How does the Manual transmission TL handle in the snow? I travel up to Vermont and Maine frequently to ski and I was wondering if snow tires are a must.

Thanks,
Derek

 

I think u need snow tires, all-season tires slide too much.

 

During this past winter, i had to switch out my HPT to All-seasons. I noticed the VSA kicked in a lot to control wheel spin. I'm not sure about snow tires. Something to think about.

 

Reasonable but the ground clearance is pretty low. If the roads are plowed with hard packed snow it's fairly acceptable on the EL42's.

 

How about those Michelin MXM4s on Navi cars?

 

Mine did OK on the EL42s this past winter, but we didn't have any real mega-storms. I had to commute during afternoon snowfalls on unplowed roads several times and didn't have any problems getting up hills. Based on my experience taking ski trips in Quebec in my previous car (an Accord with all-season Goodyears), I should think you would be fine with all-season tyres if the people in Vermont and Maine are as good about regularly plowing the roads as the people in Quebec are.

 

i go snowboarding often and took the TL all last season and it did fine in the snow. i had the stock el42's on the car. if you change the tires to either better all season or snow tires it will ride fine even with a good amount of snow on the ground.

 

It snowed here daily. The car does well in the snow. The tires, as usual , do not. I replaced them with the pirelli Pzero Nero M+S. It was a craaaaaaaaaaazy difference.

 

Snow tires are mandatory.

 

Michelin Pilot Sport A/S is extremely better then the EL42 in snow or rain for grip

 

Mine did OK on the EL42s this past winter.

 

Get snow tires, makes a difference on ANY car.

 

It may be "understood" but just in case...

If you get snow tires, get FOUR snow tires. Under no circumstances should you just get two for the front. Recipe for big time instability.

Also, since you have the 3G 6MT you you will either need to do changeovers on the OEM rims or get a second set of ALLOY rims for the snow tires. Apparently the Brembos rule out any possibility of steel wheels for snow in the winter. Apparently there are some 16" steel/snow packages that fit the AT but no such luck with the MT.

I'm gonna get 4 Blizzaks this winter (pricey but my experience with them has been very good, southern New England ice storms) but undecided about what I'll do about rims.

P.S. off topic ...but if anyone knows of steel rims that would go in the MT for winter use I'm all ears. (Struck out in that section of the BBS with another post)

 

Anyone have experience with the Yokohama's? I'll probably throw the factory 17's on during the winter with the Michelin's, but I'm tempted to see how bad the Yoko's are on the A-Spec rims.

 

I certainly agreed with Adobeman. Your MT TL comes with Bridgestone RE030. It is a summer performance tire (a version of the RE050). The tire is pretty much useless once the temperature is below 32 °F. The compound is hardened and you will have a hard time to stop. In May 05, I slided though a red light with only 0.5 in of snow on the ground (freak snow storm in Canada in the middle of May). Luckily I did not hit anything.

When I had my Blizzard WS-50 on, I could go through 4-6 in of deep snow without any problem. I can stop pretty good even in some icy condtition (just have to slow down and allow more stopping distance). Blizzard LM-22 is not very useful in my weather condition here.

And yes, just like Adobeman said, when you have MT TL, you have to buy alloy wheel for the snow tire. I have tried two different steel rims and none of them will fit the Brembo front brakes. I ended up buy another set of OEM alloy wheel for my snow tires.

Has anyone tried the Michelin X Ice?

 

Get the Blizzak LM-25 they are V rated and come in the exact size that is on the car now.
235/45VR17 167.00 each from tire rack. I would get a set of rims as well. Sure you might spend a grand or so... But when I had them on my car I was amazed at the performance.
I live out side of boston and I was able to get around without any problem...

In the past I always had to worry about getting home before the snow got too bad...

I will also say this... that in many cases you are better off finding a 16 inch set of snow tires. They seem to perform better in the snow since the side walls are taller than the lower side wall vr45s.

 

The RE030 is an option. The 6MT doesn't come with that tyre unless you specifically purchase it.

 

i have an AT and I live in Chicago. It will be my first time driving through the snow. If I keep my stocks on over winter, am setting myself up for disaster?

 

More like "so"....
For Blizzaks and alloys from TireRack ? I wish, I was at $1400 for WS-50's and their cheapest (ugly) alloy when I looked to see what it would cost.

I'm thinking I'll take the "changeover on the original wheels" point of view and find a tire guy that is nice to my rims. Changeovers are usually way more expensive in the long run compared to just buying steel wheels but if we have to get alloys then it is not going to be nearly as cost effective. Oh hell, it's just money !

 

I don't know i get by with my bmw RWD with summer tires (contiential contisports). It sucks but I go slow and get by. I can't believe the front heavy TL is worse even with summer tires. Just take it easy and be careful.

 

It might depend if you have the '04 or the '05 since the OEM tires are different. I didn't have any real problems last winter with the '05 AT. I thought it actually handled it better than the '02 Maxima I previously had.

 

I did not have any problems last winter with the EL-42's.

I think a big part of driving on snow/ice is experience. Yes some cars are better than others but the driver makes a big difference. Front wheel drive is better and narrow tires better yet. Ultimate studded winter tires on all wheels.

I now have Pilot Sport A/S on the car now it will be interesting if I see a difference this winter.

Talking about bad cars in snow take my Mustang GT with big tires out in the snow, hell I can't move it in the driveway.

 

6MT is okay on plowed streets, but in 3-4 inches of unplowed snow you will be working hard. If I was driving around back roads with snow on them I would probably run snow tires on just about anything except a 4WD truck.

 

As a big believer in snow tires for winter driving in the mid-Atlantic where we get every conceivable kind of weather, I ordered a package deal from The Tire Rack of 16'' Mille Miglia Spyders and Michelin Pilot Alpins. They look and work great.
Received lots of compliments on how good they look on the TL.