Can i drive this car up to the mountain? I have bought cable chains? Do you recommend a different tire?

 

If you have the Potenza 030s you are out of luck. The Turanzas should go in snow if not too much and not too steep....Good luck. Check tirerack.com for recommended snow tires if that is an issue for you.

 

I have used Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 tires before. They have very good grip in ice and snow and are quieter than my all-seasons. Tire rack has them for the '04 TL for about $150 each. I am looking at getting them for my new TL.

For your reference, where we live, we get about 70 inches of snow a year. It is also fairly hilly.

 

What if you live in a "normal" area where you get winter like normal... maybe a 2 foot snow once or twice ayear.. possibly one big blizzard..l but other than that not alot.

Is it ok to use the stock tiores that came with the car?

Mike

 

We had a snowstorm a few days before I took delivery -- the salesman said that he was driving around with the stock tires quite nicely and the stability control kept things under control. If we didn't get quite this much snow, I would probably be tempted to stay with the stock tires (then again, with the vibration issues on the Turanzas, a switch to snows may actually be a good thing )

 

I ordered the 18" wheels with ml new TL and they come with Yokohama tires. Anyone know how those perform in the occasional 2-3" of snow?

 

I have the blizzaks on mine here in alberta. So far snow ice and wet weather driving has been excellent. And there quiet too.We had a 6 inch snowfall 2 weeks ago and it was like having all wheel drive.
6mt
psi
36 front 34 rear

 

I'm getting Dunlop DS2's installed today. Had to drive this morning in the snow with the RE090's and it wasn't pleasant. Gave the ABS and VSA quite a workout.

 

I have Dunlop Winter Sport M2's - gripped real nice this morning. Some **** in an SUV tried an over take from the right lane at a red light - eat my snow dust, those suckers held tight to the road. Mr. 4Runner was quite surprised I blew right past. :smokin:

 

They won't.

 

I called the tirerack and 17" wheels for snows are out of stock until mid January. I may venture out in snow with the 030s but not if I can help it. There is nothing quite so unnerving than having the ABS chatter away with absolutely no retardation of speed and sawing the wheel back and forth with absolutely no change in direction! And trying to get going on level ground and barely being able to do it. The 030s may not be that bad but two prior experiences with Potenzas (040s and RE71 I think) don't bode well for safe and sane winter driving with the 030s.

 

Mike, if you live in Baltimore (or Louisville) I think you mean 2 inches and not 2 feet. Yes, the stock all-season radials will be fine unless you live on a very large hill.

 

The Blizzaks work surprisingly well on icy Colorado roads, and not well in snow that is 12 inches or more deep. For good going in deep snow it takes either mud and snow tires or chains. The Blizzaks do not corner well on dry pavement, something we expect from our TL's.
On a car I owned previously I put Blizzaks only on the driving wheels, and cornering was dangerous so I had to add Blizzaks to the other wheels. That made the cornering bad, but al least predictable.

 

We had two feet last winter....

But that was once in 3 winters. who knows.

I am going to keep the stock ones on.

Also, can someoen answer this.

My old car had traction control and ABS not this VSA.....

In the snow when I was stuck ina parking lot, I would deactivate the Traction control so the wheels would spin to get out of the spot.

My dealer says that since this has VSA that I should NOT disengage if I am stuck in aparking spot with the wheels spinning.

Is this correct??

Mike

 

With 2 feet of snow, if uncleared, I wouldn't bother venturing outside with my TL, snow tires or not .

The dealer seems to be incorrect. VSA plays a role in correcting understeer and oversteer in turns by adjusting engine power and braking. It shouldn't have much (or any) role to play when you are coming out straight in a low traction situation; the traction control would be a factor, though. In my experience, letting the wheels spin to get out of snow is not the best option. I typically try clearing as best I can around the tires and "rocking the car" back and forth to gather a little bit more momentum, if necessary.