Your TSX in Snow...How did it do?
09-14-2004, 06:31 PM
#45
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Location: Seattle, WA
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We don't get a lot of snow here in Portland usually (just like Seattle), but we did get 2 good storms (~6") last winter, so I got a little bit of experience with the TSX and stock tires.
Starting Up: Step 1 - Turn off the VSA. I'd never driven a car with traction control of any kind before, so I didn't think of this at first. If you're starting up on any kind of a hill with the VSA on and stock tires, the car won't go. The wheels will slip, and the VSA will cut the throttle to keep the wheels from slipping. If you turn the VSA off, you can use a little wheel spin to get you going.
Cornering: Not too bad. The VSA was kind of fun, it does help keep the car in line, but if you're driving slow enough to be safe, it won't do much.
Overall: I would say it's average for a FWD car. For someplace like Seattle, it'll be fine. If we have a rare storm like the January storm this past year, you'll have a lot of trouble with some of the hills, but you can just stay home that day. Snow tires would *vastly* improve the handling, but that's true of just about any car, FWD, RWD or 4WD. I plan to pick some snows up for this winter so I don't have to chain up when going skiing.
John
Starting Up: Step 1 - Turn off the VSA. I'd never driven a car with traction control of any kind before, so I didn't think of this at first. If you're starting up on any kind of a hill with the VSA on and stock tires, the car won't go. The wheels will slip, and the VSA will cut the throttle to keep the wheels from slipping. If you turn the VSA off, you can use a little wheel spin to get you going.
Cornering: Not too bad. The VSA was kind of fun, it does help keep the car in line, but if you're driving slow enough to be safe, it won't do much.
Overall: I would say it's average for a FWD car. For someplace like Seattle, it'll be fine. If we have a rare storm like the January storm this past year, you'll have a lot of trouble with some of the hills, but you can just stay home that day. Snow tires would *vastly* improve the handling, but that's true of just about any car, FWD, RWD or 4WD. I plan to pick some snows up for this winter so I don't have to chain up when going skiing.
John
, and AQR why do you hate the TSX...?
10-31-2004, 10:25 PM
#48
I'm the Firestarter
Originally Posted by bhjazz
Considering a TSX. We don't get much snow around here, but how does your tsx do in the snow or ice? In the next year I need a vehicle that cannot fail me - in any weather. PERIOD!
I rarely even hear people complain about RWD cars. Any FWD car will be fine, trust me.
02-02-2005, 07:30 PM
#54
Moderator Alumnus
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Windsor-Quebec corridor
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MMMkay...
Since this thread has come back from the dead and the first posts contained such random myths, I better do my part to help clean up the crap:
Let's see:
No, just the opposite, you want higher pressure on snow and ice. You want your tire to be "stiffer" with a smaller footprint to dig into the snow and ice. Ever watch the rally cars on the speed channel on TV? Very narrow tires in the snow and ice, big fat low preasure tires on hardtop.
Yes for snow, NO for ice. For ice, you want a larger contact patch, so generally speaking, you would prefer a lower PSI on a very soft treaded tire. Ideal would be to have studs. The only reason rally cars have narrow tires for ice is because they are studded, so they don't need to be as wide. Same reason for PSI, since the rubber doesn't actully come into contact with the ice, or very little, higher PSI is tolerable. But a non-studded tire is better off with lower PSI on ice.
On Tarmac, higher tire pressure is better.
Get yourself GOOD winter tires fool! You don't live far enough to the south that you don't have winters. With good snow tires, the TSX does well.
Arctic Alpins are some of the worst witer tires one can get for snow, wet snow, slush and heavy water conditions, which are for the most part what we encounter here in Northeastern NA. It's part of the reason they were discontinued last year.
But still, it's better than all season tires. Don't fool yourself, being cautious won't do shit for you in an emergency situation.
Wear the damn winter tires foo!!
Since this thread has come back from the dead and the first posts contained such random myths, I better do my part to help clean up the crap:
Let's see:
Originally Posted by Nick250
Originally Posted by Snowflake
Is it better to run the tires on a lower pressure when there is snow/ice?
No, just the opposite, you want higher pressure on snow and ice. You want your tire to be "stiffer" with a smaller footprint to dig into the snow and ice. Ever watch the rally cars on the speed channel on TV? Very narrow tires in the snow and ice, big fat low preasure tires on hardtop.
On Tarmac, higher tire pressure is better.
Originally Posted by hondaboy_tsx
Terrible in the snow. I live in Southwestern PA, so I'm surrounded by hills everywhere I go. I just couldn't go anywhere. Car wouldn't go up slippery hills. I imagine if I lived somewhere flatter, it'd be fine.
Originally Posted by sveet
Tires are probably marginal. Ultimate performance could be had with some Artic Alpins / Blizzak's, etc... I'm sticking with the all seasons and being careful
But still, it's better than all season tires. Don't fool yourself, being cautious won't do shit for you in an emergency situation.
Wear the damn winter tires foo!!
02-03-2005, 06:41 PM
#55
dɐɹɔ ǝɥʇ ʇɐɥʍ
I am running mine with 16" wheels off a 01 TL, fits perfect, with prototype Nokian Hakkapeliitta 4's the car is nothing short of amazing in winter conditions. With generic all seasons any car is bad in snow, this platform works well; its not overly torquey, doesn't rev up fast, fairly balanced not so sure about the VSA but that's easy enough to turn off.
02-04-2005, 08:24 AM
#56
Instructor
Join Date: Oct 2004
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we jus had about an inch or two here in MD last night. interstate was jammed, so I took the back way home. It was actually fun and handles quite well.
I happen to come uppon a really expensive mercedes spinning its tires on a hill. I had to come to almost a complete stop on the hill behind this guy and then decided to go around. the traction control kicked in, and it went right up the hill...it was awesome! If I didn't have that traction control, I would have been stuck behind that guy.
I happen to come uppon a really expensive mercedes spinning its tires on a hill. I had to come to almost a complete stop on the hill behind this guy and then decided to go around. the traction control kicked in, and it went right up the hill...it was awesome! If I didn't have that traction control, I would have been stuck behind that guy.
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