hypertech

After the storm this weekend, mos tof teh roads were salted and cleared. I was heading to a meeting and the spot right in front of the sign had ice, so I slowed down and applie dthe brakes.

Tht antilocks kicked in right away. It seems as though I had NO traction on the ice. I had a set of Potenza's on the Camaro we sold for this car, and it would haev handled that little bit of ice just fine.

Is it the case that this car slides extra easy or the antilocks kcik in earlier? I've never had to buy winter tires, but I'm contimplating it on this car. Do tehy just get you extra moving traction, or do you get a little more stopping control too?

hypertech

Anyone?

I know its kinda a question, but a little help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!!

eazyc10

I was taught to never apply brakes when going over ice. To me it seems like no tire on ice will stop. ABS would kick in because the tires lost grip when applying the brakes.

I don't think winter tires would've helped you in that situation. Just my

bluenoser

I've had lots of winter driving experience in a large variety of cars and have determined they all react differently to different types, size and compound of tires.
My general observations are that narrower works better than wide lots of lateral biting edges and wide circumferencial grooves tend to handle the wide range of winter conditions.
My 96 Accord had 185- 65- 15 Michelin AS and they were great in all winter conditions, my 98 Accord had 205-65-15 Michelin As and were even better.
My 99TL had 205-60-16 Michelin AS (same type as the 98) and were not nearly as good and I put on snows the first winter - they were great.
My 04 TL was scary with the EL42s, but great when I installed the snows from my 99 (used 16" RL rims).
I would not drive the 04 TL in winter conditions without winter tires (we have winter conditions for over 4 months).

hypertech

You know it just caught me off guard. I went to Michigan Tech for a year, so driving in snow is no strange thing to me. I also have a Silverado for when it gets really bad. I do have to admit I wasn't impressed with the EL42's handling, but I wasn't necesarily irritated with them enough to go spend the bucks on snow tires considering I have a perfectly good truck in the driveway.

It is, however, my wifes car, and I want it to be safe for her. I think I'll wait for the next snow storm and take it out to an empty lot and mess with it a little to decide if I need them.

Perhasp the snow tires can live on these rims (already scratched). It would give me an excuse to buy new rims hmmmm.

Thanks for the help, I'm going ot consider them a little harder.

bluenoser

hypertech,

I think you've answered your own question. I don't know the relationship you have with your wife, but I know where your car fits and winter tires is a small price to pay to keep it protected plus any excuse for an upgraded tire/ rim package is good by me. I'd probably check out a 225-50-17 winter tire for the 17" rims.

bluebyu

Just today I was driiving in freezing rain and popped over a hill on the highway and there was an accident. While going downhill I had NO traction at all and the antilocks kicked in immediately. I would have thought this was just black ice except for the fact that everone else around me had no problems stopping. I have new EL42's that were replaced FOC by the dealer with about 800mi on them. I'm getting winter tires soon but most Likely I just won't take it in the snow.

birdzboy

I have now been driving on my Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 tires in the snow and they have been exellent on snow and grab well on ice. Just have to be easy pulling away from a stand still.


Birdzboy