new rims saved my life.

[kamikazestorm420]

hey this might be a noob question but how come your not suppose to have wide tires in the snow?

it never snows here so i wanted to know.

[IanS]

hey this might be a noob question but how come your not suppose to have wide tires in the snow?

it never snows here so i wanted to know.

There are a few reasons. A smaller contact patch means more weight per square inch, this allows the tires to cut into snow and ice harder. Also, a skinny tire will plow less snow in front of it, decreasing your rolling resistance, and the amount of snow the tire packs under itself.

[KA24Power]

There are a few reasons. A smaller contact patch means more weight per square inch, this allows the tires to cut into snow and ice harder. Also, a skinny tire will plow less snow in front of it, decreasing your rolling resistance, and the amount of snow the tire packs under itself.

think of it like a ski versus a snowboard.. the ski is skinnier and if you put say 170lbs on one ski, its going to cut through the snow more than if you were to put 180lbs on a snowboard. The bigger contact patch distributes the weight causing the tire to drive on top of the snow (less traction) but when you have a skinny tire it cuts through to get traction on the ground underneath (more traction)

Ever watched snow rally racing? They run super skinny tires.. like 175 profile skinny.

[Bwana]

I just leave the 240 and the MG in the shop when there's any chance of snow and drive the old Dodge diesel...

[skydragoness]

I actually dislike AWD, I dont like the way they tend to push in grip compromised situations, the only AWD car Ive driven that did not seriously have that issue was an Evo VIII. I like RWD because it will always over steer, it is predictable and it allows me a more finite level of control. The only thing AWD is good for is starting from a stop or getting unstuck when you stuff it. Thats just how I roll though

Hmm. Interesting. I've only driven a GC8 2.5 RS and not in a manner to know it's limits. I would figure since the EVO is more fwd-biased in its drivetrain setup that it would be the one that would exhibit more 'push' .. and when you say 'grip compromised' you mean you noticed more understeer in Subaru's in the snow/rain? I like RWD myself, been driving this thing for a long time and it's all i'm accustomed to (when I drive my brother's Camry i have to remember to not let the car steer itself cause it won't work.. hehe) but I still want a Suby for a winter beater. I want to make sure my S13 stays rust free.

[kamikazestorm420]

think of it like a ski versus a snowboard.. the ski is skinnier and if you put say 170lbs on one ski, its going to cut through the snow more than if you were to put 180lbs on a snowboard. The bigger contact patch distributes the weight causing the tire to drive on top of the snow (less traction) but when you have a skinny tire it cuts through to get traction on the ground underneath (more traction)

Ever watched snow rally racing? They run super skinny tires.. like 175 profile skinny.

There are a few reasons. A smaller contact patch means more weight per square inch, this allows the tires to cut into snow and ice harder. Also, a skinny tire will plow less snow in front of it, decreasing your rolling resistance, and the amount of snow the tire packs under itself.

thanks!!! didnt know that

[MinisterofDOOM]

All-seasons just don't cut it for winter, they're only okay if you live as south as I do or further down.

Exactly right!! Z

With RWD cars, I completely agree.

However, with FWD cars...well...We get some nasty winters here and I've never run anything but all seasons on the Max. They get me through fine. Never had an accident in the snow or ice (or rain or anywhere for that matter).

Right now I'm running a set of Falken all-seasons and they seem to be serving the Max just fine in the snow.

It's just hard to justify spending ~$300-$400 on tires I'll use for a couple months a year at most and probably won't end up *needing* at all.

[Looneybomber]

Those have to be the best looking "winter wheels" I have ever seen.

It's just hard to justify spending ~$300-$400 on tires I'll use for a couple months a year at most and probably won't end up *needing* at all.

It's cheaper than doing what I did and buying a 4x4 SUV for bad weather and an s2000 for good weather.

[IanS]

Hmm. Interesting. I've only driven a GC8 2.5 RS and not in a manner to know it's limits. I would figure since the EVO is more fwd-biased in its drivetrain setup that it would be the one that would exhibit more 'push' .. and when you say 'grip compromised' you mean you noticed more understeer in Subaru's in the snow/rain? I like RWD myself, been driving this thing for a long time and it's all i'm accustomed to (when I drive my brother's Camry i have to remember to not let the car steer itself cause it won't work.. hehe) but I still want a Suby for a winter beater. I want to make sure my S13 stays rust free.

This is true, I enjoyed driving the 2.5RS in the snow, the lack of boost lag made things a lot more fun, and I think that is why I enjoyed the EVO also, my real complaints are with the older WRXs, because the boost lag takes some serious getting used to. But, the fact remains that with AWD, you can never be sure when its going to push, whether its in the snow or on gravel. Its just one of the foibles of AWD that I do not enjoy. The reason I drive my S14 in the winter is, I already have a lot of rust, and I plan on transferring all my parts to a new shell next summer.

[szh]

Another important thing: when you use snow tires, use them on all four wheels. The "common" advice to only use two snow tires (on the driven wheels) is wrong!

Z

[f1seb]

Those wheels are huge....they make the car just look, odd. There's that huge huge space in there around the rotors that makes it look more odd. I just don't like that "baller" (sp?) look on sport compacts at all. But it's a good thing your car survived most likely more to luck than your new wheels.

[OldmanPurdy]

Another important thing: when you use snow tires, use them on all four wheels. The "common" advice to only use two snow tires (on the driven wheels) is wrong!

Z

Yeah my parents figured they would save money by putting winter tires only on the front tires of an fwd Taurus wagon.......I asked them how they feel about oversteer they apparently don't like it because within a week we had all 4 winter tires.

[240z4u]

I won't repeat what the others have said...

My "winter" tires were kumho 711s on 16" wheels. They were hell in WI. I got a set of used blizzak WS50s off of a guy who had a G35 on craigslist. I got wheels and tires for 200 bucks delivered to my apartment. They looked new and even came with lugs.

The difference is astounding, I fear no snow or ice now. Best investment I have ever made for safety.

Evan

[BadMojo]

I used decent all seasons on my old Ford Tempo and that thing was rock solid in the snow. I guess have a large iron block lump over the front wheels sort of helped.

Another vote for *real* snow tires if you live somewhere that actually gets decent snow accumulation. I'm sure the Hakkep-blahblahblahs are awesome based on the reviews I've read, but Blizzaks are much cheaper and easy to find. Love mine.

Snow Tip #1: Only drive as fast as you'd want to hit something. Seriously, 80mph on the best snow tires ever could easily turn you in to road pizza.

[IanS]

Another important thing: when you use snow tires, use them on all four wheels. The "common" advice to only use two snow tires (on the driven wheels) is wrong!

Z

[DjTravisSW]

This thread is making me think if I should get some rain tires too. Starting to rain in southern california and all the oil is coming up off the roads heh.

I just don't have the money for a set of rims.Car came with some aftermarket 17s.