Snow/Ice winter tires

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

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What is this discussion about? Tires, Wheels

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#670 of 708 Re: snow tires + chains? [gianna70] by kurtamaxxxguy Dec 22, 2008 (9:28 am)
Replying to: gianna70 (Dec 22, 2008 8:35 am) As the '05 Malibu is very similar to my former '04 Malibu Maxx which had no end of trouble in Portland: You should have chains handy. Grants Pass and the Siskiyou mountains now require them (as of 12/22), and may again on the days you travel. If you have large wheels and tires, you will need "S" chains as regular chains will be too big for the wheel wells.
#671 of 708 Portland's danger by kurtamaxxxguy Dec 22, 2008 (7:14 pm)
Today most of Portland's roads are a mess; 4 - 5" of packed snow and ice worn down to narrow ruts. Nearly every car in these ruts without chains (and many with chains) had real trouble changing lanes. The Nokian WRG2's, which up to now have worked very well, proved surprisingly inept at letting my AWD'er turn out of the ruts; the car would either just lurch back into the ruts, or try to swap ends the moment the tires cleared the ruts. The WRG2's weakness show up on ice when the vehicle is turning. It could be the outer edges have less ice grip than the inner tread. Whatever it is, looks like it's chains-ville very soon if I am to keep driving around here.
#672 of 708 Re: recent snows in Portland Or [Mr_Shiftright] by ex_tdier Dec 22, 2008 (8:43 pm)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Dec 17, 2008 5:48 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 I'm not convinced it's due to driver skills. However, many people assume that driving in winter and in winter conditions gives them the ability to drive as they normally do in 70+ temps, which typically is aggressive. One needs to go easy on the accelerator when driving in snow and icy conditions. Staying in first or second gear is a must if trying to go through those rough spots. I think it's more to do with the vehicles: tires new and/or aggressive tread, traction or slippage control on the vehicle, weight of vehicle, power, and even vehicle momentum. I've seen one woman today drive her Jetta with all seasons and get going withOUT too much difficulty while I had considerable spin with my winter tires in the same spot. That ticked me off. I also had the wife get dropped off by her boss who drives a BMW 4 (AWD) wheel drive sedan with all seasons. He had no problem whatsoever today in the over foot deep snow where people had to abandon their vehicles and even transit buses couldn't get by, So, there are a lot of variables. BTW. I am looking for some chains too....I have no idea how to install them or if I should go with chains or cables and if you can install them on existing winter tires or if they could damage your tires in any way. I know nothing about them. However, Ebay has some for less than $50.
#673 of 708 Seattle is a mess! by isellhondas Dec 24, 2008 (9:16 am)
The airport is mired down to nothing and many of the streets are impossible. Buses are sliding down hills evne with chains. Replies to this message: ex_tdier (Dec 24, 2008 12:15 pm)
#674 of 708 Re: Seattle is a mess! [isellhondas] by ex_tdier Dec 24, 2008 (12:15 pm)
Replying to: isellhondas (Dec 24, 2008 9:16 am) Yeah, but have you noticed that most SUVs with all season tires are getting up the hills without too much problem? I cant help wonder if global warming is somehow responsible for these extreme conditions.
#675 of 708 life of Blizzaks WS 50 by eisendo Jan 13, 2009 (11:26 am)
I bought my Blizzaks in January 2004, mounted & balanced on steel wheels. This (December 2008) is the first time I have noticed any slipping with them in snow. Hopefully, I'll be able to get through this winter OK. If I had to get through another winter, I would probably need a new set, although there seems to be a good amount of tread left.
#676 of 708 Do you know this? by krzyss Jan 13, 2009 (12:06 pm)
"NOTE: The first 55% of the Blizzak WS-50 tread depth features the Tube Multicell Compound while the remaining 45% features a standard winter tire compound." copied from tirerack.com http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Blizzak+W- S-50 Krzys Replies to this message: mz6greyghost (Jan 13, 2009 12:31 pm)
#677 of 708 Re: Do you know this? [krzyss] by mz6greyghost Jan 13, 2009 (12:31 pm)
Replying to: krzyss (Jan 13, 2009 12:06 pm) "NOTE: The first 55% of the Blizzak WS-50 tread depth features the Tube Multicell Compound while the remaining 45% features a standard winter tire compound." "Standard winter tire"? No. "All-season tire"? More accurate. IMO The Blizzak is worthless after half-tread. After two sets, each lasting just two seasons, on different vehicles, they were sloppy in snow, and no better than a brand-new all-season (still terrible IMO). I've found Dunlops and Michelins to last much longer, while maintaining excellent snow traction well past half-treadlife.
#678 of 708 Blizzaks gone after half tread... by shipo Jan 13, 2009 (12:34 pm)
Yup, I've run into the same thing, Blizzaks are pretty much worthless after half tread, however, the Michelins that I've run are good for maybe three-quarters of tread depth before they start getting sketchy. I've never tried Dunlops so I cannot comment on them. Best regards, Shipo
#679 of 708 Recommendations for a Rav4? by greatpaints Jun 23, 2009 (3:55 pm)
Hello, I just purchased a Rav4 4wd with 60k miles on it. The tires on it right now are Uniroyal Tigerpaws and are OEM. They actually have a significant amount of tread left. Even so, I would like to get a set of new winter tires for the cold season. I live a little ways north of Portland, OR / Vancouver, WA and I was stuck for 3 weeks last year in my own driveway because of snow and ice (not with this vehicle). I do not drive a lot of miles (less than 5k per year). I am at a higher elevation (~1200 feet) and I get widely varied conditions. Some dry roads, some rainy wet roads . Okay, many, many months of rainy wet roads, snow/ice for a couple weeks per year and occasionally there will be heavy frost in the shady parts of the road. The frost was the thing that had me losing traction last year the most. Probably because I ventured out thinking the roads were clear and I stayed home like a sissy when I knew the roads were slimy/slushy. I drive about 1/3rd on the interstate, 1/3 town driving and 1/3 winding country roads. Rav4 currently wears 215-70R 16 tires. I am looking for advice and suggestions for a new set of winter tires for my new sure-footed ride. Yes, I know it is summer. Now is the time to do research! Thank you! Replies to this message: hammerhead (Jun 24, 2009 6:15 am) dona83 (Sep 24, 2009 1:49 pm) hammerhead (Sep 24, 2009 6:25 pm) and 3 more...