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

[Casey10s]

Hello Flyboy,

Here is a physics demonstration to over dramatize the narrow vs. wide tire. Next time you are are shoveling virgin snow after a significant snowfall, try this. Take the blade of the shovel and push it down through the snow. You will push the snow out of the way and go down pretty far until you start to hit something really solid. Now take the shovel and lay it flat and now push the shovel down in the snow. You will compress the snow but probably won't get to anything too solid. But you have created the beginnings of a good skiing area. Same for tires but not as significant as this demonstration.

[Summerwolf]

You can buy base model forester steel wheels for next to nothing. Just an idea that could help you save money. They come in 16's.

[cjny]

Originally Posted by flyboy

Thank you @humfrz @phrosty @WWFT86.
About the tires, being a physics student my self, i can't wrap my head around that narrower tire providing better traction. But you guys have more experience and I will take your word on it. Plus it is only an inch difference and saves $$.

Finally, someone else who sees the problem with getting physics advice from a tire retailer.

I like the stock size for winter. But sizing down is definitely cheaper and gives you extra cushion that can be welcome if your roads have lots of potholes.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by cjny

Finally, someone else who sees the problem with getting physics advice from a tire retailer.

I like the stock size for winter. But sizing down is definitely cheaper and gives you extra cushion that can be welcome if your roads have lots of potholes.

The theory of the physics is sound no matter what the source but I truly wonder how much a 1/2 inch difference in width makes in the practical application. Is there a difference? Sure, but just how god a driver is anybody that says they can tell.

[navanodd]

Just to chime in on the tire size choice, 205/55R16 is an available OEM tire fitment for this FRS/BRZ, just not in North America. Go for it.

I have found myself having to run a lower tire pressure in the winter (30psi) , but I believe that is due to my winters having a load rating of 94, vs OEM load rating of 87.

I'm on winter #4 now in New Brunswick/Nova Scotia, this car isn't as bad as you'd think in the snow so long as you have good tires.

[dnieves]

Not sure about the snow tires but reliability wise it's as extremely reliable and incident/trouble free as my Toyota/Scion (tC) and Honda (Civic Si) and more trustworthy than my Hyundai (Elantra GT) and Nissan (Altima).


The only preventative I would suggest is if you have a MT get the cam plate cover bolted on (this will prevent the smell of oil or a little oil leak if the OEM silicon gasket ever fails).


P.S. I'm a proponent for mud guards/flaps to protect the paintjob.

[flyboy]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Came out from under an overpass at about 70mph and a the wind hit me and moved me over half a lane in a split second. I have never had a car so susceptible to wind.

@Tcoat Thanks for that. I will keep that in mind, but is that anytime of the day or during wet/icey slippery road conditions?

@Casey10s I agree with you on that. A pointy/narrower end would slice through much easily, but friction wise a narrower tire would provide less traction due to less contact area for sure. But I think for snow first it is important to plough through it. I will be going with the 205/55/R16. Just have to figure out the brand now.

@Summerwolf and @cjny thanks for the advise. I guess for winters the narrower tire makes more sense and is more cost effective. Plus you never know what is under the snow and 205/55 might provide more cushioning.

@navanodd I wonder why is not an OEM in the North America though! But that is good information. Thanks for sharing. Where is it offered as an OEM fit, just outta curiousity.

@dneives I am glad to know about the reliability. Thanks for chiming on that. Last car I owned was a 1995 Sable. I have driven many cars but never owned many, so maintenance wasn't my problem. But to know it is more reliable than a Hyundais makes my day...

[gravitylover]

[QUOTE=flyboy;2827936]@Tcoat Thanks for that. I will keep that in mind, but is that anytime of the day or during wet/icey slippery road conditions?[QUOTE]

Any time. It's a lightweight car and it gets moved around fairly easily. Just be aware and you'll be fine.

[QUOTE=flyboy;2827936]@Casey10s I agree with you on that. A pointy/narrower end would slice through much easily, but friction wise a narrower tire would provide less traction due to less contact area for sure. But I think for snow first it is important to plough through it. I will be going with the 205/55/R16. Just have to figure out the brand now.[QUOTE]

For where you are I would consider a tire with a higher ice rating than snow unless you plan on heading up towards Girdwood or Hatcher Pass frequently. Take a look at the Michelin X-Ice or similar.

[QUOTE=flyboy;2827936]@Summerwolf and @cjny thanks for the advise. I guess for winters the narrower tire makes more sense and is more cost effective. Plus you never know what is under the snow and 205/55 might provide more cushioning.[QUOTE]

Yup taller sidewalls are good.

[QUOTE=flyboy;2827936]@navanodd I wonder why is not an OEM in the North America though! But that is good information. Thanks for sharing. Where is it offered as an OEM fit, just outta curiousity.[QUOTE]

Because we don't think that rwd sports cars are supposed to be comfortable or practical. Market bullshit...


Hmm my skills at breaking up a post and multi quoting it suck...

[Guru Woodman]

Look at how skinny these tires are. And they are flying !



I don't have much to ad to what the previous posters said but I will say that the 86 does fine in the winter. I was worried to and was inclined to buy bulky AWD vehicles before the BRZ seduced me (my previous DD was a Lexus LX470). The biggest problem with extreme weather conditions is being able to steer and stop. And dedicated tires will help you mores then AWD, which helps you move, not stop.
Just use you head, take it easy and if the weather is too extreme, it is probably not a good idea to leave the house anyway. The biggest problem is usually not the car enthusiast (you) but those oblivious idiot people that have no clue as to what they are doing and loose their little focus on driving as soon as a phone screen lights up.

[Tcoat]

They do just fine!

[flyboy]

Originally Posted by gravitylover

Hmm my skills at breaking up a post and multi quoting it suck...

Haha I see that, its not that difficult though!

@Guru and @Tcoat I believe you guys! Thanks for all the feedback and it is the other drivers who scare me. Saw a guy shaving while driving the other day!!

Maybe if it gets too extreme we can always attache these
Attachment 148011

[flyboy]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

They do just fine!

I am guessing that was just couple feet below the normal snow that you guys get!

[Zhangy]

if ur on stock tires, dont drive it on more than 5cm of snow. if ur have snow tires the number becomes ~10cm

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by flyboy

I am guessing that was just couple feet below the normal snow that you guys get!

We are way down on snow this year. That was about 3 hours worth. We call it a "light squall".