Is this car traction limited for some reason?

[mkiisupra]

Originally Posted by NetMagi

Except for a few exceptions (vehicles designed to operate on top of the snow) narrower than summer tires is always better in the winter. You want a small contact patch with lots of the cars weight on it.

-Rich H.

Thanks for stating this. I have already said the same thing in another threads about snow tires and traction.

OP: I think its the lightweight car that is the culprit here. The traction nannies help, but most are saying its still an effort to move with speed on snow/ice. I'm guessing that most drivers who want to use their cars in winter conditions may resort to the 'sand tubes' most pickups and other RWD cars need in the trunk for some circumstances (like that one 'hill' that ices up due to the old school brick roadbed, ask me how I know...)

Eric G

[Tt3Sheppard]

I think by the time it snows down here in MA my snow tires will be worn out from this nice weather.

[rapidcars]

Originally Posted by Tt3Sheppard

I think by the time it snows down here in MA my snow tires will be worn out from this nice weather.

Same here. I think next year I'm waiting for the first forecast of snow before switching them on.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Tt3Sheppard

I think by the time it snows down here in MA my snow tires will be worn out from this nice weather.

-_- Same. It keeps jumping between low 40s and high 50s. I put mine on later than I did last year and I'm still thinking I could have waited; I was just tired of night time driving in the moisture, which wasn't pleasant on the OEM tires at 40^F.

[Rayme]

Originally Posted by Tt3Sheppard

I think by the time it snows down here in MA my snow tires will be worn out from this nice weather.

Don't fret. I have yet to see evidence that winter tires wears faster on dry pavement / summer. Some people use them all years long here, including me...

But I don't know how you drive

[jesperswe]

With everything turned off, my god i've never driven a more tail happy car in snow!
I can't turn in a intersection without going sideways even at 5mph But i like it, it's fun, hehe.

But if i keep traction control on and just go easy around it feels like any other car except ther slip light is constantly blinking, hehe.

[Tt3Sheppard]

Yea I suppose better safe than sorry with the snow tires. I just can't wait for the first real snow fall. Now I just need to find some empty parking lots.

[dsgerbc]

Originally Posted by NetMagi

You want a small contact patch with lots of the cars weight on it.

Tire width barely affects contact patch size. Total contact patch area = (roughly) weight/tire PSI. Tire width affects contact patch shape. So what you said makes no sense whatsoever. You'd still want narrow tire, but not for the reason you gave.

2 OP: how many miles do you have on your winter tires? My Xi3s were very slippery for the first 1-2 hundred miles (normal for all tires). It's okay now, unless it's wet and 60s. Then it's like I'm driving on ice :P

[Khyron686]

I've driven mine in some crazy snow/ice and it's just because it's lighter than what you're used to. I have studded hanooks with 2 40lb salt bags in the trunk. Might put a third in there.

Mighty fun.

[NOHOME]

I guess what I was looking for was design considerations. The weight thing never had a lot of validity with me since the car has plenty of weight and it is well balanced front to rear. My Miata was a snowmobile compared to the FRS and never made for a lack of confidence in snow conditions. I could however, always tell if a Miata had a sandbag in the trunk because it was traveling backwards: more than 50% of weight in back does that every time the brakes lock up!

I will give it a bit more time and experience. The tires are only a few hundred miles old and as mentioned, even the manufacturer says they will be slick for a while. I guess I find it unusual in that the FRS is the first car I have owned that might actually NEED stability control in order to stay on the road. Are cars starting to be like fighter aircraft in that they can no longer sustain basic flight without computer intervention?

[SubieNate]

I'd guess the Miata is just softer all around which makes it easier for it to keep grip in very low grip situations.

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by dsgerbc

Tire width barely affects contact patch size. Total contact patch area = (roughly) weight/tire PSI. Tire width affects contact patch shape. So what you said makes no sense whatsoever. You'd still want narrow tire, but not for the reason you gave.

He probably meant narrower contact patch.

Originally Posted by SubieNate

I'd guess the Miata is just softer all around which makes it easier for it to keep grip in very low grip situations.

Yep I bet that has something to do with it. I've noticed cars that are softly sprung/damped are more stable in the snow. Makes me wonder if disconnecting the swaybars in the FR-S would be an easy fix (along with adding ballast to the rear).

[NOHOME]

Now we might be on to something, a non-compliant suspension will be more prone to let loose during transitions maneuvers. Might be on to something with the swaybar; Old rain racing trick.

Still not sold on having the weight balance shifted past 50-50.

Studded snow tires? Why not chains also! Think I will keep this apples to apples? Studs are a big no-no in most places and noisy as hell if you do have them.

[robispec]

55Front 45 rear and a super low front CofG = dosn't want to transfer weight to the rear = limited traction...It's a purdy pick'em up truck sand/salt will help LOTS.