ashleyfriis

Has anybody ever driven the rx in the winter? I wouldlike to drive mine in the winter this year and was wondering how it would be and if there actually is winter tires for it!

GeTcRuNk

get some Bridgestone Blizzaks and you'll be fine for anything 2'' or less...as long as its not too much driving...

I just choose not to drive in the snow unless its for f'ing around...its just too much of a headache and too risky in my opinion...I'm in Jersey and we get only a few storms a year...

you have nothing to worry about until theres more than 2''

turborx8

iTrader: (1)

I drove mine all last winter and it was perfectly controllable in the snow with Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 tires. You need to get some 17x8" wheels and get the tires in 225/50-17.

I only got stuck once but I was trying to go thru snow that was deeper than my ground clearance.

alz0rz

iTrader: (41)

of course there are snow tires for it

claus

you will be surprised as too how far you can go on the rx8 on snow... even on factory OEM bridgestone 040's

our LSD really works, as long as you're moving... and not trying to start from zero miles !!!

prerequisites:

DSC off (1 click on the button) i.e: Traction control off
top speed @ 20 miles/ 30 kilometers
no steep climbs/ descents
fresh tyres with descent thread on them

you need to be really focused on your driving, in order to achieve the above, so do it only for short trips !!!

enjoy !!!

DarkBrew

I've done three winters in mine.
I ran Ice Bear 225-50-17 tires.
No problems but don't attempt to drive with more than 4" of snow on the road or in the forecast.

MTLbroker

Did 3 winters in RX-8 GT. I found out I had not block heater first time I tried to plug it in (DUH!). But the car always started regardsless of temperature.

The heater warmed up faster than a 2006 Nissan Maxima. Mirrors had heating elements that kept them clear of ice.

The heated seats were nice (but they only have one temp setting).

The rear window defroster shut off automatically (I would have preferred a manually turning off defroster) and I would only realize it was off once snow started to accumulate. On an average commute, I had to switch on the defrost a few times.

The front defrost was OK, you have to keep the ac on to get effective defogging.

I ran on 4 Blizzaks on 17" steel rims. Car was very stable at highway speeds in the snow. Traction control and DSC would kick in from time to time when taking a corner aggressively, but nothing serious. Keep revs low and short shift in slippery conditions encourages smooth driving and you should not have any problems.

04RX8man

I get a winter beater. At least then u can beat the f*** out of it and not car if u slide off the road.....I bought my beater for less than snow tires ha. 350 bucks for a whole car? I would go with a beater

HockeyRX-8

iTrader: (1)

I drove mine all winter......but then again, there was really no snow here this year.

mike73737

stock tires + snow = bad news

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

I had heard mixed reviews of the Hankook Icebears, so...

...I used a new set of Hankook iPikes this past winter, which was a nasty one, and was nothing less than AMAZED at the deep snow and ice capabilities they offered. AMAZED.

I will order them again and again.

claus

i've used: http://www.autosock.com/ .....excellent as well !!!

mike73737

That's a really interesting product. Do they totally fall apart once you use them?

rotten42

where's Mugatu when you need him?

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Covering the tread of your tires will give you more traction? I can't see those things working well.

Looking for someone to shout Search?

Revvittupp

I have made it through multiple Maryladn Winters- not much of a winter, but it does snow a few times, on stock Dunlops. That said, I'm a very experienced winter/snow driver, and my back brakes are more worn down then my front.... i.e. traction control took it's toll...

MazdaJeff

I drove mine this winter in a season where Montreal got it's largest downfall of snow in 50+ years. The car drives great. No issues. Make sure you get decent snow tires though.

However, next year I will not drive my car in the winter. I got all sorts of dings and salt scratches. It is hard on the car. Know what your getting yourself into.

claus

as long as u don't use them on a dry road with no snow or ice on it, nothing will happen to them... on a mixed conditions road though, i.e ice/snow/dry parts a friend of mine made some tears on the edges of the autosocks... i guess due to the spinnin' he did.... ;-) mine are fine, seldom used though... :-) limited slip diff. IS GOOD ...!!!

wisconsinben

This is the WORST advice I have heard on this forum. I can't believe anyone thinks the stock tires are good for snow AND that stability control should be turned OFF!

OP...do the exact opposite of what claus says and you'll be fine. Get snow tires...keep DSC on and the 8 will drive like any other passenger car in the snow.

reaper1

Were a few month early to ask this question , are'nt we ?

Or late for that matter .............................

dmc27

^asking in the spring avoids a quick lock.


Dunlop WinterSport M3

2 winters and counting. Try the search function of the site before you post a new thread.


Happy Hunting!

RshnRoket

I have Dunlop Winter Sport M3's on the stock wheels for snow tires in my basement. If you don't want to buy new rims, the stock size is fine for the snow as long as you don't drive too quickly. Anything more than 45 mph though can lead to a bit of trouble with that size even with good snow tires like the M3's. The M3's are a great winter tire though... great traction in snow, and they are somewhat stiff so the car does retain its incredible responsiveness. It does feel slightly squishier especially in the turns, but you won't notice it after awhile, at least until you switch back to summer tires!

The stock tires + snow = near death experiences. I drove the stock tires home in the snow on the Garden State Parkway about 30 miles last December. I got stuck no times on the parkway, but as soon as I got off my exit, I couldn't get up any hill, and would just slide back down to the bottom. Cause a horrific traffic jam and ended up having to walk the rest of the way home with my RX-8 parked at a local school.

Best option for the winter RX-8 would be good snow tires plus the mazda 3 wheels. Several people I've seen with this setup complain about the lack of traction.

Raptor75

Depending were you live you can get by with All season performance tires. I live in Chicago and get around pretty well on Avon Ultra performance all seasons. By using them you don't have to have a 2nd set of tires. They are a compromise but one I find excitable.

As for the rest of the car, Heated sets are a must. The RX takes for ever to heat up in the winter and the blower does very little at the lower setting. You have to set it to 3 or 4 to get any type of air movement and at that level it sounds like a Jet engine. the HVAC on this car is pretty weak.

RotoRocket

iTrader: (1)

Wisconsinben is right - this is HORRIBLE advice.

On the stock Dunlops, I had the very nastiest experience of my life, in 30 degree (f) weather, and a mere 1 1/2" of snow.

I got caught with an early snowfall in 2005, and had my stock Dunlops on. I had to drive a mere 9 miles. It was the most difficult 9 miles of driving in my life. The tires were hard as a rock, had absolutely ZERO traction, and I was white knuckling it all the way home. It took me one hour and 15 minutes to travel 9 miles.

When I got home, I could not make it up my driveway, which has maybe a 2 degree grade. It's a standard concrete driveway. I had to shovel the driveway, put cat litter down, and even then, I barely made it into my garage.

DO NOT DRIVE THE 8 IN ANY AMOUNT OF SNOW WITH THE SUMMERS ON. TRUST US.

With the Hankook iPikes, the 8 was magically transformed into a toure de force in even 6 or 7" of snow that I could ever have imagined or believed. I literally passed Explorers with ease. Total traction and major stability. The very first heavy snowfall, I could not believe the difference. Night and day.

claus

^^^ sorry guys, that's from my experience on some snow covered areas on a few occasions...

i didn't say driving on summer tyres on snow was easy... but it's do-able !! i don't recommend it, though !!

.... then again if you really need snow tyres.... you will know it !!!