I just got my RL almost 2 weeks ago and talked to my buddy in the service dept. He said it does good. I live in northern Va about 20 minutes outside of DC. We either get a big snowy winter or a mild 60 degree one. Its hit or miss. I am siked to get the RL out in it and experiment. Do the OE tires do ok because tirerack says they are bad in the snow? Any input would be great. I love the snow around the hollidays and love driveing in it. Also my wife commutes to work so she will drive the RL on snowy days. Anyone who drove one last winter with some feedback or tire recomindations would be awsome. Thanks This car rocks.

 

With Dunlop M3 snow tires, this car was superb in snow last year. I lived in the mountains of Vermont and had no problems at all.

 

Tires are -everything- for snow performance. Then add the driver as the second most important component. Car is last. So 'invest' in some real snow tires (Blizzaks used to the top but I'm not sure what the story is now) and drive intelligently. I have no doubt that the RL will do its part but physics are what they are. The car is heavy and without grip it will be hard to slow it down. No AWD system will help there. Finally you can rest assured in the knowledge that the passive safety systems (cage, airbags etc) will probably keep you and yours safe should things go bad. Low center of gravity compared to SUVs is a huge advantage as well, especially during emergency manouvers.

 

Thanks kliste, I will have to price those. I am thinking about putting some better winter tires on also because my wifes family lives in upstate PA and we go up there a couple times in the winter around the holidays. I love driving on road trips through there but want to also be safe at the same time. Hopefully when I can I will get the aspecs and put summer tires on those so I don't have to remount tires at the change of season.

 

The OEM tires SUCK in the snow. I mean they arent so bad that snow tires are a must but damn, the OEMs sure do stink.

 

I live near Boulder, CO. Got my RL last November and found it to be very good in the snow. No need to change from the OE all-season tires as the snow here is rarely on the pavement for more than a day. Found it easily handled 6''-8" of snow. As good as my 2001 Mercedes E320 4Matic, perhaps better.

Try the OE tires in the snow before investing in new wheels and winter tires.

 

Great suggestions guys, thanks for all the input. I have to convince my wife before I buy anything else for this car, even tires. Some of you may know how that is.LOL She always says that cars are not toys. Women will never understand.

 

Are all OEM tires the same? I have Michelin somethingorothers but had a Bridgestone warranty in my doc-pack

As I'm in the SF Bay Area I'm mostly worried about winter rain. No snow here. Oh wait, I forgot I'll be in NY next winter! :-(

 

I am not sure Nocturnal. I have the Michelins. The reviews say they are poor in the snow and that is why I was concerned. If you go to www.tirerack.com they only show one tire for OEM and that is the michelin but my books also included a bridestone brochure. I think that is probabaly for the spare.

 

Highly reccomend changing them from the OEM tires to something else - even if you don't get dedicated snow tires, something like the pilot sport a/s will do well without having to swap tires for the season. Personally I have the pilot sport a/s with about 4k miles on them and I am going to upgrade to the 18" wheels and then put a set of snow tires on the OEM wheels (that is, if anybody decides they want my pilot sport a/s for the 17" wheels).

As klister said, the dunlop m3 are supposed to be top notch snow tires

 

I suggest changing the tires to better all seasons if you can. Not only do the OEMs suck in the snow they suck period. They squeal like a commanche and are loud.

I figure I am going to run the shit out of my OEMs and then before next winter get some dedicated snows and some summer tires & rims or maybe just get a solid set of all seasons.

I am moving next month so dont really want to spend the extra cash on new tires right now...

 

Irvariably high performance luxury touring tires are quite poor in the snow. Tires designed for quiet running have closed treads. Closed treads are easily cloggged with snow and cause the tire to be slippery.

 

Let me preface my remarks by saying that I am a big believer in dedicated snow tires for winter - they make a huge difference over any all season tire. My approach is to have performance all season tires on the OEM 18's and snow tires on the OEM 17's. Having both sets mounted and ready allows me to change the tires myself only when the weather makes it necessary. If we are having an unusually mild winter, I may not put my winter tires on until December or even January. If we are having a typical western Canadian winter, then the snow tires go on in late October. Obviously the opposite criteria applies to removing the snow tires in the spring. The performance all season tires are sufficient to allow me to keep them on if there is an occasional dusting of snow in the fall or in the spring. The Dunlop Wintersport M3's are reported to be quiet enough and handle well enough on dry roads that it is not a big deal if I leave them on if we have a warm spell but I know that more snow is coming.
If you live in an area that likely will have snow on the ground for more than a couple of months, then I highly recommend this approach. The down side is the fact that you need the room to store the extra set of tires, you need to take the time to change them (not a huge commitment as I can change my car and my wife's car over in about 40 minutes) and there is the obvious monetary commitment for the second set of tires and wheels (and don't forget to buy yourself a good torque wrench if you are going to change the tires yourself). You can haul your winter tires to the local tire shop and have them swap them for you, but watch them like a hawk. I had a bad experience with some young rookie deciding to crank up the impact wrench and warping a rotor and even breaking one of the lug nuts.
The upside of making the switch is that your all season tires will last longer, you will have a natural method of very regularly inspecting and rotating your tires and you will absolutely have the most fun you have ever had driving in the snow.
Good luck with your choice.

 

The low center of gravity is an advantage for handling, but the SUV, with its greater ground clearance, has the advantage if the snow is pretty deep.

 

Thanks Michael. This is just the kind of info I was looking for before going up to the mountains this weekend. I have 18" wheels with Pirelli PZero Nero M&S tires and I've never driven these tires in the snow. I wonder if all the electronic gizmos that are supposed to help traction and control are going to work as advertised. Also, have you had the need for snow chains in those 6-8" of snow?

 

I live in northern Minnesota, and God gives us no breaks (or brakes) here. I have normally put Blizzaks on my cars, but several years ago I discovered Nokian tires, and I have never looked back. They don't have to be changed for summer, and they stick like the devil. I have never had a bit of trouble with ice or snow with them. They might give you a little hum in the summer, but it has never bothered me.

One caveat. I have always used NRWs. The new, supposedly improved WR has not yet seen a winter of driving. But those Finns don't mess around. I'm willing to bet I'll be happy with them after a year in the snow and ice.

Good luck.

 

Hope you dont mind me replying to this...

The gizmos and stuff work. This past winter I had to drive in some nasty stuff and the AWD system worked great and when the POS OEM tires started to slip up I was able to bring her back under control. I am sure you will be fine.

 

Just recognize that there is a lot of difference between M&S tires. The better the tire performs on dry pavement the poorer it will be in the snow. The 18"ers are probably only good to a few millimeters of snow. Slush will be a little better (more like mud) but barely. Go slow. The traction control will help prevent spin outs but no amount of gadgets can help you stop if the tires have no grip.

 

The Nokian WR's were on my short list with the Dunlop Wintersport M3's. I ended up with the Dunlops because only one dealer carries the Nokians here and their customer service reflected that monopoly. I've heard nothing but good things about both tires. I'm almost looking forward to winter to try out my RL's wonderful SH-AWD with the M3's.