Snow tires...wow... - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Brahsbrah · 12-04-2013, 08:23 PM

So I cheaper out and bought some Federal Himalaya ws2's to fit the stock rims.

Sure they are cheap but the reviews seemed decent. I just got them on two days ago and I am amazed how dangerous the car feels. Traction comes on in wet in 3rd and 4th up hill, around every sharp turn and the car feels very unstable. I am comparing them to the stock all seasons which are known to not be the greatest but I didn't expect the difference to be this big.

Can anyone comment on this?

SpeedyJay · 12-04-2013, 08:43 PM

Have you tried them in the snow yet?

Rayme · 12-04-2013, 08:48 PM

My soft sidewall winters tire on 16" steelies feels incredibly unstable (BF goodrich winter slalom). Especially when you come off the stiff stock 17". The traction light comes on when I do any kind of sharp turn without even coming close to losing traction.

You'll get used to it pretty fast, it changes the car for the worst. This car communicates the wheels and tires strongly to the driver, so it is to be expected.

However they got me through some nasty shit last winter, can't hate on what they are supposed to do well.

Brahsbrah · 12-04-2013, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rayme

My soft sidewall winters tire on 16" steelies feels incredibly unstable (BF goodrich winter slalom). Especially when you come off the stiff stock 17". The traction light comes on when I do any kind of sharp turn without even coming close to losing traction.

You'll get used to it pretty fast, it changes the car for the worst. This car communicates the wheels and tires strongly to the driver, so it is to be expected.

However they got me through some nasty shit last winter, can't hate on what they are supposed to do well.

I was hoping someone would say this. I have yet to test them in snow which like you said is what they're made for ,so I'm assuming it will be a lot better.

Evil Jesus · 12-04-2013, 09:04 PM

I have General Altimax Arctics and they feel like I'm driving on firm Jell-o when in the dry. Traction light constantly, squirmy at speed, all that jazz. They really come alive in the snow though. Better than running it off into the woods, right?

Brahsbrah · 12-04-2013, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Jesus

I have General Altimax Arctics and they feel like I'm driving on firm Jell-o when in the dry. Traction light constantly, squirmy at speed, all that jazz. They really come alive in the snow though. Better than running it off into the woods, right?

Perfect description. I'm pretty excited to get some new wheels this spring with something stickier and wider than stock. The transition should feel awesome.

headlikeahole · 12-04-2013, 09:10 PM

I have Toyo Observe Garits on 16" steelies. These tires are high performance winters designed with handling in mind, and they still feel like I'm on the edge of grip everywhere I go in the wet.

It just a part of having snow/ice tires on.

Evil Jesus · 12-04-2013, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brahsbrah

Perfect description. I'm pretty excited to get some new wheels this spring with something stickier and wider than stock. The transition should feel awesome.

Putting the summers back on when it gets warm out is so amazing. Makes the car feel like a go-kart.

Nevermore · 12-04-2013, 09:12 PM

I have Hankook winter i*Pikes on my car now. I'm kind of happy to see the responses to this thread because the car doesn't feel squirmy or like it's slipping, but the steering feel does appear to be looser. I feel less inspired on them so I don't take off as fast or take corners as fast as I did on the stock tires. But other than that, I haven't had any issues out of them. They slipped once on some dirt on a turn out.

I'm waiting to see how they handle snow.

DR 86 · 12-04-2013, 09:36 PM

Have Toyo Observe G0-2 on their last legs mounted on 16" steelies. Have to be careful to not drift every sharp turn in the wet even with traction full on. Had no issues in the big snow storm last winter. That just the price you pay for having a specialist item. I have R888s for the track, and winters for the winter, going with Michelin Pilot Super Sports for summers next year.

pche · 12-04-2013, 09:38 PM

Drove a customers car with 16" Dunlop snow tires on today. Just from the parking lot to my bay I could tell the difference in body roll and grip.

navanodd · 12-04-2013, 09:45 PM

I'm running 16" Xi3's, and while granted I did not get a lot of running in on the Primacy's as I only got the car a month ago, I find these tires surprisingly good.

I find that they behave a lot like an all season, but I'm used to running studded winter tires with less dry/wet grip and a lot more noise.

You'll appreciate the drop in dry/wet performance once the temperatures drop and the roads get snowy though.

mrk1 · 12-04-2013, 09:56 PM

I always used that crappy feeling to remind me not to push it on the dry, they will wear out super quick. But when it does snow nothing can replace them, especially with a RWD

neutron256 · 12-04-2013, 10:11 PM

Snow tires flex, that's a big part of how they work. No getting around it.

First real test of my new Blizzak WS in the snow today, and that kind of grip on snow is well worth the squishy feel the rest of the time.

12-04-2013, 08:23 PM	#1
Brahsbrah Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Drives: 2013 BRZ Sport Tech White Pearl Location: Halifax, NS, Canada Posts: 150 Thanks: 17 Thanked 14 Times in 14 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Snow tires...wow... So I cheaper out and bought some Federal Himalaya ws2's to fit the stock rims. Sure they are cheap but the reviews seemed decent. I just got them on two days ago and I am amazed how dangerous the car feels. Traction comes on in wet in 3rd and 4th up hill, around every sharp turn and the car feels very unstable. I am comparing them to the stock all seasons which are known to not be the greatest but I didn't expect the difference to be this big. Can anyone comment on this?

12-04-2013, 08:43 PM	#2
SpeedyJay Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Drives: '13 WRB BRZ Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 156 Thanks: 24 Thanked 46 Times in 37 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Have you tried them in the snow yet? __________________ In God We Trust - Hold No Faith That Violates Reason

12-04-2013, 08:48 PM	#3
Rayme The Answer Join Date: Sep 2012 Drives: Mazda 2 Location: Moncton, NB Posts: 1,233 Thanks: 488 Thanked 661 Times in 315 Posts Mentioned: 6 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	My soft sidewall winters tire on 16" steelies feels incredibly unstable (BF goodrich winter slalom). Especially when you come off the stiff stock 17". The traction light comes on when I do any kind of sharp turn without even coming close to losing traction. You'll get used to it pretty fast, it changes the car for the worst. This car communicates the wheels and tires strongly to the driver, so it is to be expected. However they got me through some nasty shit last winter, can't hate on what they are supposed to do well. __________________ \| Roof wrap thread

12-04-2013, 09:12 PM	#9
Nevermore Wayward Member Join Date: May 2012 Drives: Hot Lava 86 Location: Bust of Pallas Posts: 3,336 Thanks: 1,669 Thanked 2,312 Times in 1,386 Posts Mentioned: 50 Post(s) Tagged: 3 Thread(s)	I have Hankook winter i*Pikes on my car now. I'm kind of happy to see the responses to this thread because the car doesn't feel squirmy or like it's slipping, but the steering feel does appear to be looser. I feel less inspired on them so I don't take off as fast or take corners as fast as I did on the stock tires. But other than that, I haven't had any issues out of them. They slipped once on some dirt on a turn out. I'm waiting to see how they handle snow. __________________

12-04-2013, 09:36 PM	#10
DR 86 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Drives: 2013 FR-S Location: Toronto Posts: 292 Thanks: 17 Thanked 76 Times in 60 Posts Mentioned: 2 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Have Toyo Observe G0-2 on their last legs mounted on 16" steelies. Have to be careful to not drift every sharp turn in the wet even with traction full on. Had no issues in the big snow storm last winter. That just the price you pay for having a specialist item. I have R888s for the track, and winters for the winter, going with Michelin Pilot Super Sports for summers next year. __________________ Perrin CAI\|Perrin MCB\|P&L header\|Motiv OP/FP\|MXP catback\|Tein Type Flex coilovers\|Eibach F/R sway bars\|GS front strut brace\|Street:PM HC+800/Track:Carbotech XP10\|StopTech slotted rotors/SS lines\|SBC RPF1s\|Street:FK453/Winter:Pirelli SottoZero3/Track:Toyo R888s\|Leg Sport rear spoiler\|EcuTek Tuned\|OEM oil cooler\|4th/F1 brake lights

12-04-2013, 09:04 PM	#5
Evil Jesus Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Drives: '13 FR-S Raven 6MT Location: Albany, NY Posts: 443 Thanks: 1,072 Thanked 200 Times in 135 Posts Mentioned: 8 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have General Altimax Arctics and they feel like I'm driving on firm Jell-o when in the dry. Traction light constantly, squirmy at speed, all that jazz. They really come alive in the snow though. Better than running it off into the woods, right?

12-04-2013, 09:10 PM	#7
headlikeahole Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Drives: Ultramarine toyobaru Location: NS Canada Posts: 605 Thanks: 311 Thanked 576 Times in 221 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have Toyo Observe Garits on 16" steelies. These tires are high performance winters designed with handling in mind, and they still feel like I'm on the edge of grip everywhere I go in the wet. It just a part of having snow/ice tires on.

12-04-2013, 09:38 PM	#11
pche Guy on internet Join Date: Jun 2013 Drives: Slowly Location: PA Posts: 582 Thanks: 1,407 Thanked 492 Times in 233 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Drove a customers car with 16" Dunlop snow tires on today. Just from the parking lot to my bay I could tell the difference in body roll and grip.

12-04-2013, 09:45 PM	#12
navanodd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Drives: 2013 BRZ Sport-tech WRB Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 308 Thanks: 95 Thanked 171 Times in 102 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I'm running 16" Xi3's, and while granted I did not get a lot of running in on the Primacy's as I only got the car a month ago, I find these tires surprisingly good. I find that they behave a lot like an all season, but I'm used to running studded winter tires with less dry/wet grip and a lot more noise. You'll appreciate the drop in dry/wet performance once the temperatures drop and the roads get snowy though.

12-04-2013, 09:56 PM	#13
mrk1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: Sterling BRZ Ltd Location: New England Posts: 1,702 Thanks: 403 Thanked 1,389 Times in 671 Posts Mentioned: 20 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	I always used that crappy feeling to remind me not to push it on the dry, they will wear out super quick. But when it does snow nothing can replace them, especially with a RWD __________________ The Build Thread GT28RS - eBoost2 - 3.91 Final Drive - Supra LSD

12-04-2013, 10:11 PM	#14
neutron256 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Drives: '13 GBS Subaru BRZ Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 2,030 Thanks: 680 Thanked 664 Times in 382 Posts Mentioned: 26 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	Snow tires flex, that's a big part of how they work. No getting around it. First real test of my new Blizzak WS in the snow today, and that kind of grip on snow is well worth the squishy feel the rest of the time. __________________ -Fortes fortuna adiuvat (Fortune favors the bold) Last edited by neutron256; 12-05-2013 at 07:58 AM.

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