First day in the snow

[baopham04]

OMG! it was a disaster! i was scared as shit! like on icy road, i'm fine. but when i'm on a bunch of hard snow balls, i can't get out of it. my car willl turn in one spot. so i tried turning off the DSC for a lil, and it seems like it works. So anyone suggesting me leaving the DSC off?

[GhostMercury]

are you on stock tires? If you are...park that shit till you get some snow tires. You might as well smash it into a snow bank right now trying to drive the stock tires in the snow.

[PCspeed3]

/\ what that guy said, plus if you get stuck and your wheels start spinning, dont keep giving it throttle. Put it in reverse and try to rock it back and forth to get out. If you just sit in one spot spinnin em' it will just get you stuck worse.

[paylew]

are you on stock tires? If you are...park that shit till you get some snow tires. You might as well smash it into a snow bank right now trying to drive the stock tires in the snow.

That's exactly what I did. I thought all the ice was gone and went to pick my sister up from school, I was wrong. Those tires are very obviously for the summer months.

[hectik1]

All season tires work well too.

[xtrememps]

It's called get a 2000 auto Protege pre-dinged up with some good all seasons on it and you're set lol...beater car ftw!

[spdjnke]

YES I second getting a set of snows it will save your ride and your life.

[essejkcamraw]

if only we had AWD (drive2)

[enshadowed]

even with awd these tires isnt made for snow

[Super Unique]

I put on a set of goodyear eagle GT and they are fine in the snow. Even allright on ice too....

Not sticky summer tires by any means, but a worthy compromise for all weather grip.

[robin2660]

All season tires work well too.

You keep saying that. Others too. I think it's rationalizing cheaping-out.

I used to drive AS tires and I was forced to consider different tires on this car for the winter (obvious reasons). After researching the subject, I came to the conclusion that Winters are FAR superior to All Seasons. Did you read the Tire Rack article on it?
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=120
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=168

I can back up their conclusions re. all-seasons vs winters with personal experience. The difference between all-seasons and winters is the same magnitude as summers vs all-seasons.

I used all-season tires for many years (20). I can't believe how much better things are now. I pass and out-handle/out-maneuver every car on the road that has all-season tires.

Yeah, all-seasons might be "good enough", but given the same conditions of a need to stop quickly, your car is going to hit something mine will stop well in advance.

Summary: The difference is NIGHT and DAY!

I wish crash statistics for insurance took this variable into account. Don't some provinces in Canada now require winter tires? Meaning, if you don't and you crash, you could be held liable ....

[robin2660]

if only we had AWD (drive2)

Remember, AWD neither gives you better turning traction nor better stopping ability given the same tires.

[mo08ms3]

Damn, glad I am in Florida!

[Super Unique]

Damn, glad I am in Florida!

There is a market for mild all season tires here in florida especially, since we get some cold weather, and very very little snow. But, summer tires just suck something awful when the temps get down and the rain begins. Not to mention if you venture further north on trips in the winter from time to time. A good all season tire works very very well in the souther regions of the country.

I hear a lot of talk about winter and summer tires as the godsend to their domain, but there are those of us whose needs fall somewhere between during the cold months.

[03.5-dc-speed]

stock tires FTW!!! the price to for winter tires that you drive on for 3-4 months is stupid in my mind! i live in utah and we just had a pretty bad storm the only issue i had with my car was going uphill from a dead stop, other than that i managed! just drive carful and dont hit the gas when you turn and do what pcspeed3 said too and youll be fine save the money for a nice mod in the spring!

[03.5-dc-speed]

http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq25/ms32009/GetAttachment.jpg

i drove through this just fine and it was only the beginning, ended up being like 4 more inches on top of that. just be careful and stay aware.

[Stamperman]

Just chipping in hear, I bought a set of all season Yoko W4's (225/45/18) because I drive my MS3 all year long in Ohio. Let me tell you, these things suck in ice and snow. I've had summer only tires that were better than these things. They are really good in the wet and decent in the dry, but that's about it. I've had several sets of different Yokohamas before, and they were all good all season tires, but not these.

I'm still probabably going to have to pony up for some winter tires and another set of rims.

[Olestra]

stock tires FTW!!! the price to for winter tires that you drive on for 3-4 months is stupid in my mind! i live in utah and we just had a pretty bad storm the only issue i had with my car was going uphill from a dead stop, other than that i managed! just drive carful and dont hit the gas when you turn and do what pcspeed3 said too and youll be fine save the money for a nice mod in the spring!

Or save the money for your trip to the body shop.

What you fail to realize is you're not wasting money, you're getting a set of tires that's better than your current tires and you're going to use them in future winters. The logic that winter tires are a waste if you only use them for 3-4 months is flawed.

You think you did ok because maybe you didn't get into any emergency situations because you drove carefully. What if someone cut you off and slammed on their brakes?

[03.5-dc-speed]

Or save the money for your trip to the body shop.

What you fail to realize is you're not wasting money, you're getting a set of tires that's better than your current tires and you're going to use them in future winters. The logic that winter tires are a waste if you only use them for 3-4 months is flawed.

You think you did ok because maybe you didn't get into any emergency situations because you drove carefully. What if someone cut you off and slammed on their brakes?

i actually did run into an emergency cituation. i had 2 spin outs in front of me and had to stop and i was also cut off by a car and semi truck all in the same day! i know the logic behind and know what they do. ive never had a set and have done fine without them even going snowboarding! my crx was fine and my msp last year was fine even with the shitty all season kumhos i had.

i just know how to get around in the snow i guess, but until i end up in the body shop or with a totaled car then im fine without them!

[dkswim]

my stackers were not that bad in the snow of corse i only had to deal with it through two storms while i was back home last x-mas i find it easyier to leave dsc on and let the lsd help pull you out

[08_MS3_GT]

i 'know how to get around in the snow' as well, given that all of my winters as a driver have been in the midwest. AND i've driven in the winter with various tires BUT i've never been bold enough to try summer tires.

yes, in mild snow conditions, or on dry roads, the winter tires aren't worth it. you can make do with crummy summer tires or high-performance all-seasons.

just wait, though. sooner or later, there will be a storm where the roads are terrible and you need to go somewhere. and you'll have to get to work or school etc. and you'll either get stuck 12 times or get your car totaled.

i love my dunlop winter 3d's. WELL worth the money. i've driven in 6" of snow and haven't had issues.

[Alexsered]

i actually did run into an emergency cituation. i had 2 spin outs in front of me and had to stop and i was also cut off by a car and semi truck all in the same day! i know the logic behind and know what they do. ive never had a set and have done fine without them even going snowboarding! my crx was fine and my msp last year was fine even with the shitty all season kumhos i had.

i just know how to get around in the snow i guess, but until i end up in the body shop or with a totaled car then im fine without them!

lol, some people are just scared of summer tires in the snow, and that's understandable for them, I've never had any issues, but i've been driving in snow it seems alot more than the people on here.

Winter tires are great, but no need if the driver knows how to drive in snow and it only really snows 4 times a year where I live now.

[FrequentFlyer]

There's only so much "knowing how to drive in the snow" will help you before simple physics takes over and then it's too late. Growing up in NJ, I "knew how to drive in the snow" also until I did a 720 degree spin out of nowhere (driving unaccelerated in a straight line) into a median with my S2000 (same Potenza RE050's).

[Alexsered]

There's only so much "knowing how to drive in the snow" will help you before simple physics takes over and then it's too late. Growing up in NJ, I "knew how to drive in the snow" also until I did a 720 degree spin out of nowhere (driving unaccelerated in a straight line) into a median with my S2000 (same Potenza RE050's).

if you did a 720, than your snow tires wouldn't have helped at all. Snow is slick, snow tires will only help so much, knowing how to drive in snow is more important than the tires you have on your car. That's not arguable.

[08_MS3_GT]

if you did a 720, than your snow tires wouldn't have helped at all. Snow is slick, snow tires will only help so much, knowing how to drive in snow is more important than the tires you have on your car. That's not arguable.

snow tires DO help a lot if you are aware of what you are doing. winter tires combined with driving skill simply means you have a much lesser chance of losing control.

while driving skill is important, tires are important as well.

the amount of snow per season where you live certainly is worth considering. if i had snow only a few times a year, then no big deal. but we have had 3 fee thus far and more is on the way.

i made it into work on friday after a foot of snow fell overnight. i got to work when subarus couldn't make it out of their parking lots. the potenzas wouldn't have gotten me there. one work day is equal to half the cost of snow tires for me, so, given my circumstances, it's worthwhile.

[Peter B]

Step 1) Get some snow tires fool!
Step 2) Learn to drive in the snow.

I have cheapo snow tires on mine, and my car handles better in the snow then any of the other cars my family has. In fact it handles better in the snow then any car I have ever owned.

[Alexsered]

snow tires DO help a lot if you are aware of what you are doing. winter tires combined with driving skill simply means you have a much lesser chance of losing control.

while driving skill is important, tires are important as well.

the amount of snow per season where you live certainly is worth considering. if i had snow only a few times a year, then no big deal. but we have had 3 fee thus far and more is on the way.

i made it into work on friday after a foot of snow fell overnight. i got to work when subarus couldn't make it out of their parking lots. the potenzas wouldn't have gotten me there. one work day is equal to half the cost of snow tires for me, so, given my circumstances, it's worthwhile.

If I had that much snow where I live now, than yeah, it's either get snow tires or stay home, but it does only snow a few times a year here, and maybe only one time that it snows more than 3 inches.

[03.5-dc-speed]

lol, some people are just scared of summer tires in the snow, and that's understandable for them, I've never had any issues, but i've been driving in snow it seems alot more than the people on here.

Winter tires are great, but no need if the driver knows how to drive in snow and it only really snows 4 times a year where I live now.


yeah there are so many scared drivers in utah not to mention the people from other countries that have never driven in these conditions!

[03.5-dc-speed]

i 'know how to get around in the snow' as well, given that all of my winters as a driver have been in the midwest. AND i've driven in the winter with various tires BUT i've never been bold enough to try summer tires.

yes, in mild snow conditions, or on dry roads, the winter tires aren't worth it. you can make do with crummy summer tires or high-performance all-seasons.

just wait, though. sooner or later, there will be a storm where the roads are terrible and you need to go somewhere. and you'll have to get to work or school etc. and you'll either get stuck 12 times or get your car totaled.

i love my dunlop winter 3d's. WELL worth the money. i've driven in 6" of snow and haven't had issues.

i too have drivin in 6 + inches of snow including last week and have never had an issue. my only issue was in my mazdaspeed protege last year in a big rain storm we had but thats a different story. im just not like a lot of people i guess. when it storms im not in fear of driving, i know what to expect so i drive with caution and im aware of the other people who are terrified of the conditions and should have stayed home.

[robin2660]

i love my dunlop winter 3d's. WELL worth the money. i've driven in 6" of snow and haven't had issues.

+1. Superb winter tire and a good value too. I think I paid right around $100 ea. in 16".

The Firestone WinterForce looks like a good bargain.
http://tinyurl.com/7cwhza

[FrequentFlyer]

+1. Superb winter tire and a good value too. I think I paid right around $100 ea. in 16".

The Firestone WinterForce looks like a good bargain.
http://tinyurl.com/7cwhza

Having experienced what driving on Blizzak WS-50's is like, these Dunlops are a dream as far as snow tires go, but that's the difference between a studless snow and a performance winter. The Dunlops feel pretty much like I still have the Potenza's on the car, especially around turns. They have "0" tread squirm and dry grip is very good. I'm sure they won't be as good in the snow, but definitely be good enough to be a nice compromise for commuting longer distances in the winter.

[Antonio DiMarco]

+1. Superb winter tire and a good value too. I think I paid right around $100 ea. in 16".

The Firestone WinterForce looks like a good bargain.
http://tinyurl.com/7cwhza

I'm probably going to get a set for my MS3 on steelies today as well. We got a lot of snow in the Boston area this past weekend and my wife and I went out during some of the snowfall on Sunday. The 5 drove great on the Firestones. As long as you drive calmly the experience was similar to driving on dry pavement. Of course driving like a maniac will break loose the best tires. Never felt like we would get stuck and plowed through those annoying walls plows leave behind at every entrance with ease.

They handle pretty well too. They're not performance tires by any means but they defintely know how to handle snow. I set pressure at 38-40psi and they are not as squirmy.

I've found Mazda cars to be extremely good in the snow. Not surprising since they are well-balanced cars. Snows make them utterly unstoppable unless you seriously bottom out on a snow drift.

Anyway for cheap money those FS's are a great deal. The one's on my wife's 5 have two winters worth of wear (~10,000/year) and they still have plenty of tread. Probably last another two seasons.

[jred321]

i too have drivin in 6 + inches of snow including last week and have never had an issue. my only issue was in my mazdaspeed protege last year in a big rain storm we had but thats a different story. im just not like a lot of people i guess. when it storms im not in fear of driving, i know what to expect so i drive with caution and im aware of the other people who are terrified of the conditions and should have stayed home.
as someone else mentioned, knowing how to drive won't help you overcome physics. when you have no traction and need to do anything other than continue in the direction you're traveling you'll learn. being 18 it's a pretty safe bet that you have a LOT LESS experience in snow than many people on this board and have a lot of learning to do. knowing how to drive in snow is great but you're flirting with disaster.

when i was 16-20 i drove on all seasons during the winter and never had any problems. any storm we got i'd go out and drive in it. then when i got my MSP since it came with summers i just decided to get winters. the difference was amazing. after that it was the evo and same thing. that car was absolutely amazing with winters - i could confidently go the speed limit on the highway in the middle of a snowstorm. now with my 3 i'm back on all seasons because i don't feel like buying another set of tires. let me tell you they suck. sure i can get around and i can adjust my driving so i'm not going to put myself in any danger but there are always situations i can't predict that i know if they come up i'm screwed where with snow tires it was almost like driving on dry pavement. winter tires allow you to enjoy driving in the snow. i would look forward to storms so i could go play. now if i have to go out i'll go but i certainly don't look forward to it

something else to remember is that when you have your winters on you don't have your summers on. so on a tire with a 15-20k treadlife not having them on for 3-4 months/year is going to put off purchasing a new set of expensive performance tires by a decent amount

[Antonio DiMarco]

There's only so much "knowing how to drive in the snow" will help you before simple physics takes over and then it's too late. Growing up in NJ, I "knew how to drive in the snow" also until I did a 720 degree spin out of nowhere (driving unaccelerated in a straight line) into a median with my S2000 (same Potenza RE050's).

People who think they can be in a 100% control in the snow at all times are fooling themselves. Like Frequent flyer said it's the emergency manuevers that will bite you.

Also consider that driving too slow is also a hazard. I was out in the snow last Sunday and a person who was apparently afraid of driving in the snow was causing cars to bunch up dangerously close to one another. I was able to pass her safely in our 5 with snows. On the other hand I was coming home from work Friday when it started snowing and the MS3 had a hard time getting up a 10 degree grade with 3 inches of snow on Pirelli P-Zero Neros M&S.

No matter how safe you are there is no way you can forsee every problem. Snows increase your chances of getting through those unforseen situations.

[Russm]

Good Day
About 48 " of snow, 3" sleet and icey rain in Dec so far in SE WI and the Yoko AVID W4S have worked just fine, glad there are no Mtns around here though: THERE IS NO GREAT tire for the snow but some are a lot better than others, driver does help and could really hurt!

[03.5-dc-speed]

as someone else mentioned, knowing how to drive won't help you overcome physics. when you have no traction and need to do anything other than continue in the direction you're traveling you'll learn. being 18 it's a pretty safe bet that you have a LOT LESS experience in snow than many people on this board and have a lot of learning to do. knowing how to drive in snow is great but you're flirting with disaster.

when i was 16-20 i drove on all seasons during the winter and never had any problems. any storm we got i'd go out and drive in it. then when i got my MSP since it came with summers i just decided to get winters. the difference was amazing. after that it was the evo and same thing. that car was absolutely amazing with winters - i could confidently go the speed limit on the highway in the middle of a snowstorm. now with my 3 i'm back on all seasons because i don't feel like buying another set of tires. let me tell you they suck. sure i can get around and i can adjust my driving so i'm not going to put myself in any danger but there are always situations i can't predict that i know if they come up i'm screwed where with snow tires it was almost like driving on dry pavement. winter tires allow you to enjoy driving in the snow. i would look forward to storms so i could go play. now if i have to go out i'll go but i certainly don't look forward to it

something else to remember is that when you have your winters on you don't have your summers on. so on a tire with a 15-20k treadlife not having them on for 3-4 months/year is going to put off purchasing a new set of expensive performance tires by a decent amount

wow you sound like my mom or dad! haha. but im not saying im the god of driving in the snow, im just saying i know what to expect and take it as a precaution. if i wreck, i wreck. maybe next year i will get them but i will take my chances for now. and besides i think the stockers are pretty decent for what they are. i think if i were to get snow tires i would be less cautious and end up thinking that i was invinsible with the tires and do something stupid. also where i live the roads are takin care of pretty well.