toxin440

It was in the shop due to a Raccoon running out in front of me and causing 2K worth of damage, I finally get it back this friday though, YAY!


Okay i did some searching and couldnt find any advice on the topic of snow tires + long distance travel to NON-snowy environments. My situation, I live in dallas TX and have to travel every week to northern Arkansas for work, it's pretty hilly and curvy where I'm at, and according to everyone here it gets DAMN cold, icey, and snowy in winter. I've NEVER seen real snow (i lived in south texas my whole life) and much less i've never had to drive in it (with the 8 or any car)

So my question is: if I go out and get snow tires, (im afraid how much that will cost) and do 800+ miles a week on them, in arkansas and back to Texas... is it a big deal if i use the snow tires when I will only be driving in snow maybe like 25% of the time?

I know it might be a stupid question, I'm just VERY afraid about not knowing how to drive in snow, and running my brand new RX8 off the side of a big hill in this state.

Please feel free to give me your thoughts on the best thing to do for my situation.

Thanks
Jeff

Astral

You will wear those snows pretty fast... I would recommend getting cheaper snows, like Blizzak WS-50 and replace them as they get to 5/32nds tread depth. You should be able to get 20K miles out of snows before they get not so good in snow.

It's no big deal to use snows in snow only 25% of the time... that's what happens most places anyway. When you have the snows on, you will experience softer steering, more squirm from the tires. I got used to mine already and don't notice.

I think you'd be OK when you encounter snow for the first time. The key is to slow down... the worst thing is ice, snow isn't all that bad. Basically, be gentle with steering inputs, don't punch the gas and don't punch the brakes, so you don't suddenly upset the car. Keep a good distance before the car in front of you.

When you get on a snowy road for the first time, going about 15mph try braking harder to get a feel for when you start locking up (ABS kicking in)... this will give you a reference for the type of braking distance and traction that you have.

I am not sure about going up hills with RWD. If there is just some snow (2" say), you should be OK to gently give it gas, maybe a little bit of tail wading if you give too much, but it should pull you up fine in the snows. However, if there's more snow or something nastier (like iced over snow), then I am not sure about how one would deal with that. I will find out this winter.

Sorry, the advice is kinda corny. The more complex stuff includes understanding car balance. For example, if you're understeering and accelerating, letting go of gas will shift weight forward and help the fronts bite, and it's important not to turn in too much. If you're oversteering, getting on the gas will shift weight backward and help the rears bite, and it's important to counter-steer. Stuff like this takes practice to learn... find a big parking lot up there in AK and try a little bit of sliding around. Try going forward, then turning too much. Be careful not to drive too fast in the parking lot, for you dont' want to slide too far and hit the median.

toxin440

thanks for the input, one idea I just had this morning.... I saw some snow tires for about 200 each, on tire rack.com is that a good price? What if I just bought TWO snow tires and put them on the rear of the car, would that be effective or is it one of those "all or nothing" deals?


What possibility (if any) is there for chains on the tires? Or is that a no-no for this car?

HolyCross05

You drive 800+ miles a week on the 8? Damn, how much money do you spend on gas, and how many total miles have you put on it?

toxin440

i have 5000 miles on it right now... and the company i work for pays for milage (.485 cents a mile) so it doenst cost me anything in terms of gas...

im just really worried about being in this state, and going over ice, terrified about running my 8 off a hill in ice. My only options I'm seeing is to spend 800 dollars for a set of cheap 18" snow tires.... any other ideas?

RotrDoc

Your employer is re-imbursing $500 a week and you're sweating $800 for the entire winter? Part of that mileage allowance is for rubber, you know!

Astral

All or nothing. With snows only on the rears, you will be plowing into things and unable to turn. Never put just two tires on this car, and most any other cars.

The manual says you can use chains and gives guidelines... However, that's for really rough situations... you wouldn't want to drive around in the winter with those.. you'd probably really scratch up the rims too.

Astral

Exactly! The $800 can go really far towards your sanity and safety. $1000 can get you a brand new set of 17" rims and winter tires from tirerack.com.

8is>enuff

Instead of buying dedicated snow tires, buy all seasons. You can switch them for the stockers during the summer and just use them for the possibility of snow up north during the winter months. Keep in mind that while they're better than the stock tires, there not as good as winter tires in the snow.

I don't know how much snow you're going to see, but if you're in TX 6 days a week and only possibly seeing snow once a week they should be fine.

jimbo912

I live in Buffalo NY,and yes we get snow!! I had Pirelli snows the past 2 years and they worked great. This year I'm going with Avon All Seasons and so far no problems in up to 3 inches of snow. Go check Tire Rack for the Avon Tech 550 All SEasons,they are the highest rated in their group

josh989

I have to agree with jimbo, just got a set of the Avons all season. put them on stock rims. they grip better on dry that the potenza's and they work well in the snow as well, just leave the traction control on.

toxin440

Thanks for the input guys, those Avons look damn sweet, all the reviews ive been reading they seem like a dream and they are only 100-somethinb bucks! I can deal with replacing the Stock Potenza's with these for 500ish dollars, plus the ride would be MUCH quieter.

I'm assuming TPMS system is dependant on the RIM right? has nothing to do with the tire correct? I'm sticking with the stock 18" rim no matter what.... just one of those quick questions.

Thanks for the heads up on these tires, I just might be ordering a set within the next week or so


Jeff

Astral

Yes and yes. Stick with stockers and you'll be fine. Good luck with the Avons, sounds like the right solution for you!

jimbo912

Toxin, go get the Avons right now!! Trust me,you will have NO regrets!!