[Shotimes] snow tires vs all season

[Rick Glass]

I tend to agree more with Ron on this issue......If you can drive and have 
any sense of control you can drive on good all season tires in most any 
condition.  We don't get alot of snow in TN, but what we do get usually 
turns to ice and has been known to stay around for a few days each snowfall. 
I have never had snow tires on any car I have ever driven in snow, ice, 
slush...whatever it happens to be.

I always ran 225/50/16's on my '94...yeah i know those are too wide for the 
rim, well they worked, no matter the conditions....wet, dry, or ice....they 
did their job better than the stock sized tires on any of my SHO's ever 
have.  I took that car up and down every hill I ever needed to travel in any 
weather condition.  I can't see a "snow tire" being much if any better, and 
certainly not worth the extra expense and work for only a few days at a time 
through the season.  Now if it snows every other day for 3-4 months maybe.

We had a 4 day run of snow and ice a few years ago when I still drove a taxi 
('94 Chevy Caprice), I put 1100 miles on my cab in 3 days on snow and ice 
and never once thought I needed a snow tire....

Rick Glass
   Nashville, TN
   SESHOC
'99 Silver 59k (still adding up)
   Flowmaster 40's
   no "pre-muff"/resonator
   Kirk'd #432 (8-31-04)


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Donald Mallinson" <dmall@mwonline.net>
To: "Ian Fisher" <dataflash@yahoo.com>
Cc: <shotimes@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2004 9:41 AM
Subject: Re: [Shotimes] snow tires vs all season


> Ian,
>
> I don't agree with Ron on this issue (surprise!) :)
>
> A good set of winter tires will outperform the best all season tires by a 
> wide margin.  A better indicator of IF you need them is how important it 
> is that you be out on the few really bad days you will get?  If it is 
> important, then get winter tires.
>
> I bought a set of Winter tires (Yokohama Guardex) for my '89 SHO at a time 
> when I had to be at work every day (owner, sole employee) and I loved them 
> once I got used to the odd handling (like having four tires low on air, 
> till I pumped them up to about 40 psi and just got used to it).
>
> These tires are STILL going almost 8 years later.  I drove them for three 
> winters and one entire summer.  My son has now used them for four more 
> winters and they STILL have enough tread to outperform new all-season 
> tires.
>
> Do NOT believe the myth that winter tires wear super fast, they do not. 
> Some high-performance versions may, but my Yoko's felt like a gum eraser 
> from an art store (super soft) but have worn like iron.
>
> I could take my SHO out and play with the snow plows and that was a great 
> feeling.
>
> YOu want a more narrow tire for winter than summer.  I think the Guardex 
> by Yokohama in 215-65-16 size should run you under $80 per tire, maybe 
> less than that.  They are quiet and have good dry traction, you just need 
> to get used to the very soft sidewalls giving an odd feeling when you turn 
> the wheel, but that is part of why they behave so well on snow/ice.
>
> Don Mallinson
>
> Ian Fisher wrote:
>> I just picked up a set of slicers to use for snow
>> duty. Was checking some prices on a tirerack ad that I
>> have. Cheapest snow tires I found (IIRC) were the
>> Dunlop Graspic's at $84ish. I think they were 215 or
>> 225/55/16.
>>
>> In NJ we don't get a lot of snow over a long period of
>> time. We may get 1-2 weeks of heavy snow, so when it's
>> here, it can be here in full effect. I am debating
>> getting all seasons with good M+S ratings or cheap
>> snow tires. Either way, the key words are cheap, wear
>> and grip (in snow and dry).
>>
>> As soon as the roads clear up (late Jan-feb?), the
>> 17's with hipo rubber will go back on and the 16's
>> will sit in the shed for next winter.
>>
>> opinions? reccomendations? thanks
>> Ian
> _______________________________________________
> Shotimes mailing list
> Shotimes@autox.team.net
> http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shotimes