted by flyboy

@Overdrive thanks for all the advise. I think a trickle charger wouldn't be a bad thing. As they say prevention is better than cure. I have had a dead battery on my motorcycle and a car. I guess it was just because of the fact that it sat they for couple of weeks then drive a week and sat again for few more weeks.

BTW, I got a quote for the 205/55/16; the Blizzaks WS80 are $798 and Nokian 8's(studded) are for $822. The wheels are extra $380, but will try to find if I can get them cheaper somewhere. I am getting more inclined for the studded Nokians because of the ice and it wears out much less and seems to be pretty close to a performance tire too.
@Guru I don't understand the winter beater concept either. Not that rich either to afford two cars and take care of them all.

The steel wheels though, what are the specs for that? 16x6.5 5-100 or something different?

My only concern is the drive from the parking lot to the tire store (a 3 mile journey). It hasn't snowed in a while though. Any suggestions, should I be worried coz of the stock tires on them. Will take it really slow.

[Guru Woodman]

+ on the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8's. The name alone is worth it. We are not allowed to have studded tires here but if I could it would have been my choice.

[ChinatownDragon]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

If you are on stock tires don't drive if under 7C degrees (44F) even if there is NO snow. Snow is not the issue with summer tires the cold is.
With snow tires the number becomes closer to 14 inches (35cm).

14 inches on stock height only right? I put Blizzaks on but still have yet to find enough courage to drive on any snow. Used to be a wild child and go out in blizzards in my camry with all seasons though

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by Guru Woodman

+ on the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8's. The name alone is worth it. We are not allowed to have studded tires here but if I could it would have been my choice.

I sometimes miss studded tires!

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by ChinatownDragon

14 inches on stock height only right? I put Blizzaks on but still have yet to find enough courage to drive on any snow. Used to be a wild child and go out in blizzards in my camry with all seasons though

Nope. I am dropped 1 1/2 and have had zero issues up to 14 inches of snow. That is the deepest I have come across yet so don't really know where my limit is. Now, that was nice fluffy stuff so that helped. Since I usually am the first one to leave my street in the mornings I am frequently the snowplow for the neighbors. They tolerate my noise because I leave a nice 3 inch high path for them.
I would rather drive thorough deep snow than packed snow/ice anyway.

[daiheadjai]

Be gentle with all your inputs: no hard braking or flooring the gas, or quick direction changes. Look farther ahead so you can anticipate your next move.
Smooth is safe.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

[flyboy]

@Guru just the sound of the name makes you want to get them, Hakkapeliitta means light cavalry men. I guess it will be the Nokians.

Didn't knew studs were not allowed in Canada! Thanks for all the advise though guys. I hope I can find the steelies, but it shouldn't be a problem 1 out of every 2 cars is a Subaru in Anchorage!!

[Overdrive]

I think finding used Subaru wheels is a good choice suggested to you a few posts back. You should be able to get a set cheaply. They don't have to be pretty and perfect, just whole and able to hold air and be balanced. The offset is close enough that fitment will work and you won't have any concerns of rubbing or contacting brake/suspension pieces. Buying new steelies is kinda highway robbery. Find a used set that someone else ate the new cost on, and save yourself some money. You might even find a set of used wheels with tires for sale locally like I did, and spend less than half that high cost you posted earlier for a set of wheels with tires mounted, maybe even with TPMS already installed, too.

Also, make sure you get a maintainer and not just a charger. A maintainer will stop charging fully when the battery is 100%, and then just maintains (heheh) the full charge safely from there so your battery doesn't get overcharged.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Overdrive

..............
Word of warning, make sure you plug the battery in as soon as you're parked in the garage. If the battery cools down and ends up frozen, you do not want to attempt charging a frozen battery. If you start charging it before it can cool that far though, it'll be fine.............

.

Good essay, there Overdrive ......

But, you lost me when you talked about a battery freezing, when it's in your car parked, in a garage.

Where in the USA do you live .....?? I figure if a battery freezes inside of a garage, it is either very low on charge ........ OR you really need to move to a warmer climate ......


humfrz

[Guru Woodman]

Originally Posted by flyboy

@Guru just the sound of the name makes you want to get them, Hakkapeliitta means light cavalry men. I guess it will be the Nokians.

Didn't knew studs were not allowed in Canada! Thanks for all the advise though guys. I hope I can find the steelies, but it shouldn't be a problem 1 out of every 2 cars is a Subaru in Anchorage!!

How cool is that! A Hakkapeliitta riding through a Hakkapeliitta




I had to settle for the R2's. Also an amazing winter tire.

[Overdrive]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Good essay, there Overdrive ......

But, you lost me when you talked about a battery freezing, when it's in your car parked, in a garage.

Where in the USA do you live .....?? I figure if a battery freezes inside of a garage, it is either very low on charge ........ OR you really need to move to a warmer climate ......


humfrz

Not talking from a personal experience there, just something I know can happen, and according to the OP he deals with much lower temps on the regular than I do, and below freezing at that. Why take a chance? Plug it in when you park it on that last day of driving, and never worry about the car being dead.