justbob
12-03-2010, 06:36 PM
I am 37 and must admit I never thought snow tires actually did all that much, they take up space, and just another expense. Wow, was I wrong...
Last fall we had a member local to me sell his car and put his snows and steelies up for sale for $150.00. I thought why not try it for that price? He explained that they were 4 seasons old with unknown mileage. I swear these were nothing but brand new. I drove on them last year all but praying for snow to test these babies out. UNBELIEVABLE traction! NO weight in the trunk and pushed thru 6"'s of snow and even worse drifts like a truck! Luckilly most snow storms last year did not exceed that total by much but I was ready to tackle it! The car feels alot heavier, rides softer, and I felt nice and safe. The normal average seems to be very slight spin/catch spin/catch and off you go, faster than any front wheel drive. And no, I do NOT have Traction control.
These are the 16" Michelin X-ice and are staggered to fit the same as stock. I swapped out tires last week as traction was becoming a big time issue with the cold temps. I have been REALLY testing these this past week with the temps in the 20's-30's on dry pavement and just can't get over the traction. I roll out at the green to about 15 or so and flat out nail it. Depending on the pavement, and temp of tires, here are my findings 1. (10%) I have broke all traction all the way thru 2nd but pulled extremely hard and straight. 2. (50%) immediately accelerated like no tomorrow (man I love the cold!) spinning here and there throughout 1st no more than a foot at a time, or 3. (40%) Unbelievable rush of power not felt any other time of the year with ZERO traction loss!
I just can't get over the cold weather traction. The car is an animal in this weather when dry and so dang predicable on snow, even light icings is tolerable, or not much worse than any good handling car. I'm not about to compare it to a 4x4 by no means, but sad I never tried snow tires in previous cars.
Just thought I would try and help change your point of view if you are on the fence about wether they are worth it or not. We are talking bad driving conditions and accidents do happen regaurdless of tires used but what a better experience over stock. Anyways, even with a couple good burnouts last year and them being 5 years old now, they STILL look like new. Figured i'd write this before the winter really set in, hope this helps. Stay safe this year.
Last fall we had a member local to me sell his car and put his snows and steelies up for sale for $150.00. I thought why not try it for that price? He explained that they were 4 seasons old with unknown mileage. I swear these were nothing but brand new. I drove on them last year all but praying for snow to test these babies out. UNBELIEVABLE traction! NO weight in the trunk and pushed thru 6"'s of snow and even worse drifts like a truck! Luckilly most snow storms last year did not exceed that total by much but I was ready to tackle it! The car feels alot heavier, rides softer, and I felt nice and safe. The normal average seems to be very slight spin/catch spin/catch and off you go, faster than any front wheel drive. And no, I do NOT have Traction control.
These are the 16" Michelin X-ice and are staggered to fit the same as stock. I swapped out tires last week as traction was becoming a big time issue with the cold temps. I have been REALLY testing these this past week with the temps in the 20's-30's on dry pavement and just can't get over the traction. I roll out at the green to about 15 or so and flat out nail it. Depending on the pavement, and temp of tires, here are my findings 1. (10%) I have broke all traction all the way thru 2nd but pulled extremely hard and straight. 2. (50%) immediately accelerated like no tomorrow (man I love the cold!) spinning here and there throughout 1st no more than a foot at a time, or 3. (40%) Unbelievable rush of power not felt any other time of the year with ZERO traction loss!
I just can't get over the cold weather traction. The car is an animal in this weather when dry and so dang predicable on snow, even light icings is tolerable, or not much worse than any good handling car. I'm not about to compare it to a 4x4 by no means, but sad I never tried snow tires in previous cars.
Just thought I would try and help change your point of view if you are on the fence about wether they are worth it or not. We are talking bad driving conditions and accidents do happen regaurdless of tires used but what a better experience over stock. Anyways, even with a couple good burnouts last year and them being 5 years old now, they STILL look like new. Figured i'd write this before the winter really set in, hope this helps. Stay safe this year.