Stock tires usage in winter?

[ShoGun]

While we're on the topic of weather. How well do the stock tires hold up in the rain? Or ability to avoid hydroplaning ?

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by mezdup

Say we do opt for winter tires, when would be the time to put them on? First snowfall? Towards the beginning of Fall? And if we do put them on, will they be badly worn if it doesn't snow? Any help is appreciated.

Typically when it gets below 40 degrees Fahrenheit is when summer compounds become useless. Thought last winter, it snowed right before Thanksgiving here. Betcha everyone was caught pants down, too. I certainly still had my summers on at that point, but luckily it only snowed north of where I was at the time.

[Furtive]

I'll be definitely getting winter tires for mine.. Alaskan weather sigh*

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Furtive

I'll be definitely getting winter tires for mine.. Alaskan weather sigh*

More like you'll be getting summer tires for yours

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by ShoGun

While we're on the topic of weather. How well do the stock tires hold up in the rain? Or ability to avoid hydroplaning ?

I had some initial issues that I later decided was a combination of new tires and dealer induced detailing goop on the threads.

After the tires were broken in (about 500 miles) they seem to do fine in the rain. I drove in a blinding rainstorm at around 1000 miles with absolutely no issues. In fact, I had to remind myself to slow down. More details in my Owner's Journal here.

[mla163]

Considering that this is a light, rear wheel drive car with "summer" tires stock. I am planning on getting dedicated winter tires.

It rarely snows heavily here in VA, but I wouldn't want to drive summer tires when it dips below 40 degrees.

The skinny stock wheels make the most sense for mounting winter tires. The problem is - what do you do with the stock tires?

I had the same problem on my WRX. It came with crappy all seasons. I tried my best to cook them off at a few autocrosses. I ended up running them reluctantly for 60000 miles.

[tinger00]

Originally Posted by mla163

Considering that this is a light, rear wheel drive car with "summer" tires stock. I am planning on getting dedicated winter tires.

It rarely snows heavily here in VA, but I wouldn't want to drive summer tires when it dips below 40 degrees.

The skinny stock wheels make the most sense for mounting winter tires. The problem is - what do you do with the stock tires?

I had the same problem on my WRX. It came with crappy all seasons. I tried my best to cook them off at a few autocrosses. I ended up running them reluctantly for 60000 miles.

I was thinking the same thing.. I already dismounted the stock tires and mounted them on a set of 17x8's that I was using on the Forester. I hope they wear down sooner than later.

[mike2100]

I'm thinking about moving the stock tires over to a set of lightweight aftermarket wheels and mounting a set of all seasons on the stock wheels. Even after I move to Maryland I can't see the need for winter tires. Driving around on winter tires waiting for it to snow when it might not does not sound like a fun way to spend 3 months.

I drove my Miata home from work one day in about 6-8" of snow with high performance all seasons (Falken Ziex 912). No stability control, no traction control, no ABS, a limited slip differential, and an empty trunk (no spare)... yeah it was fun. I made it home without incident but didn't get over about 30mph.
I figure with all the nannies I can at least get home on all seasons with this car.
Then if I need to get back to work I'll take the wife's Impreza

[xcelir8brz]

For all your sanity, please get some winter tires and aftermarket rims. That's what I did and 16" work just fine. Have them up on my Tire Rack that I bought from Tire Rack (<- That's funny) ready for around Thanksgiving to do the swap.