Snow tires

[momfortheenvironment]

I know there were posts last year and did some searches but now that more people have more experience, after some ice today and then some snow I'm thinking about investing in snow tires and wondering what people would recommend for good traction, least decrease in mpg and lastly noise. I have the #4 package.

[MSantos]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(momfortheenvironment @ Dec 30 2006, 08:25 PM) [snapback]368784[/snapback]</div>

I know there were posts last year and did some searches but now that more people have more experience, after some ice today and then some snow I'm thinking about investing in snow tires and wondering what people would recommend for good traction, least decrease in mpg and lastly noise. I have the #4 package.
[/b]

Unfortunetaly, winter tires with good traction do not always contribute to good fuel economy. Its all a matter of physics. What glues you to the surface for safety also slows you down when in motion - that's life.

I always changed my OEM tires to Michelin X-Ice for winter driving and in my view they are the safest and best performing tires in snow and ice conditions. They do produce more road noise as most Winter tires do - so it makes sense to factor that in as well.

I recommend you also get some steel rims as changing rubbers between seasons is a hassle and adds damage to the OEM rims over the life of the car.

Cheers;

MSantos

[motnamser]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(momfortheenvironment @ Dec 30 2006, 10:25 PM) [snapback]368784[/snapback]</div>

I know there were posts last year and did some searches but now that more people have more experience, after some ice today and then some snow I'm thinking about investing in snow tires and wondering what people would recommend for good traction, least decrease in mpg and lastly noise. I have the #4 package.
[/b]

I purchased the Michelin X-Ice and they are excellent. I have gotten through major snow and ice with these tires. They are priceless.

[qbee42]

I've had good luck with Michelin Energy MXV4+ all season tires in the stock size, which are not really snow or ice tires, but do a pretty good job. I run them all year, as they are a great improvement on the OEM Integrity tires.

Tom

[mtsarpilot]

With the recent dumps in Colorado, I'm considering snow tires. With the car being Front Wheel Drive, can we just put snows on the front 2 and leave the rear 2 as OEM tires, or must you do all 4? Accelleration traction does not change if you don't replace the rear 2. Braking traction will change some, although a majority of the braking effectiveness comes from the fronts. Regenerative braking is all front also. So I'm wondering if I really need to do 4, or can we get away with just 2 snow tires?

[MSantos]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mtsarpilot @ Dec 31 2006, 08:47 AM) [snapback]368905[/snapback]</div>

With the recent dumps in Colorado, I'm considering snow tires. With the car being Front Wheel Drive, can we just put snows on the front 2 and leave the rear 2 as OEM tires, or must you do all 4? Accelleration traction does not change if you don't replace the rear 2. Braking traction will change some, although a majority of the braking effectiveness comes from the fronts. Regenerative braking is all front also. So I'm wondering if I really need to do 4, or can we get away with just 2 snow tires?
[/b]

Almost anyone who knows will tell you that it is VERY dangerous to only change tires in sets of two. Any change in rubber should involve all four tires mostly because all four wheels are used by the onboard safety systems (from ABS to VSC) to ensure your safety. By using better winter rubber at the front and not doing the same for your rear pair, you are potentially exposing yourself to greater yaw instability and a serious accident in slippery conditions.

Please do yourself and everyone else sharing a road with you a favor and change all four tires at the same time. As a matter of fact, many shops and dealerships will refuse to install just a set of two because of safety and obvious liability reasons.

Cheers;

MSantos