Lesson learned on Winter Driving

[nastang87xx]

I've driven my Mustang plenty when it was less than 40 degrees. Does just fine.... Loves the cold air. The Indy 500's do quite well in many conditions.

They're also not nearly as sensitive as say Super Sports, 71R's, ExtremeContact Sports, PZeros, or other big dog tires in the Max and Extreme Performance levels. They're a good DD Summer Tire that's comfortable and flexible'ish. Btw, they don't LOVE cold air, they are just tolerant to a point.

Sponsored

 

[nastang87xx]

Stengths isn't really accurate. They have different material properties because of the different material compounds. They are much more durable at high temperatures on the track, for instance.

The cracking is a bit overblown, despite being a real potential problem. With extreme performance summer tires, whose temperature ranges are even higher, that is something to seriously consider. For most performance summers, no.

The cracking isn't a bit overblown, it's WAY overblown. A year ago I got stuck in 30 degree temps on R-S3 v2 tires. They were perfectly fine, structurally. Road mannerisms on the other hand.......

 

[blitzburgh]

San Diego.....fixes all of those problems

 

[vernonator]

San Diego.....fixes all of those problems

Yeah but California? No thanks.....

 

[Zelek]

They're also not nearly as sensitive as say Super Sports, 71R's, ExtremeContact Sports, PZeros, or other big dog tires in the Max and Extreme Performance levels. They're a good DD Summer Tire that's comfortable and flexible'ish. Btw, they don't LOVE cold air, they are just tolerant to a point.

I meant the car loves the cold, not so much the tires.

 

[BmacIL]

The cracking isn't a bit overblown, it's WAY overblown. A year ago I got stuck in 30 degree temps on R-S3 v2 tires. They were perfectly fine, structurally. Road mannerisms on the other hand.......

Try those or RE71Rs in below 20F and you may see some durability issues. Agreed it's way overblown but there's a point where it will happen.

 

[nastang87xx]

Try those or RE71Rs in below 20F and you may see some durability issues. Agreed it's way overblown but there's a point where it will happen.

No, you're right, that definitely will happen. In fact my R-S3's did exhibit some cracks but specifically in the tread but as far as the actual structural integrity and tire walls, they were fine. I would also think no idiot would have 71R's on their car in such conditions either ha.

 

[BmacIL]

No, you're right, that definitely will happen. In fact my R-S3's did exhibit some cracks but specifically in the tread but as far as the actual structural integrity and tire walls, they were fine. I would also think no idiot would have 71R's on their car in such conditions either ha.

Lol nope, but never doubt the capability of stupid to accept challenges.

 

[Hack]

Hmm never gotten the popping yet. But yup I do have the pirellis summer tires. Which actually handle great in the summer no spin at all just the normal wheel hop. But yeah definetly going to the MP4S or something of the sort when I gotta change.

On that note though, for the people with Michelin performance tires how are they in terms of durability, i went completely away from Michelin on two vehicles because they started sort of getting small cracking around the tread and sidewalls until eventually the whole sidewall was covered in small cracks. I also saw it a lot in other passenger cars and trucks so not sure how big of an issue it still is.

The Michelin Pilot Super Sports on the GT350 supposedly have a unique compound, but I haven't had any problems down to 20s F. I would assume the MP4S would be similar. I mostly make sure I never drive with them if there will be snow or ice. I have gotten caught with a little snow and they weren't completely terrible. Either way, they didn't crack or anything.

 

[Johnnybee]

The S550 in the snow with snow tires is quite competent. It's primary limitation will be ground clearance, not traction, once equipped.

My EB 'vert is riding on standard EB rims with 235/55R-17 Nokian R3 rubber. Just waiting for the first real snow to confirm that it's as good or better (expecting the latter) than the '91 Caprice Classic (with posi) that I drove on all seasons.

 

[Laststandard]

Uffda. The 1LE is parked in the garage and will stay there until the first good rain next spring. Last time I drove it was on Thanksgiving, and with the 35* temps there may as well have been ice on the road. Winter time is for the Xterra with 4wd..

 

[Blue Moon]

I spent one of Little Rock, Arkansas' rare snow episodes driving an MGTD. The unusually difficult driving conditions were enough to stop cars from going over the bridge between Little Rock and the bedroom communities of North Little Rock, Conway, and others. Civic groups of both sides of the river made parking available, and the railroad ran commuter shuttles all day long.

I had very little trouble getting around in my MG. Could have been the tires—Kelly Springfield— or just better control potential in the little car, but as I drove back and forth from town to Air Force Base over some pretty significant hills, at the bottom of each hill I'd encounter clumps of cars and pickups in disarray, some with people standing around, shaking their fists as I buzzed up the hill.

I was stationed at LRAFB for almost 20 years, I know all those hills. Once you get a safe distance away from them, it's hilarious to watch Arkansans try to drive in snow.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

had very little trouble getting around in my MG. Could have been the tires—Kelly Springfield— or just better control potential in the little car, but as I drove back and forth from town to Air Force Base over some pretty significant hills, at the bottom of each hill I'd encounter clumps of cars and pickups in disarray, some with people standing around, shaking their fists as I buzzed up the hill.

I'm sure the narrow tires helped as they will cut thru the snow instead of floating on top.

 

[xmadror]

Took my ebm to work this weekend at ~16C (3F) and it was a blast, the car loved the cold air!
I wish I could get that throttle response year round!
Toyo something winter tire are giving me about as much traction as possible given the snowy/icy road.

 

[NorthernMuscle]

You've just got to do what you've got to do!

This is with Blizzak snow tires in my driveway. When it gets a little worse than this I typically park it and drive my AWD

Sponsored