". ." (xllx)
11/07/2013 at 11:00 • Filed to: tyres, tires
0
13|
". ." (xllx)
11/07/2013 at 11:00 • Filed to: tyres, tires | 0
| 13 |
As I do each autumn, today I waved goodbye to my Michelin Primacy HPs and swapped them for my Nokian WRG2 tyres. It's the right thing to do, but it still makes me very sad.
Let me explain why.
Switching to winter tyres means that the season for cool, spontaneous drives is over. The moment those Nokians came on, my car ceased being a fun and exciting toy and turned into a boring commuter machine. I had to say goodbye to the nice stance the wider rear wheels give my car, I had to pack my understated, but nice pretty much pristine CLK Elegance wheels and put on my beat up SLK rims (they're narrower, hence better for snow), and, most painfully of all, I had to part with the grip and security summer tyres give. When the winter tyre season starts (in theory, that's when the average temperature falls below 7*C) I just can't bring myself to enjoy my car nearly as much as I do during the summer. The weather may be perfectly suited for a relaxing or spirited drive across some country roads, but I'm aware that my car is not performing at its best. I know that if i had my summer wheels on, I'd have the benefit of more grip, better response, and even a nicer sound coming from underneath my car. That just ruins it for me.
Don't get me wrong. Those Nokians are brilliant tyres. In snow, my light-arsed CLK manages to go on like a tank. If anybody asks, I can recommend them with a clear concience. That doesn't make this transiton much easier for me though.
Casper
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11/07/2013 at 11:04 |
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I go play just as much in the winter. Rain/snow means I can get opposite lock without wearing down my tires. I just wish I had my S2000 still, not more convertible means no more winter "sleigh" rides for me. Just have to settle for sliding around corners in a heated cabin.
MooseKnuckles
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11/07/2013 at 11:05 |
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Yes but now you can effortlessly put it sideways and hold it sideways for many many meters of snow throwing rooster tails.
Aya, Almost Has A Cosmo With Toyota Engine Owned by a BMW.
> . .
11/07/2013 at 11:05 |
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Maybe because your tires made out frome one of these..
Also, i kinda wish my country have winter.
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> Casper
11/07/2013 at 11:06 |
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Sliding around is snow is fun, I agree. I always do a lot of it. Winter conditions make regular driving much more stress ful though. I'd gladly trade some awesome sliding for good weather in which I can randomly go out, do 200 km and come back with a smile though.
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> MooseKnuckles
11/07/2013 at 11:09 |
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There isn't any snow yet. It's just that the weather has become cold enough for snow to fall pretty much any day. All in all, it's better to put your winter tyres on too early (especially if it's cold enough for them to be effective anyway), than have to go around in 20cm+ of snow on winter rubber and then queue with all the other gamblers at tyre shops.
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Casper
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11/07/2013 at 11:12 |
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True. I was just showing winter doesn't require a sad. I personally like the stress makes me feel like I have accomplished something by getting a sports car into work through ice and snow most people avoid with four wheel drives ;)
doodon2whls
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11/07/2013 at 11:19 |
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I haven't switched yet, but the time is coming...
The stock tires are 225/45R16 which is an odd size with limited tire choices (for better or worse).
My snow tire setup is the 205/50R16 XL (extra load) Hankook W300 IceBear. Since they are XL tires (stronger/stiffer construction) and still relatively low profile, the drives can still be mildly spirited, but the ultimate grip and steering response of the tire is down, so no strafing runs through the twisties.
Snow tires beat the alternative - having a mild performance all-season tire on your call for dull driving all year round. Just think how happy you'll be in March when you put the summer tires back on !
ColoradoTaco
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11/07/2013 at 11:19 |
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The fun is just getting started when my snows go on. Driving up to the hills every weekend to go riding is half the fun. Sure, I attend shows and the occasional canyon run during the Summer but I literally put twice as many miles on in the Winter
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MooseKnuckles
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11/07/2013 at 11:22 |
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It's funny the people that say winter tires are just a cash-grab. FWD, RWD, AWD, i don't care where power is sent, grip and stopping distance on winter biscuits can't be argued with.
I run General AltiMax Artics (without studs) on my CTS, and just Conti DWS all seasons on my Mazda6.
E30Joe drives a Subaru
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11/07/2013 at 11:32 |
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Winter for me means that drifting becomes a lot cheaper and way easier on my car.
Tires don't wear down and everything is so smooth and graceful!
dinobot666
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11/07/2013 at 11:51 |
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They're only not fun until the white stuff covers the roads, then winter tires are a blast.
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> MooseKnuckles
11/07/2013 at 12:38 |
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Up until recently we kept my dad's Nissan Navara on the all weather tyres it came on (Goodyear Wrangler), but this year we said nuh-uh and got it some nice Bridgestone Blizzaks. Last winter I got caught in a heavy snowstorm in it, and there was literally no grip to be found. That was really the last straw. 4x4 may be good for getting you off the line, but it doesn't help one bit with braking (especially in a 2,5 tonne pickup), and only very slightly with steering. Winter tyres are definitely not just a trick to make people spend more.
You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
> . .
11/07/2013 at 13:37 |
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No need for a sad just because you have winter tires on. Here, have some inspiration.
