Snow/Ice winter tires

708 messages, Last post on Nov 10, 2009 at 12:57 PM

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#648 of 708 Re: Disappointed: Michelin X-Ice Xi2 [ex_tdier] by kurtamaxxxguy Dec 15, 2008 (5:47 pm)
Replying to: ex_tdier (Dec 15, 2008 5:17 pm) Sorry to hear the X-Ice did not work for you. Perhaps Nokian knows something Michelin does not - the Canola oil compound Nokian uses? My tests of the WRG2 were on a number of side streets with some moderate hills. Nearly all the roads were a sheet of ice covered by windblown snow in places. Temperature was 32 - 24 degrees. If the ice was wet, I would loose traction on one or more wheels momentarily, but the Forester XT never got stuck, including on a 10 - 15 degree hill with that wet ice. I got up to around 5 - 10 mph and was still able to stop reasonably well if I was gentle. Jack rabbit starts or stops would definitely break the wheels loose. This is the worst case I can think of. If ice was typical (shiny but no visible water) or covered with snow, the traction was much better. There the XT started and stopped without trouble provided I was gentle with throttle and brakes. These are winter rated but not dedicated winter tires. More aggressive winter compounds and/or studs would do better. But I'm very pleased with how the WRG2's work. Roads I tackled this year would have positively stopped my former TripleTreaded Malibu Maxx. By comparison, a lot of FWD / RWD cars were slipping like mad, unless they had chains (quite a few did). Replies to this message: ex_tdier (Dec 15, 2008 6:02 pm)
#649 of 708 Re: Disappointed: Michelin X-Ice Xi2 [kurtamaxxxguy] by ex_tdier Dec 15, 2008 (6:02 pm)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 15, 2008 5:47 pm) I like your analysis. Just to give you an example. The ice was shiny with packed snow underneath, not much snow though with no visible water. The temps were around 29 to 26F. I was going around 10 mph when I braked and I ran through a stop sign. Fortunately, there were no cars around. These tires are marketed as a dedicated winter tire. I wish there were more tire review sites that I could post my review so I could share my opinion on these new tires.
#650 of 708 Re: Newbie Oregonian here... [legge] by isellhondas Dec 16, 2008 (7:11 am)
Replying to: legge (Dec 15, 2008 11:23 am) The Suskayous can be nasty and unpredictable. I would carry chains and have an emergency kit in your car. Blankets, water, flares, flashlights etc. Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 16, 2008 9:07 am)
#651 of 708 Re: Newbie Oregonian here... [isellhondas] by kurtamaxxxguy Dec 16, 2008 (9:07 am)
Replying to: isellhondas (Dec 16, 2008 7:11 am) Yes, the Oregon mountain passes require chains in bad weather. And an emergency kit or at least the bare emergency essentials are important. I do not know if ODOT has approved AutoSocks as a workaround.
#652 of 708 more oregon driving by kurtamaxxxguy Dec 16, 2008 (8:47 pm)
This time came the big hills around Portland OR. We have several subdivisions built on Bull Mountain that have numerous winding, hilly streets. Most of those streets were covered with snow-swept ice, occasionally sprinkled with a few cinders. Some hills approach 20 - 25 degrees. One hill's lack of traction had sent a Jetta and a small MiniVan down their slopes. A number of FWD cars were spinning wheels as they tried to get going. The XT with Nokians, in all but one case, just went up and down the hills. As before, speeds had to be kept low, but the XT stopped and restarted on any hill, and stopped when going down the same hills. The worst case was when the ice was wet - the ABS definitely kicked in for those braking situations. Accelerating, I did not see any VDC/TC warning lights but felt some of the wheels alternating traction. There was little hesitation and no violent spinning of wheels. Only time the XT lost traction was when it was bounding/turning over a small hill at 5-10 mph. Loss of weight allowed tires to drift momentarily. Overall, WRG2's seem to work Replies to this message: ex_tdier (Dec 16, 2008 11:05 pm)
#653 of 708 Re: more oregon driving [kurtamaxxxguy] by ex_tdier Dec 16, 2008 (11:05 pm)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 16, 2008 8:47 pm) The XT with Nokians, in all but one case, just went up and down the hills. As before, speeds had to be kept low, but the XT stopped and restarted on any hill, and stopped when going down the same hills. The worst case was when the ice was wet - the ABS definitely kicked in for those braking situations. Accelerating, I did not see any VDC/TC warning lights but felt some of the wheels alternating traction. There was little hesitation and no violent spinning of wheels. That's interesting. Perhaps the tires weren't spinning due to traction control? The Michelin Ice Xi2s are one of the best if not the best studelss tire out there for ice. I was doing some more starting and going on ice today and my tires were spinning, irregardless how easy I was on the accelerator. I wish I could test drive these tires going up a snowy or icy hilll; however, my Mazda3 does not have traction control. I doubt it would make it.
#654 of 708 Re: You gotta be careful [kurtamaxxxguy] by hammerhead Dec 17, 2008 (8:52 am)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 14, 2008 10:50 pm) Yep, it's the ice... I agree, as it is snowing over the top of these icy streets here in Spokane Cheers! Paul
#655 of 708 recent snows in Portland Or by kurtamaxxxguy Dec 17, 2008 (12:35 pm)
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-164378 shows a lot of cars failing to climb a snowed/iced hill in Waterford (near Portland, OR). Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 17, 2008 5:48 pm) ex_tdier (Dec 22, 2008 8:43 pm) hammerhead (Dec 17, 2008 6:09 pm) kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 17, 2008 7:15 pm)
#656 of 708 Re: recent snows in Portland Or [kurtamaxxxguy] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Dec 17, 2008 (5:48 pm)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 17, 2008 12:35 pm) It's interesting to watch that video and notice how some cars have no trouble at all. I'm wondering if we are seeing different levels of driver skills, since it didn't look like all the "successful" cars were AWD types. Replies to this message: ex_tdier (Dec 22, 2008 8:43 pm)
#657 of 708 Re: recent snows in Portland Or [kurtamaxxxguy] by hammerhead Dec 17, 2008 (6:09 pm)
Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 17, 2008 12:35 pm) And check out the weather uber-wimps in Seattle - they close schools upon the mere THREAT of snow!! Chained up 80% of the fleet of school buses, then had to take 'em off because they were throwing sparks! Cheers! Paul Replies to this message: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 17, 2008 7:15 pm)