Snowmageddon is Here Again. Post Your Snow Pics

[incavulator]

You have not experienced Winter driving until you have driven a RWD car in the snow.

89 Mustang 5.0L with the Goodyear Gatorbacks. As my dad would say, "That thing wouldn't pull itself off a flat rock!" It was downright dangerous by today's standards.

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[sajohnson]

Thats why all weather especially if you want all terrain are the way to go. I use them all year round and if they wear out a year early I still saved the hassle and expense of changing tires out twice a year. My Toyos make a different sound than the Continental atr but are not noisier. Narrow tires are fine if you are in the conditions that require sinking down to a firmer surface but going to 245 from 225 isnt much of a leap. JMO

All weather tires can be a good choice for many people. I'll probably go with them as replacements for our OE tires when the time comes.

That said, like all tires they are a compromise. They have the 3MPSF symbol and do well on snow & ice, but they are not a replacement for winter (or summer) tires.

Back when I was driving 20,000+ miles every year and had to get to work no matter what, I had winter tires that I'd swap onto my WRX if snow was forecast. Spring through fall I ran summer tires. I liked having the best performing tires for the conditions.

That's not practical (or necessary) for many people, but I had/have the ability to swap wheels quickly (lift, impact wrench, etc.). Actually, I often just used a floor jack and raised up one side at a time. For people who have to take their vehicle to a shop though, that can be time consuming and expensive -- a good reason to consider all weather tires.

 

[sajohnson]

I have Michelin X-Ice tires and I have no complaints.

That's what I have for my WRX as well. They certainly ride (rode) nice and handle snow & ice well, but (as expected) they are pretty sloppy in the handling dept. For that reason, if our temps were predicted to be mild I'd run the summer tires.

I think part of the issue is that none of us are in a position to directly compare tires, back to back. In most cases, the additional performance of all-season (or summer) tires is not needed -- the longer wet and dry braking distances (for example) of winter tires will not be noticed.

I could definitely tell the difference in handling between the X-Ice and Pilot Sport, but like most people I was not timing the WRX through a slalom or doing braking distance tests with both tires. It's only under emergency or extreme conditions that the additional performance is appreciated -- but then it can make the difference between getting into an accident and avoiding one.

If a person lives where conditions are predictable (San Diego or Saguenay, Quebec) that makes the choice of tires easy. In many areas it's a tough call. Here in Central/Western Maryland the temps typically range above and below freezing, but it can get much colder (down to 0*F tonight). We usually get more rain than snow, but any snow we get melts and then freezes. The roads are kept clear for the most part, but can get drifted over depending on conditions.

In short, which tires to run can be a tough decision.

 

[incavulator]

A (not so) short story hopefully someone will enjoy, It's related to this winter topic.

I was fortunate to work for Ford as a development engineer and even more fortunate to work on the S197 Mustang (2005-2008).

In 2006, I picked up my brand new test vehicle directly from the assembly plant. It was a dark blue GT 4.6L 3V with an automatic, black interior, and chrome wheels. Beautiful car. Much nicer than the typical "mules" we were given with camouflage. It would serve as my test vehicle that I would drive back and forth to the office almost every day, take on development trips, and perform the "road" work that was part of my job..

It was about this same time of year. My wife and I had just had our first child. The weather had been cold and the local roads were icy. The temperatures climbed overnight and the snow turned to rain. Now the roads were wet ice. Living on a private rural street meant no salt was used.

I get up and set out for work. I am immediately shocked at how slippery the roads are. About a half mile from home, the street begins a mild uphill grade. As i attempt to climb this grade, the rear wheels begin spinning and the car ceases all forward motion.

I try backing up with the hope of taking another run at it to gain some forward momentum. I try going forward. No luck. Traction control on. Traction control off. Doesn't matter. Every attempt to move the car forward or backward now results in it sliding further off the crown to the left. First the fear wheels and then the front wheels.

After only a few attempts, I find myself in the oncoming lane and partially in my neighbors yard. I quickly realize the car is not going anywhere by its own power and I'm not comfortable leaving this brand new car sitting in this precarious situation. I can't call my wife. She can't leave the baby alone to help me, and she won't want to wake up the baby.

So, I turn the hazards on, lock the doors and begin walking. I get home, grab my tow strap and my 4WD Explorer and I set out to rescue the Mustang.

I get to the car and begin to evaluate my options. I can pull it but who is going to steer it? If I leave it in neutral, how do I ensure it will stop when I need it to?

I finally decide on a method. I'm going to leave the car in park and try dragging it. I back the Explorer up to the back of the Mustang and hook the tow strap between trailer hitches. I get in the Explorer, take the tension out of the strap, and begin pulling. It's working!! I go very slowly while the Mustang follows along behind me, rear wheels dragging and loosely following the edge of the road. I had only one right turn to make and that went relatively smooth. It was reminiscent of towing a water skier behind a boat.... just in very slow motion.

Ultimately, I get the car in front of my driveway, disconnect the tow strap, and drive the Mustang back up the driveway without issue. The last thing I did was to call my boss and tell him I won't be coming in today. I don't think I can make it out of my neighborhood, and don't ask me how I know!!!!

 

[sajohnson]

A (not so) short story hopefully someone will enjoy, It's related to this winter topic.

I was fortunate to work for Ford as a development engineer and even more fortunate to work on the S197 Mustang (2005-2008).

In 2006, I picked up my brand new test vehicle directly from the assembly plant. It was a dark blue GT 4.6L 3V with an automatic, black interior, and chrome wheels. Beautiful car. Much nicer than the typical "mules" we were given with camouflage. It would serve as my test vehicle that I would drive back and forth to the office almost every day, take on development trips, and perform the "road" work that was part of my job..

It was about this same time of year. My wife and I had just had our first child. The weather had been cold and the local roads were icy. The temperatures climbed overnight and the snow turned to rain. Now the roads were wet ice. Living on a private rural street meant no salt was used.

I get up and set out for work. I am immediately shocked at how slippery the roads are. About a half mile from home, the street begins a mild uphill grade. As i attempt to climb this grade, the rear wheels begin spinning and the car ceases all forward motion.

I try backing up with the hope of taking another run at it to gain some forward momentum. I try going forward. No luck. Traction control on. Traction control off. Doesn't matter. Every attempt to move the car forward or backward now results in it sliding further off the crown to the left. First the fear wheels and then the front wheels.

After only a few attempts, I find myself in the oncoming lane and partially in my neighbors yard. I quickly realize the car is not going anywhere by its own power and I'm not comfortable leaving this brand new car sitting in this precarious situation. I can't call my wife. She can't leave the baby alone to help me, and she won't want to wake up the baby.

So, I turn the hazards on, lock the doors and begin walking. I get home, grab my tow strap and my 4WD Explorer and I set out to rescue the Mustang.

I get to the car and begin to evaluate my options. I can pull it but who is going to steer it? If I leave it in neutral, how do I ensure it will stop when I need it to?

I finally decide on a method. I'm going to leave the car in park and try dragging it. I back the Explorer up to the back of the Mustang and hook the tow strap between trailer hitches. I get in the Explorer, take the tension out of the strap, and begin pulling. It's working!! I go very slowly while the Mustang follows along behind me, rear wheels dragging and loosely following the edge of the road. I had only one right turn to make and that went relatively smooth. It was reminiscent of towing a water skier behind a boat.... just in very slow motion.

Ultimately, I get the car in front of my driveway, disconnect the tow strap, and drive the Mustang back up the driveway without issue. The last thing I did was to call my boss and tell him I won't be coming in today. I don't think I can make it out of my neighborhood, and don't ask me how I know!!!!

Excellent story!

Ingenious solution for the recovery.

 

[Garth]

Most AT tires are snowpeak rated, most of the good ones that is. If a person doesnt want AT tires then having snows and summers is the way to go. Of course snow tires are the best for driving in winter. My wife had snows for her last car I changed them myself twice a year we had a wall rack in the garage to store them. Now we both have all weathers, no complaints.

 

[Garth]

I got stuck once with my focus and it had snows but the traction control wouldnt let me climb a street with an incline and I couldnt get it to turn off. I have never had a situation where traction control was a benefit unless anti lock brakes qualify.

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