Improving winter traction

[Screwdgie]

So I got to test out the Blizzak WS80s on my GT today. Had to navigate through about 2 inches of a slush/sleet mess. Not gonna lie, it scared the crap out of me. Being a base GT, I don't have the snow/wet mode, but with traction control both on and off I really couldn't get over 10 mph without it getting squirrelly. I expected the ass to kick out some but wtf, even in 2nd or 3rd gear at slow speeds it either just bogs or spins like crazy. Hopefully it will be better in straight up snow instead of this slushy crap we got in Chicagoland today.

I'm hoping adding some weight in the trunk will help out greatly. How much/what kind of weight in the trunk do you guys add that drive through winter weather ?

Yes, I should have just bought a winter beater but it wasn't in the budget this year among other reasons. I only average about 500 miles a month and have plenty of vacation days to use if the weather is really bad, but I barely made it to and from the gym today lol.

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[BmacIL]

I have the same tires and did not have any problems in that first big snow fall we had in November. What are your pressures? TC off is easier to control. What size did you get? I ended up with 225 55R18.

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[Screwdgie]

I'm at 235/50/18 around 35 psi. Haven't gotten to try it out in fresh snow yet, just the slushy icy mess that fell today. I'm hoping what I drove through today was just really that bad lol as I've driven through many Chicagoland weathers without many issues, albeit in fwd or awd.

 

[Screwdgie]

I should add that all driving today was through side streets to get to the gym, that had not been touched by plows or anything

 

[Coaster]

Door panel should say 32 for tire pressure, why are you running higher than that?

 

[Screwdgie]

Door panel should say 32 for tire pressure, why are you running higher than that?

That's what the tire shop aired them up to when I had the tires mounted. Didn't even think to check what the door jam label said. I wouldn't think it would make that much of a difference though?

 

[ssyellow]

That's what the tire shop aired them up to when I had the tires mounted. Didn't even think to check what the door jam label said. I wouldn't think it would make that much of a difference though?

Maybe a little but not much. When (if) it gets colder the PSI will drop a little anyways.

I'm going to say its due to this slush crap we have. Might go out in a bit to test out my snow tires. In normal snow they should fair much better I would think.

 

[BmacIL]

I just went out in the slush crap. Got around fine, even up some mild inclines. It was mostly half plowed.

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[Screwdgie]

I just went out in the slush crap. Got around fine, even up some mild inclines. It was mostly half plowed.

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Well damn, wth is my problem lol. What tire pressure are you running?

 

[BmacIL]

Well damn, wth is my problem lol. What tire pressure are you running?

They were all at 30 cold. How many miles on your tires? I drove with TC off the whole time. Just easy, smooth application and you can accelerate reasonably.

 

[Screwdgie]

They've got maybe 500 miles on them. I'll try airing them down a bit and see if that helps any. With TC on, it just bogged horribly until I gave it more gas then it would just spin. With TC off, it felt like I was just steering with the throttle and the rear did whatever it wanted lol.

I'm sure I'll have much better luck once I get off the untreated side streets and onto the main road.

 

[SpaceGhost]

Put some bags of sand in the trunk. I only put them in when bad weather is expected. Leave them in the garage the rest of the time.

 

[BmacIL]

They've got maybe 500 miles on them. I'll try airing them down a bit and see if that helps any. With TC on, it just bogged horribly until I gave it more gas then it would just spin. With TC off, it felt like I was just steering with the throttle and the rear did whatever it wanted lol.

I'm sure I'll have much better luck once I get off the untreated side streets and onto the main road.

Just try to keep a light but constant throttle. You'll get a small amount of spin but if the torque applied is constant it will be very controllable with a little countersteering.

 

[sculptor310]

I have Blizzaks and have struggled in anything deeper than a few inches.

Weight in the back does make a difference.

Most of the conditions that have me stuck or squirrelly are bad enough to effect FWD and some AWD cars as well.

Best of luck.

 

[Zodiac]

I never had a good experience with the Blizzaks in NY winters. My favorite were the Firestone Winterforce followed closely by the Michelin X-ice.

I also used to put bags of cat litter in the trunk of my 05. Not only was it extra weight, but it helped if you got stuck.

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