Snow tire question.

Andrew P. · #1 10-28-2010, 01:02 AM

This will be my first winter driving something other than a Scout.
I've been looking at different brands of snow tires for my 92' Ebony.
A few people have mentioned running 205/55/16's instead of the stock 225/50/16's. Is there an advantage to this change?
I have noticed that there seem to be more brand choices for the 205/55/16's.

SSSVX · #2 10-28-2010, 02:30 AM

205 55 16 is the size for my new hyundai.

I ain't sure if I would go from 225 50 16 to 205 55 16, but maybe
the 215 55 16.

The advantage is probably more traction in snow due to the
more narrow tires, and cheaper in the price.

Let's see what others say. I would like to get snow
tires for my SVX too. Awd + snow tires = the best you
can do to your car in the winter.

Subscribe.

Huskymaniac · #3 10-28-2010, 05:13 AM

205/55 and 215/55 will both work as will the original size. Narrower is better because the pressure applied to the snow is greater so it will cut into it and have a better chance of hitting pavement. But you give up dry and wet traction as a result.

As for brands, I have tried a few including the Gislaved and Michelin Ice and nothing compares to Blizzaks unless you want to move all the way to studded tires.

Landshark · #4 10-28-2010, 08:33 AM

i get a cheap set of wheels and mount snow tires to them so i can swap them out at home.

if you go this route, get something narrower than stock - thinner tires "cut" through the snow, as opposed to "gliding" over it. look at the WRC car's snow tires:

i had some inexpensive Weatherhandlers on the SVX, and they worked great - i have Blizzaks on my LGT now, and i can't really say they are any better.

SVX_MY_BABY · #5 10-28-2010, 09:57 AM

Narrower is better for snow, which I'm sure you get lots of in Washington.

Cooper has a new tire out this year which is getting rave reviews.
http://www.coopertire.com/html/produ...her_master_wsc

I have used Nokian Hakapolita 3 and 5 on both my cars for decades.
http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=1...kapeliitta%20R

LetItSnow · #6 10-28-2010, 10:12 AM

I recommend the 205/55/16 size, as well. (I had 205s for winter, 225s for street, and 245s for track!)

A buddy and I got into a knife fight over whether the Hakkas were better than Blizzaks. Turns out, we both had some good snow tires and no knives. Everyone's a winner!

Being me, though, I've had 5 sets of Blizzaks over various cars, and although I can't fairly compare them to anything else, they issued appropriate confidence and plenty more traction than these things folks call "all season tires". The missus digs 'em, too.

jeffs92svx · #7 10-31-2010, 05:18 AM

How do these cars go in the snow? I used to have a xt turbo and it was awesome. Do i need to get snow tires or can i use all season? We get a lot of snow and it will be my daily driver. Thanks.

Huskymaniac · #8 10-31-2010, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffs92svx

How do these cars go in the snow? I used to have a xt turbo and it was awesome. Do i need to get snow tires or can i use all season? We get a lot of snow and it will be my daily driver. Thanks.

With AWD and a limited slip rear differential plus a low center of gravity and a pretty hefty weight, it should go quite well in the snow. However, it will go better on snow tires. Really, it isn't going that is my reason for Blizzaks. It is turning and stopping and, for that, AWD is not a big help. How much does a set of Blizzaks cost and what would it cost if you hit a patch of black ice in an intersection and smack into the rear of the car in front of you? Plus, I don't view it as extra cost. If you run Blizzaks for 4-6 months, your other tires aren't being worn down at that time. So you really aren't spending more on tires because you should end up buying tires about half as often.

jeffs92svx · #9 10-31-2010, 08:44 AM

thanks husky

Huskymaniac · #10 10-31-2010, 02:11 PM

Saw my first snow today. And by the radar, it looks like lake effect off lake Ontario. It is reaching pretty far down NY state. And I was mowing while it was falling!!! Looks like the snows will be going on soon.......

SSSVX · #11 11-01-2010, 02:31 AM

that's fast. I m not ready for snow yet.

it's getting colder tonight. 37F.

any deal on blizzaks now? where are these made in? USA? Japan? China?

Rodolfo · #12 11-10-2010, 10:10 AM

For AWD and 4WD and any drive, the real problem in the winter is ice, not snow. Ice is indiscriminant: 4 wheels slide as easily as 2. Watch it at all intersections, and on bridges, shoulders and ramps. For ice, the only effective difference-makers I've found are Blizzaks, and especially studs. The advantage of the Nokians is that they are studdable. I drove with studs decades ago when they were still legal in Illinois -on RWD cars. Nothing like that again. Nothing. Not cool nor correct, but if you want maximum safety, get studs. Blizzaks -which I would put on cars for as little time as possible because their marginal value wears quickly- are the only unstudded snows I know of that make a difference on ice, and it is not a trivial difference. Their main rub is that you will need a second set of rims or to mount and dismount them each year.

I drove a Trooper for 10 of the 12 winters I had the SVX, so I would rely on that for heavy snows. The main difference from your Scouts is the reduced ground clearance you'll have. Most people get stuck in snow because their vehicles are suspended in deep snow under the car, not because they don't have superior snow tires. I drove with Michellin all-seasons in both vehicles and found them very satisfactory in all conditions and for multiple seasons.

Best, to a man set for all seasons.

Manarius · #13 11-07-2010, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huskymaniac

With AWD and a limited slip rear differential plus a low center of gravity and a pretty hefty weight, it should go quite well in the snow. However, it will go better on snow tires. Really, it isn't going that is my reason for Blizzaks. It is turning and stopping and, for that, AWD is not a big help. How much does a set of Blizzaks cost and what would it cost if you hit a patch of black ice in an intersection and smack into the rear of the car in front of you? Plus, I don't view it as extra cost. If you run Blizzaks for 4-6 months, your other tires aren't being worn down at that time. So you really aren't spending more on tires because you should end up buying tires about half as often.

Having spent a good amount of time last year driving the SVX in the snow, I feel like it has a few things going against it that made me feel a bit uncomfortable compared to when I was driving my old Legacy, which did not have a limited slip:

1. 200+ wide stock tires. They are just terrible in the snow. I could stop and start well, but turning sucked big time.

2. Low ground clearance. Very tough to drive in 6+ inches because the car becomes a snow plow quickly. Plus, you get plateaued easily because of that low clearance.

3. The car weighs 3600lb. That's a lot of metal flinging around in the snow. Throwing that weight around makes it hard to turn and stop in low traction conditions. I really felt like the weight of the car made turning a big problem, even at low speeds with low amounts of snow on the road. Dustings are my biggest fear as a driver; they take just enough grip off the road to make it very dangerous.

4. Too much power. I love the 230HP on dry surfaces. In rain/snow/ice, I'm not a fan. It's too easy to break traction, even with good snow tires like the hakkapeliitta's.

I would say to all, just keep those things in mind when you want to take your SVX out this winter. Otherwise, you might end up in a snowbank or in the back of somebody else's car.

1986nate · #14 11-07-2010, 06:40 PM

It all comes down to knowing how to drive. I drove my silver the first winter I had it with nearly bald Kumho summer tires. It wasn't easy to do, especially since I later found out the transfer clutch was also shot in that transmission. Accelerating sucked, braking wasn't too great, but I never even got close to having an accident. Had people pull out in front of me, almost slide through stop signs into me, etc. Last winter, I still had a shot transfer clutch but had some Blizzak WS-50's in 215/55 size. I never had a fear or worry about driving in the snow, would purposely go out in the worst storms and have some fun.

In winters before, I've had a 99 Pontiac Grand Prix GT coupe with bald tires, fwd, same weight or possibly heavier than the SVX, also same ground clearance, slightly less hp and same amount of torque. Didn't have a problem driving in 10+inches of snow.
also had a 95 cutlass supreme coupe, also as heavy as the SVX and same width tires but I had Goodyear assurance triple treads. Drove through anything and never felt unsure. Even in 14 inches of snow.
Before that all I drove was GM G body RWD cars and an 89 astro van. All high torque engines, heavy and rwd. Never had an issue at all and again, would purposely have fun in the snow since that is what RWD is for.

Winter driving is all about being smart, and in the deep stuff, keeping your momentum. Don't ever come to a complete stop in deeper snow unless you have to. Even if its rolling through at 1 mph, just don't ever come to a complete stop. That's how I can get through more snow with bald tires than most people can with winter tires.
I will say, that it is 10 times easier with AWD and good snow tires though.

Rodolfo · #15 11-10-2010, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1986nate

It all comes down to knowing how to drive. I drove my silver the first winter I had it with nearly bald Kumho summer tires. It wasn't easy to do, especially since I later found out the transfer clutch was also shot in that transmission. Accelerating sucked, braking wasn't too great, but I never even got close to having an accident. Had people pull out in front of me, almost slide through stop signs into me, etc. Last winter, I still had a shot transfer clutch but had some Blizzak WS-50's in 215/55 size. I never had a fear or worry about driving in the snow, would purposely go out in the worst storms and have some fun.

In winters before, I've had a 99 Pontiac Grand Prix GT coupe with bald tires, fwd, same weight or possibly heavier than the SVX, also same ground clearance, slightly less hp and same amount of torque. Didn't have a problem driving in 10+inches of snow.
also had a 95 cutlass supreme coupe, also as heavy as the SVX and same width tires but I had Goodyear assurance triple treads. Drove through anything and never felt unsure. Even in 14 inches of snow.
Before that all I drove was GM G body RWD cars and an 89 astro van. All high torque engines, heavy and rwd. Never had an issue at all and again, would purposely have fun in the snow since that is what RWD is for.

Winter driving is all about being smart, and in the deep stuff, keeping your momentum. Don't ever come to a complete stop in deeper snow unless you have to. Even if its rolling through at 1 mph, just don't ever come to a complete stop. That's how I can get through more snow with bald tires than most people can with winter tires.
I will say, that it is 10 times easier with AWD and good snow tires though.

Easy for you to say.. you drive the only car in Sheboredom..