performance of stock tires in snow?

dyck888 · Aug 9, 2009, 10:56 PM

does anyone tried their RA with the stock tires in the snow? just want to know the performance of this yokohama summer tires in winter season...

Euripides · Aug 9, 2009, 11:52 PM

mine were the dunlops, and i tried it and it sucked big time

StateOfTheArt · Aug 10, 2009, 05:16 AM

I imagine it can't be any worse than having a FWD with snow or even a RWD with snow tires, I am pretty sure the braking will be bad.

ambystom01 · Aug 10, 2009, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StateOfTheArt

I imagine it can't be any worse than having a FWD with snow or even a RWD with snow tires, I am pretty sure the braking will be bad.

? You seriously think that an AWD car with summer tires will be as capable in snow as a FWD car with snow tires? You have serious misconceptions about AWD. An AWD car with all-seasons won't be as sure-footed in snow as another car with actual snow tires.

**SmikeEvo** · Aug 10, 2009, 07:06 AM

/facepalm.

Get, at the least, all season tires. Summer tires are not meant to be driven in sub 32* weather. The compound would equate to that of a hockey puck - not what you want for ice/snow/cold roads.

DetroitRA · Aug 10, 2009, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyck888

does anyone tried their RA with the stock tires in the snow? just want to know the performance of this yokohama summer tires in winter season...

I have. Don't do it. /thread.

Seriously though, take my word for it, don't even try driving in sub 32 degs on the stock Yokos. I was stuck with them for a week or so after I purchased my RA last year, it was NOT enjoyable at all. I did get them siped the same week I took it my RA home, thinking it'd help...didn't do much. But now that it's warm out the siping is pretty effective

.

If you can't afford a dedicated set of snow tires, at least invest in a cheap set of all seasons. Cheap all seasons > Stock Yokos in winter conditions.

dyck888 · Aug 10, 2009, 07:51 AM

thanks for all the info! i have to show this thread to my wife so i could get new sets of all season tires... wooo hoooo...

any idea whats the most recommended all season and widest size of tires will fit in our stock rims?

ambystom01 · Aug 10, 2009, 07:57 AM

If you can afford it, I would recommend getting a separate set of rims with winter tires on them. You don't need fancy rims, just something to get you by. If you price out a set of 17" rims with winters on Tirerack, it may come out similar to a set of 18" all-seasons and the difference in cold weather grip will be very noticeable.

DetroitRA · Aug 10, 2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyck888

thanks for all the info! i have to show this thread to my wife so i could get new sets of all season tires... wooo hoooo...

any idea whats the most recommended all season and widest size of tires will fit in our stock rims?

I had a set of Khumo Ecsta ASX's on my old car...can't complain about the all season performance of daily driving. Grip was good all around, winter grip could've been worse. But it does its job as an "all-season" tire.

You should be able to pick up a set of ASX's at any discount tire shop...tire rack has them a little cheaper if you want to go that way.

In the end though, I'd agree with Amby. If you can afford it, grab yourself a set of dedicated winter tires on some cheap wheels.

**SmikeEvo** · Aug 10, 2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dyck888

thanks for all the info! i have to show this thread to my wife so i could get new sets of all season tires... wooo hoooo...

any idea whats the most recommended all season and widest size of tires will fit in our stock rims?

You need to read these articles:
http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/index.jsp

Thinner width for the winter, wider for the summer.

Having a wide all-season would be like having snowboards for tires - useless.

Get OE sized or thinner for winter.

jazket · Aug 10, 2009, 09:11 AM

Hum... the stock tires are summer... not winter/all season... and seeing as how BAD they are on tarmac... I wouldn't want to use them in snow lol

swap them asap

ambystom01 · Aug 10, 2009, 09:48 AM

I'm of the general opinion that all-seasons are no seasons. They have to make compromises all-around and I don't see the point in having crap tires on a good car.

**SmikeEvo** · Aug 10, 2009, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ambystom01

I'm of the general opinion that all-seasons are no seasons. They have to make compromises all-around and I don't see the point in having crap tires on a good car.

You're Canadian

, if I lived up there (well sorta do in NH), I'd run a full out snow. Which I am planning on for this winter.

But, when I lived in MI, I always ran A/S tires.

ambystom01 · Aug 10, 2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmikeEvo

You're Canadian

, if I lived up there (well sorta do in NH), I'd run a full out snow. Which I am planning on for this winter.

But, when I lived in MI, I always ran A/S tires.

I'm in a weird part of Canada. We don't have consistent winter weather due to chinooks, it can be the middle of december and the temperature is above 0. I still run winters for piece of mind and to get the most out of the car.

Ladogaboy · Aug 10, 2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ambystom01

If you can afford it, I would recommend getting a separate set of rims with winter tires on them. You don't need fancy rims, just something to get you by. If you price out a set of 17" rims with winters on Tirerack, it may come out similar to a set of 18" all-seasons and the difference in cold weather grip will be very noticeable.

You could also buy a cheap set of EVO 8 or 9 rims and slap some tires on those. The stock rims will hold up to a 225, but as several people have mentioned: Wider is not always better (somewhat true in gravel, dirt or mud but especially true in snow).

I, too, am of the opinion that A/S tires are a waste. I realize the irony in my saying that since my car currently is shod with A/S tires, but that is more the result of an unfortunate event. In Southern California, where the temperatures rarely hit the 30s, and the weather is mostly warm and dry for about eight months out of the year, A/S tires ARE a waste. Due to some of my extra curricular activities, I also prefer to have a dedicated set of M/S tires.