Calgary Car Talk - Page 12

Calgarian · #**221** Posted **Oct 25, 2012, 6:12 PM**

I think most drivers in this city don't know how to drive in perfect conditions, let alone snow lol.

I like having 2 sets of tires, the summers grip and handle dry or wet asphalt better than basic all seasons, and my winters do the same on snowy or icy roads. Driving for me is a fun experience, so I try to get the most out of the tires I buy, despite the fact that I could make do with a set of $150 all seasons.

floobie · #**222** Posted **Oct 25, 2012, 6:46 PM**

Sure, it's entirely possible to drive safely on crappy roads with all-seasons. I've done it for years. I live on a hill, and the half the people here can barely get out of their driveways in the winter. I'm very adept at making it up that hill with effectively zero traction. But, that doesn't mean the traction and decreased stopping distances winter tires afford aren't extremely useful. I like not having to slip the clutch like crazy or start in second gear just to accelerate from a stop on a hill. I also like not having to brake 10km in advance, or drive 20km/h everywhere because the roads are a little slippery (hyperbole, but you get the point).

I agree, winter tires shouldn't be treated as a safety net or a replacement for skill (just like AWD, traction control, fancy centre differentials, etc...). But, they're very nice to have... especially if you enjoy driving.

freeweed · #**223** Posted **Oct 25, 2012, 7:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Driving for me is a fun experience, so I try to get the most out of the tires I buy, despite the fact that I could make do with a set of $150 all seasons.

Yup. And for those of us that really push our vehicles, the right equipment is essential. We're already spending stupid amounts of money on all sorts of other weird stuff (more power, tighter control, etc). I'd never try the stuff I do with summer tires. Well, I don't try it in traffic either, mind you, but that's just me not being an over-confident jerk.

I just shudder when I hear Joe Sixpack getting excited because he can now cut his following distance by 25% because of his winter tires. Dude! You should be 2-3x further back in any conditions where you even *think* winter tires are useful, unless you're crawling along at 30km/h in traffic - in which case winter tires don't really do squat anyway. The extra 6 inches isn't gonna matter unless you're seriously tailgating.

It's no different than buying an SUV or other 4WD type vehicle for winter. In the right hands, they're MUCH better in really shitty conditions. But driven with the assumption that "hey, I have a winter vehicle, I'm fine" - they end up all over the road. I've seen more Blizzaks in the ditch while driving to the ski hill than I can count.

kw5150 · #**224** Posted **Oct 25, 2012, 9:00 PM**

Not even a question.

Winter tires help you get un-stuck. Manual or not. Front wheel drive cars are amazing with winter tires. You can literally drive right into packed snow.....stop completely....and then keep going. Second gear is a good place to start in a manual for extra grip.

BMWs (without all wheel) are completely useless without winter tires.

Now that I have a rear wheel drive BMW, I am looking for a good winter tire. Any suggestions??

The best tires i have ever had have been: Kumho, Blizzak

Worst: Michelen x-ice (Seem like an all season with siping...)

freeweed · #**225** Posted **Oct 25, 2012, 9:14 PM**

RWD cars in snow are just silly without winter tires. As a kid I always figured front-drive was invented specifically for Canadians.

But if you're gonna talk "good in snow", buy an SUV. Much more practical in deep snow regardless of tires. And easier to swap vehicles twice a year than worry about booking appointments.

Jimby · #**226** Posted **Oct 25, 2012, 9:50 PM**

SUVs are the worst vehicles on the road and I would never own one.

Ramsayfarian · #**227** Posted **Oct 25, 2012, 9:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by suburbia

Perhaps I'm wrong but it was simply based on my experience of generally not getting stuck with all-season tires since I started driving 22 years ago in 1990, and having never gotten stuck the last four years ago since when I've had SUVs (I've had two).

I do want to highlight that I'm not saying it doesn't make a difference, but it is a small difference relative to the difference good driving habits make.

Not sure why you've inserted this urban/suburban banter. In medical circles it could be interpreted as small man's syndrome. Not sure if that's the case, or you just had a really bad day. Relax Ramsay. No one is "after you" - we were just talking winter, getting stuck and tires. That's it.

Small man? It was an attempt at humour. In medical circles you would be diagnosed as a humourless dick.

kw5150 · #**228** Posted **Oct 25, 2012, 11:02 PM**

I just dont need an SUV but I know they can be great in deep snow. I have snowboarded for 20 years and always just had a front wheel drive car. I have never been so stuck that I needed a tow truck either. There was always a way to "rock the car" or just put it in second and drive out. At the worst, a small push would usually help. The lighter front wheel drive cars (echos) probably arent as good.....but a honda civic has plenty enough weight to handle a big snow dump.

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeweed

RWD cars in snow are just silly without winter tires. As a kid I always figured front-drive was invented specifically for Canadians.

But if you're gonna talk "good in snow", buy an SUV. Much more practical in deep snow regardless of tires. And easier to swap vehicles twice a year than worry about booking appointments.

lineman · #**229** Posted **Oct 26, 2012, 4:26 AM**

I think we can safely say the right combination of tires and good winter driving habits are key. Some drivers IMO are getting overconfident based on all the nanny systems being put in vehicles, some others are just plain bad drivers. I drive a pretty rudimentary 4x4 truck (roll down windows an all!) and don't seem to have many problems keeping it in 2wd 95% of the time in winter (okay, I have severe service rated all terrain tires and 200lbs of sandbags in the bed).

I guess all I'm saying is slow and steady wins when it comes to winter. Safe journeys to all this winter!

freeweed · #**230** Posted **Oct 26, 2012, 2:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kw5150

I just dont need an SUV but I know they can be great in deep snow. I have snowboarded for 20 years and always just had a front wheel drive car. I have never been so stuck that I needed a tow truck either. There was always a way to "rock the car" or just put it in second and drive out. At the worst, a small push would usually help. The lighter front wheel drive cars (echos) probably arent as good.....but a honda civic has plenty enough weight to handle a big snow dump.

Yeah, I was being a bit "A Modest Proposal" with my SUV comment.

What you say is entirely true of the whole winter tire debate as well, yet we have people every year advocating for mandatory use by ALL drivers. I'm just pointing out that using the logic most people use for mandating winter tires, we should all drive SUVs as well.

Innersoul1 · #**231** Posted **Oct 27, 2012, 9:22 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kw5150

Not even a question.

Winter tires help you get un-stuck. Manual or not. Front wheel drive cars are amazing with winter tires. You can literally drive right into packed snow.....stop completely....and then keep going. Second gear is a good place to start in a manual for extra grip.

BMWs (without all wheel) are completely useless without winter tires.

Now that I have a rear wheel drive BMW, I am looking for a good winter tire. Any suggestions??

The best tires i have ever had have been: Kumho, Blizzak

Worst: Michelen x-ice (Seem like an all season with siping...)

My father in law was so bent on getting the 5 series when the new design came out that he wasn't willing to wait for the model wit X Drive to come out. I advised him that it was a poor decision but he seemed contented that the snow tires would make a huge difference. Totally not the case and he regrets the decision. Most really snowy days he drives his Volvo.

Blizzaks SUCK!!! After driving on them this week must say that they are a beginner winter tires. If you have never had winters before you would be impressed but overall they just do t compete with my Yokis. They came brand new on my Acura so I didn't have to pay for them. But if I was spending my own mmoney I definitely wouldn't get Blizzaks.

Me&You · #**232** Posted **Oct 27, 2012, 11:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

My father in law was so bent on getting the 5 series when the new design came out that he wasn't willing to wait for the model wit X Drive to come out. I advised him that it was a poor decision but he seemed contented that the snow tires would make a huge difference. Totally not the case and he regrets the decision. Most really snowy days he drives his Volvo.

Blizzaks SUCK!!! After driving on them this week must say that they are a beginner winter tires. If you have never had winters before you would be impressed but overall they just do t compete with my Yokis. They came brand new on my Acura so I didn't have to pay for them. But if I was spending my own mmoney I definitely wouldn't get Blizzaks.

While he maybe should have waited for the X-Drive 5 because they have far better resale, winter driving shouldn't be a lead issue. I've winter driven several M cars (high HP) and have a current F10... I didn't miss a beat this week with my winters on.

Innersoul1 · #**233** Posted **Oct 28, 2012, 8:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Me&You

While he maybe should have waited for the X-Drive 5 because they have far better resale, winter driving shouldn't be a lead issue. I've winter driven several M cars (high HP) and have a current F10... I didn't miss a beat this week with my winters on.

i would agree, I thing that RWD vehicles equipped with winter tires are fine. It's just a different beast. He transistioned from a FWD vehicle so it certainly was a change.

Innersoul1 · #**234** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 6:31 PM**

Just put a set of Nokian Hakkapelitta Rs on my Altima. REALLY nice tires. I like the ride comfort already, and I look forward to seeing what they can do in some snow.

kw5150 · #**235** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 6:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

My father in law was so bent on getting the 5 series when the new design came out that he wasn't willing to wait for the model wit X Drive to come out. I advised him that it was a poor decision but he seemed contented that the snow tires would make a huge difference. Totally not the case and he regrets the decision. Most really snowy days he drives his Volvo.

Blizzaks SUCK!!! After driving on them this week must say that they are a beginner winter tires. If you have never had winters before you would be impressed but overall they just do t compete with my Yokis. They came brand new on my Acura so I didn't have to pay for them. But if I was spending my own mmoney I definitely wouldn't get Blizzaks.

There are different types of blizzaks, you clearly had the crappy ones. Blizzaks are insanely good. Its all about the pressing the tread to see how soft the tire is in -20. If the tire is stiff, dont even think about it.

freeweed · #**236** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 8:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innersoul1

Just put a set of Nokian Hakkapelitta Rs on my Altima. REALLY nice tires. I like the ride comfort already, and I look forward to seeing what they can do in some snow.

Are those their all-weather or full-blown winters?

We've been using their all-weather for years (can't remember the exact models), and they're pretty handy in the snow conditions Calgary gets. It often feels like bare pavement underneath - although with the CSX having such ridiculous power, it still can kick in the traction control a bit too often when accelerating. They're especially nice on the road up to Sunshine - hilly, windy, ice/slush. Plus you don't have the hassle of swapping them twice a year.

Calgarian · #**237** Posted **Oct 31, 2012, 9:06 PM**

I love winter tires, makes me excited when it snows. My favourite thing to do in the winter is to pull the e-brake or do a flick turn around corners.

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeweed

Plus you don't have the hassle of swapping them twice a year.

I always time it so that my car needs to go in to get the oil changed when I switch tires, still a hassle but I need to get the oil changed 2x a year anyway.

kw5150 · #**238** Posted **Nov 1, 2012, 4:17 PM**

I will let you know how the michelin x-ice perform on a BMW. They are being installed today.

Innersoul1 · #**239** Posted **Nov 1, 2012, 6:11 PM**

@kw after seeing your comment I decided to do some research. Turns out that if you are running Blizzaks on a car you are likely goin to be quite happy with their performance, they are one of the industry leaders and certainly account for a high volume of winter tires purchased. That being said if you drive and SUV, like I do, you will likely be equipped with the Blizzak LM (lamella) 4x4. This tire was designed with European high-speed driving in mind. This, the tires have thousands of tiny sipes for high speed driving and handling while sacrificing snow and ice traction. The big thing with the design of these tires was to maintain their speed rating. This likely accounts for some of my disappointment in their traction on snow and ice that I have encountered.

@freeweed yes, they are winter tires versus the all seasons. I took them out for a spin last night and was really impressed with the traction and handling they provided.

LFRENCH · #**240** Posted **Nov 1, 2012, 8:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by kw5150

I will let you know how the michelin x-ice perform on a BMW. They are being installed today.

did you pick up Xi-2's or Xi-3's? So far the only difference I can tell is the alternating tread blocking between the center channel and the diagonal cut away on the central blocking.