Now I realize why I passed so many people in the snow..

ctviggen · « **on:** 18 Jan 2011, 08:32 pm »

In my former car, a Saab, with snow tires on it. I could never understand why people were driving at 10mph in the snow, with their flashers on, when in the Saab with snow tires, I had no trouble braking, starting, or passing. Well, now I know why: All season tires are horrendous in the snow. I now have a VW with all seasons on it. I decided I'd try to go the entire winter without snow tires, because I couldn't afford snow tires and rims. I got the VW stuck once in what I thought was an unusual scenario, so I thought it was a fluke. Yesterday, it snowed about 2 inches, and I could not get my VW out of my driveway! The thing didn't move more than a foot before becoming completely stuck. In two inches of snow! So, I borrowed my wife's Subaru, which has Nokian all seasons, but they're winter rated (with the snow flake symbol on them). The Subaru had zero issues getting through the paltry amount of snow that was on my driveway.

So, I bought snow tires and rims for the VW, which is a financial burden, but at least I should be able to drive around. As it is now, the VW is not driveable in the snow. Anyone actually made it through winters in New England with all seasons?

Speaking of snow, above my gutters is about 5 inches of what looks to be a solid mass of ice. Should I be concerned about this?

BikeWNC · « **Reply #1 on:** 18 Jan 2011, 08:49 pm »

I live in Western NC and it has been a snowy winter so far. I know from past experience as well as from this year that all-season tires are near worthless in all but the most grippy snow. They will get you around but not in a very confidence inspiring manner. Our Highlander, which is generally very secure in most all conditions had a difficult time in several circumstances this recent snow. It got to the point where I contemplated dedicated snow tires. The highway tread just isn't aggressive enough and can spin on smooth snow very easily. Guaranteed though as soon as I bought winter tires it wouldn't snow for the next three winters.

davidrs · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Jan 2011, 08:52 pm »

Quote from: ctviggen on 18 Jan 2011, 08:32 pm

Anyone actually made it through winters in New England with all seasons?

I have. But a brand new quad of quality snow tires will make you feel like a king on the road. Tire rolling is cool!

nathanm · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Jan 2011, 09:45 pm »

Wisconsin is in New England, isn't it? I've driven on normal tires on all my previous cars, but the first snowfall I drove through in my new rearwhearedrive car was a bit too slickery for comfort, so I got a set of snow tires. (As as understand there is a difference between "snow" and "winter" tires. What the difference is I am not sure, but I read it somewheres) They are an improvement, but the thing is that there's not always a huge window of opportunity to actually drive through proper SNOW. Once you get onto the main road you're in slush and salt. Of course I would rather travel at high speeds on clear roads, but going through actual snow with controlled spinning at slower speeds is just more FUN. Studs or chains would be even cooler, but it's just not in the cards.

It was damn expensive, but the new rims look swank and I figure it doubles the life of the tires as a whole.

Elizabeth · « **Reply #4 on:** 18 Jan 2011, 09:47 pm »

I drive with "Summer" high traction tires all year. Where i live it snows and the snow stays on the ground from Dec 25 to March 15 (approximately) I have driven on the snow for 46 years...
I am not bothered by sliding around, in fact I find it to be a lot of fun. Usually with the first few snows I go find an empty parking lot and spin around for awhile just for fun.
I have never had any problem since going to a front wheel drive car.
I can remember the 'old' days with a rear wheel drive on nearly bare tires... Jeez I was stupid! Anyway i learned how to drive in the snow like that. So I just don't worry much about it all.
My worst snow experiences were driving on a multi-traffic lane boulevard, (I was like 19 years old) and i am behind a delivery truck. (The kind you cannot see around) Busy traffic, but we are going 35mph.. suddenly the truck changes lanes (he had room to do so, I did not) and right in front of me is a stopped car. I managed to stop by some miracle. I have never trusted a truck ever again.
Then the other experience was helping out at preChristmas flower delivery.. I am driving the co. van (Age around 20 also) and on a freeway going fast, i change lanes and the snow in the in-between areas of the lanes catches the tires on ONE side... So I am suddenly spinning faster than any 'Tilt-a-Whirl' carnival ride I ever was on... Luck lucky I spun about thirty times still spinning straight ahead and stopped facing backwards a foot or so from the median guard rail. And lucky no one was right near me when it happened.
What a ride. No damage except a few floral arrangements lost all thier water...
(added: one hint, boost the tire pressure by about five or more pounds PSI per tire all around, tires work better with the higher PSI in the snow. I know it would seem it would be the opposite, but it is not. I go with 44 PSI front and 36PSI rear)

pardales · « **Reply #5 on:** 18 Jan 2011, 10:01 pm »

Go for a NOS Quad if you can.

I live and have lived in some pretty snowy areas and have generally found that good all-season's combined with Front-Wheel-Drive gets me around just fine.

zybar · « **Reply #6 on:** 18 Jan 2011, 10:17 pm »

I have all-season tires on a Camry and it works quite well in the snow. However, today I did hit a really icy patch and my car slid into a snow bank. Luckily for me, this happened at work and I was able to get the good guys in our Facilities department to quickly pull me out with one of the front loaders that was being used for snow removal. No harm, no foul.

Snow tires will definitely help, but shouldn't be required unless conditions are really bad or if you live in a hilly area. However, when you combine snow tires with all wheel drive (I had this combo with an Audi S4), you can get some kickass traction and feel like you can drive in anything.

George

TomS · « **Reply #7 on:** 18 Jan 2011, 10:21 pm »

I can't speak to NE but we've had an unusual amount of snow here in northern Indiana already this year.

I put 4 new 16" General Altimax snows on my Jetta Sportwagen TDi (-1 size from 17") and have had absolutely no problems in 4-6 inches of snow, hills, etc. I've had Blizzaks before and these work equally as well. Not AWD but the snows really do help a lot on this car.

Tom

soundbitten1 · « **Reply #8 on:** 18 Jan 2011, 10:38 pm »

I'm on my second set of snow tires with my current car. The first pair were Blizzaks which worked well but wore fast, now I'm running Coopers. We live in a snow belt with lots of lake effect.

Stu Pitt · « **Reply #9 on:** 18 Jan 2011, 10:42 pm »

At 17, I learned that my Mazda pickup with snow tires and 4 wheel drive was great in the snow and I could drive under control at pretty respectable speeds.

My second winter with it, I learned the hard way that 4 wheel drive and snow tires didn't help me stop that much quicker than anything else.

At 20, I learned that my Chevy Blazer with 4 wheel drive and good snow tires didn't do a damn thing if I hit an ice patch. Glad I was the only one on the road, as I spun several times and then slid a good distance completely sideways. I felt the truck hopping like it was going to roll over. Luckily it didn't. Luckily I stopped about 3 inches in front of where a guard rail started, which by the way would have hit my side, not the empty passenger side.

Snow tires and 4 wheel drive definitely help. Just don't get over confidant.

Cheerwino · « **Reply #10 on:** 18 Jan 2011, 10:44 pm »

+1 for tire rolling, davidrs!

Used to work at Michelin and the rule was snow tires can deliver a comparable improvement to having AWD. Winter tires vary in the type of conditions in which they excel (ice, fluffy snow, slush--I think it's Nordic vs Arctic), and brand certainly matters (Bridgestone and Michelin usually highest quality). Course, I favor Michelins (and their sister brands Uniroyal and BFG).

The key difference between summer and all-season tires is the rubber compound is softer in a summer tire for extra traction the other three seasons (tread diff, too). This turns extremely hard when it gets much below 32 degrees. All season tires are a general performance compromise and will be more supple in the cold. Winter tires use a rubber compound that is even softer in the cold in addition to a tread pattern designed for specific winter weather conditions. Run them in warm weather and they'll wear out real quick, so take them off as soon as you can.

Tire Rack has a good FAQ on winter tires, for those who are interested. Stay safe!

bpape · « **Reply #11 on:** 18 Jan 2011, 11:21 pm »

I haven't had anything but all seasons on my cars for close to 25 years now. Have lived in Iowa, New Jersey, and now Missouri. On ice, doesn't really matter and the less aggressive tread and more contact patch of all seasons actually works better. In snow, it's just more a matter of doing everything a little slower. Stopping, starting, turning, etc. all just require a little more care.

I used to drive a little Escort with all seasons around Iowa all the time. The only time I ever got stuck was when I high-sided it going through snow that was deeper than the ground clearance on the car.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #12 on:** 18 Jan 2011, 11:30 pm »

I have a set of Nokian's on steel rims for my Accord for the winter. It is a 1997.

I despise this car all spring, summer and fall. It is underpowered, and boring.

When the snowtires go on, and the weather changes to winter, the old boring ride is transformed into a TRACTOR. It is an exceptional winter car.

What was underpowered all the other seasons, is perfect with snow tires.

I have a van my wife drives, and will put snows on it next winter, as it is the family vehicle. But, she only puts on 7K miles a year on it, so I suspect they will last forever!

I grew up driving front wheel drive cars on all seasons here in Canada, so I know how to, but the addition of the traction with snows, and especially the ability to stop and turn better, is great.

etcarroll · « **Reply #13 on:** 18 Jan 2011, 11:40 pm »

I learned to drive in NE, now in SE PA., folks are kinda clueless here, if I had a machine gun in my grill, death would abound.

The mass on your roof is an ice dam, and yes, you should be concerned.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4914834_fix-roof-ice-dam.html

Freo-1 · « **Reply #14 on:** 18 Jan 2011, 11:51 pm »

I had to change the OEM tyres on my 2009 Prius last winter. The take away was that the OEM tyres were terrible in the snow. After researching the issue, bought a quad of Nokian WR-G2 all season radials, and the handling with the car was transformed. The car now haadles well in rain, snow, you name it.

I live in S.E. Mass, and the all season Nokians work well here.

Letitroll98 · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 Jan 2011, 12:09 am »

Going through my first winter with this car, a VW Passat. Has some no name all seasons that were mediocre in the dry, worse in the rain, but seem to flourish in the abundant NJ snow. Go figure. They're not fond of deep stuff, however on plowed but still snow covered roads they're grrrrreat.

Anyway, no problem using all season tires for forty years of driving so far, all in northern climes. And a +1 caveat that all tires are different and "all season" is a broad category and some have been much better or much worse in the snow. About the same spread as 150 watt SS amps.

I wonder how much snow in Australia this time of year.......

thunderbrick · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 Jan 2011, 12:41 am »

Blizzaks are highly regarded in the sports car community. Tire Rack's got 'em.

toxteth ogrady · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 Jan 2011, 12:50 am »

My friend who lives in Seattle sent me this link - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXP-WLPdSxE

It's about 5 minutes long but worth watching through to the end. I think it's a Saab at 4:40 that navigates through the ice with no problem.

davidrs · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Jan 2011, 01:03 am »

Quote from: Letitroll98 on 19 Jan 2011, 12:09 am

I wonder how much snow in Australia this time of year.......

How much RAIN? Horrible flooding which they are still recovering from.

django11 · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 Jan 2011, 01:11 am »

Quote from: etcarroll on 18 Jan 2011, 11:40 pm

The mass on your roof is an ice dam, and yes, you should be concerned.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4914834_fix-roof-ice-dam.html

I'd say that you may need to be concerned, it depends on how your roof is made. I have that type of dam every year with no leaks. I presume that there is ice and water shield under my shingles.