Will I survive this winter?

[amram]

Originally Posted by Suberman

And another perspective:

http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/f...vs-summer.html

Thanks! that is an interesting read.

It would have been nice if they had tested 'Cold-wet' (< 40F) too like the C&D article, they only tested 'Warm-wet' (Pheonix, AX in May is 82F avg) because cold-wet is the other winter condition that's important to factor in (95-98% of my winter driving would be that in central NJ, edit - actually 70% would be cold-dry really, and 25-28% cold-wet) and that's where the compound of the all-seasons made them better than the winters.

Their results for all-seasons in snow are not too bad, similar to the C&D testing. 28' 40-0 is decent, 59' 60-0 is not that great, but one can try keeping longer following distances on highways to help with that. And .28g vs .30g is really not bad.

"And that brings us to our next test: full stops with ABS engaged. Here again the snow tires dominate, stopping from 40 mph in 156 feet, some 28 feet shorter than the all-season tires' 184-foot performance. Increase the starting speed to 60 mph and these distances more than double. It takes 362 feet for the snow tires to stop and 421 feet for the all-season donuts. Skid pad results follow the same now-predictable pattern. Our snow tires pull 0.30 lateral g, the all-seasons manage 0.28g and the summer tires produce a pitiful 0.15g despite a heroic effort by our shivering hot shoe."

Originally Posted by regal

All I care about in a winter tire is safely driving thru the snow, the rest is adequate for the street. Back road sprints are over once he winter shoes go one.

I guess that's the key point, even if 99% of most of ones winter driving may be on cold wet, it's the 1% time when you may end up needing that snow performance when you would be grateful that you have the winter tires (vs all-seasons)

My options at this point are -

1. keep the stock turanaza all-seasons. Pros - cheapest. Cons - turanzas are NOT good all-seasons like the michelin mxm4, they are shitty ones, so can't expect the above cold all-season results

2. get new michelin mxm4 all seasons on stock rims, sell the turanzas used. get a few bucks back to offset the michelins. Pros - cheaper than winter tires because of the cost offset, can keep em on all year, no changing hassle/cost. Better all-round performance than current (even in summer). Cons - better cold-wet but worse snow performance than winter tires for that 1-5% time I may need it.

3. get new winter tires (on new steelies, or used wrx/frs rims). Pros - acceptable cold-wet and cold-dry, but best peace of mind in the 1-5% chance of snow when I may need it, Cons - most expensive, need to change the tires twice a year so addnl hassle/cost.

1 is too risky for me, so it's either 2 or 3.

3 is the best (peace of mind) insurance but 2 is not a bad option either i guess.... oh decisions decisions

[Jaywest717]

When exactly or in what situation should I get snow tires? We are getting 3 inches of snow this weekend and I'm not sure if that's enough to justify spending $600+ dollars for the change. Also, I know next to nothing about tire installation. Could I have this done at my dealership?

[regal]

Originally Posted by Jaywest717

When exactly or in what situation should I get snow tires? We are getting 3 inches of snow this weekend and I'm not sure if that's enough to justify spending $600+ dollars for the change. Also, I know next to nothing about tire installation. Could I have this done at my dealership?

It is imerative to get snow tires or at least all seasons. The stock tire is a summer tire, what that means it the compound just doesn't work in the snow or below freezing.


Or park it on bad days and buy a $1k beater.

[Jaywest717]

I see. These are the same stock tires as on the Toyota Prius, right? Did those drivers have issues when driving through the snow as well?

I'll start shopping around.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Jaywest717

When exactly or in what situation should I get snow tires? We are getting 3 inches of snow this weekend and I'm not sure if that's enough to justify spending $600+ dollars for the change. Also, I know next to nothing about tire installation. Could I have this done at my dealership?

Well, Jaywest717, I reckon that depends on where you live. If your winter has several "snow days" or below freezing temperatures, I agree with regal, it would be best to get at least some good all-season tires for your FR-S.

That way you can run them part of the year and switch to the OEM tires during the spring - fall.

It's not necessary to go back to the dealer, any good tire shop can fix you up. Personally, I like the Goodyear Eagle Sports that I put on for winter.

A good place to review tires and get some good prices is here:

http://www.tirerack.com/

If you don't want to get some different tires ..... drive very carefully when the roads freeze.....

humfrz

[Suberman]

Originally Posted by Jaywest717

I see. These are the same stock tires as on the Toyota Prius, right? Did those drivers have issues when driving through the snow as well?

I'll start shopping around.

These are the premium Prius tires fitted to European Prius optionally. They aren't fitted to North American Prius.

The stock tires can't even handle wet roads well. Snow is just a no go.

[bcj]

Originally Posted by humfrz

Personally, I like the Goodyear Eagle Sports that I put on for winter.

I took this advise and put a set of these on last weekend. Got a Black Friday discount to $101 per tire at the Goodyear dealer.

We don't get a lot of heavy snow here in western Washington. Usually just a few days of slush at a time.
Cold traction is the concern. Hit 19 deg. F last night but the sun is out today.

They don't seem to be any louder than stock. Liking them so far.

[Jakeedaman21]

Its been -20F the last week in Montana, with the roads all covered in ice and hard pack snow. I have stock tires, and no money to get anything else. Have I survived? Yes. You just have to take certain precautions, and understand that you will be going very slowly. Turning very slowly, only accelerating in straight lines, and breaking far ahead of time.

Stock tires do not mean that you will crash, being a bad driver and pushing your equipment past their abilities in the conditions means you will crash. In fact, nearly every accident around here that I have seen is from idiots in big 4x4 vehicles with studded snow tires going too fast.

[regal]

Originally Posted by Jakeedaman21

Stock tires do not mean that you will crash, being a bad driver and pushing your equipment past their abilities in the conditions means you will crash..

Its not being a bad driver its the ingrained habit of aggressive driving in the spring/summer/fall and then being caught off guard with 1/4" of invisible snow at 30F at night. That's what ruins your day.

[Suberman]

Originally Posted by regal

Its not being a bad driver its the ingrained habit of aggressive driving in the spring/summer/fall and then being caught off guard with 1/4" of invisible snow at 30F at night. That's what ruins your day.

You will crash in winter if you drive on stock tires on ice or in snow. You will crash. Driving skill won't enter into it. Luck might but nobody can be that lucky indefinitely.

[s0sl0w]

Originally Posted by Jertronic

Ha no kidding. Well if I have major traction issues or lack thereof I will be changing the tires out for snows and steelies prolly. The purchase and change will not happen until I actually drive on snow and ice with what I have first.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just buy the snow tires and install them, the rest of us don't need the rate hike when you smash your car and it's the smart thing to do.

Learn to trust the overwhelming evidence that says the tires you have now will suck in the white stuff.

[humfrz]

It seems we all have a slightly different take on this subject.

Personally, I like to error on the side of being conservative and I have the "proper tires" mounted for the "fringe" situations.

Yes, I have driven many ah mile on snow/ ice covered roads and have acquired the skills to maneuver a RWD car under those conditions.

What I CANNOT CONTROL are the OTHER drivers out there that have NO IDEA of how to drive on snow covered roads. Therefore, I run tires that would give me a better chance to "escape & evade" the inept drivers that I'm "sharing" the slick roads with.

OR ....... "do you feel lucky?"

humfrz

[Jaywest717]

No. I just got back from driving my car in less than an inch of snow and ice outside. I only drove to get some food which is literally three minutes away and in a residential neighborhood. I was doing "maybe" 5 mph going up a small hill and the rear of the car was already swerving to the left and right slightly.

Now I'm a big Gran Turismo (video game) fan so I was mentally prepared for this kind of situation and kept the car under control, but...seriously...I'm buying snow tires on my very next paycheck. This lack of traction with these tires is ridiculous!!

[Iand518]

Ridiculous is a perfect description for the stock tires grip in any snow. We only see 12" of snow in an average year, and I almost crashed a dozen times last year running the stock tires. DON'T RISK IT! Fenders are expensive. I'm run A/S this year. What a huge improvement on snow cover roads.