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Honda Odyssey Snow Traction & Handling

38 messages,  Last post on Dec 09, 2009 at 7:24 AM

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#29 of 38 Re: Switching to Snow Tires with 07 Ody EX - TPMS Questions [jmn3] by sreiss Feb 28, 2009 (2:20 pm)
Replying to: jmn3 (Feb 26, 2009 8:05 pm) Certainly does not track with my experience. As noted elsewhere - try Tirerack.com - give them a call and talk to one of their people on the phone about what you need. Except for potential supply shortages because we are more towards the end of the snow season than the beginning, I would be surprised if you could not get a good snow tire that would work well. I did for my 01 Odyssey which I drove for 7 years and then for my 07 Ody which is working well on the Blizzaks I put on it.   I have a quarter-mile long driveway that has multiple 15% grade hills and sharp curves and I drive it with confidence with the Blizzaks. I agree it would be unsafe to do with the stock all-seasons, so I swap over to the Blizzaks in early winter and leave them on until major threat of snow passes for the year - located in Connecticut.
#30 of 38 Re: Switching to Snow Tires with 07 Ody EX - TPMS Questions [jmn3] by michaelok Mar 04, 2009 (10:05 pm)
Replying to: jmn3 (Feb 26, 2009 8:05 pm) "I have been trying to find snow tires for my 2006 for 2 years now to no avail."   I have been very satisfied with Nokian tires. These are very serious tires, with aggressive treads. They even make an excellent studded bike tire.   They do have tires for the Odyssey. I have the Hakkapeliitta "Sport Utility" (SUV) model. It seems from a quick check of their web site they have many dealers in MN (at least in MPLS as would be expected), so check around a little. I bought mine here in Wisconsin, at an American Tire Center I believe, but they are readily available at many shops, perhaps not the big internet-only ones.   I have a very short and steep driveway so that is my test, if I can get up that driveway without shoveling, and the Odyssey, clad with the Nokian, do just fine, no slipping unless icy.   In general, I've been pleased the way the Ody handles in the snow, but this is with the snows of course. I did buy steel rims, but not the TPMS, that would be significantly more expensive. I don't recall, but I believe (and this was at the dealer) they tried to install them, but gave up, suggested I go without the TPMS. My feeling is "4 snows > TPMS", so no problem.   Good luck on finding the Nokians, they are definitely worth considering. http://www.nokiantires.com
#31 of 38 upstate new york snow - niagra falls - by inspectoring Dec 05, 2009 (2:10 am)
I am about to buy an odyssey and I am concerned that how it would perform in the Niagara falls snow? Is it really that unsafe or should we consider the SUV? I hear that it does well in the snow but I am not certain if the people with that claim actually live in the heavy duty snow area ?   I will be very grateful for any input ! Thank you ! Replies to this message: sreiss (Dec 05, 2009 5:24 am) bigdadi118 (Dec 05, 2009 7:36 am)
#32 of 38 Re: upstate new york snow - niagra falls - [inspectoring] by sreiss Dec 05, 2009 (5:24 am)
Replying to: inspectoring (Dec 05, 2009 2:10 am) If one of your major criteria in buying a vehicle is the ability to move around in snow, I would not buy a minivan. It's not what they are engineered for, in my view. That said, my personal experience is that the Ody is great in snow, but it's not the car I take if it's really coming down and I have to get somewhere. If you have flexibility in when you travel, and put good snow tires on it, and the roads are well maintained in your area, then the Ody is great.   I don't have any personal experience with the Pilot (I assume that's what you are referring to when you say "the SUV"), however I would expect that it would be very good in snow. I have a lot of experience with the CRV, and with good tires, the AWD system (which kicks in when needed and is off otherwise) is very effective. I have been able to move up steep, slippery hills, weaving my way around other stranded cars.
#33 of 38 Re: upstate new york snow - niagra falls - [inspectoring] by bigdadi118 Dec 05, 2009 (7:36 am)
Replying to: inspectoring (Dec 05, 2009 2:10 am) Ody does not have AWD while the Sienna does. If you live in Buffalo/ Niagara Falls area, Sienna AWD is your better minivan choice. Even AWD you still need snow tires for best handling, faster acceleration and shorter braking distance in snow/ice. Example Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 (Studless Ice & Snow) Aaverage rating.8.3 Size: 235/65R16 Sidewall Style: Blackwall Serv. Desc: 103R Load Index 103 = 1929lbs (875kg) per tire   Minivan ground clearance is not as good as the SUVs, though you don't need to climb in and out of the cabin. Speed Rating "R" = 106mph (170kph) Price: $105.00 (each)
#34 of 38 Snow tires for front wheel drive by kt5 Dec 07, 2009 (5:01 pm)
Hi Ya'll,   We just recently moved from the southeast US and our 05 Ody only has front wheel drive. We now live in Idaho and already have snow. Will putting snow tires on all four wheels make a big difference since we only have front wheel drive? Also, do snow tires even help much with ice, or should I use chains on icy days? Thanks! Replies to this message: sreiss (Dec 07, 2009 5:43 pm) bigdadi118 (Dec 07, 2009 9:33 pm)
#35 of 38 Re: Snow tires for front wheel drive [kt5] by sreiss Dec 07, 2009 (5:43 pm)
Replying to: kt5 (Dec 07, 2009 5:01 pm) You should use snows on all four tires - you need to worry about braking as much as you do about accelerating. Probably even more so   Ice is tough no matter what. Chains are better than snows. Some snows for sure have some effectiveness on ice, such as Blizzaks (the only ones that I have personal experience with.) They are engineered to have small slits, or sipes, on the tread to increase traction. However, ice by definition is not going to offer much traction. In some areas of the country people use studded tires where there are small metal spikes protruding from the treads to grip in ice. I believe they are not legal in some jurisdictions as they tear up the road surface.
#36 of 38 Re: Snow tires for front wheel drive [kt5] by bigdadi118 Dec 07, 2009 (9:33 pm)
Replying to: kt5 (Dec 07, 2009 5:01 pm) There is a wealth of info re Winter Tires / Driving ...   http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/index.jsp
#37 of 38 Re: Switching to Snow Tires with 07 Ody EX - TPMS Questions [jmn3] by mammyu2009 Dec 09, 2009 (6:20 am)
Replying to: jmn3 (Feb 26, 2009 8:05 pm) I was warned by a friend about the Odyssey's tires. I bought it anyway.   "Big Mistake"  I live in Massachusetts. These tires are so very bad in the snow. My old Dodge Caravan never gave me any trouble and now I buy a much more expensive car and I have problems I never had!!    Right now there are six inches of snow in the street. I cannot go out today. period. I tried already..it just slides. When I had my Caravan, I would not have given it another thought..just drive slowly and crunch along. To me all the fancy extras really arent worth the monthly bill; I just need the basics, dependability to drive being tops on that list Honda!!!
#38 of 38 Performance in 6" of snow by sreiss Dec 09, 2009 (7:24 am)
In my experience you will want dedicated snow tires on the Ody if you plan to drive around in six inches of snow.   There may be all season tires that are better in snow than the original equipment tires that Honda chose-- perhaps you could use the same make and brand that were on your Caravan. But I know for sure that if I were driving around in six inches of snow, I would a) have dedicated snow tires and b) drive a different vehicle than a minivan.

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