snow or all seasons?

[statik]

I live in NY(long island) and last year we had alot of snow and they are predicting as much or more this year. So what do you think I should get, snow tires or all seasons? What is everyone else using in these conditions? Id like to get away with all seasons but I also dont wanna chance getting stuck this winter. Can winter tires be driven dry for now or would that wear them quicker?

[ny180sx]

I live in Long Island, Suffolk county too. I drove my 240sx last winter when we had more than 20" of snow. I have All Season tire [Gillette Accelerator G/T] but it has better traction at snow condition.

[bobmeindertsma]

I Live in Alberta Canada
and i ran all seasons last year and im running winters this year
i say go with winters for sure if your gonna be drivin in winter
I use them with 3 sand bags in the back and it works great:D

[statik]

Originally posted by ny180sx
I live in Long Island, Suffolk county too. I drove my 240sx last winter when we had more than 20" of snow. I have All Season tire [Gillette Accelerator G/T] but it has better traction at snow condition.

where you @ in suffolk county? do you go to the Z meet by smith haven mall in the apple bees parking light? So you ran all seasons last year and drove? I had a rx7 last winter and street tires where on when snow hit, i hit a telephone pole =[ What size did you use? 195? i dont think i can fit anything less than 215 on my Z rims but im not sure.

[statik]

Originally posted by bobmeindertsma
I Live in Alberta Canada
and i ran all seasons last year and im running winters this year
i say go with winters for sure if your gonna be drivin in winter
I use them with 3 sand bags in the back and it works great:D

those sand bags come in handy? haha my bro told me to do the same. what winter tires you gonna run?

[bobmeindertsma]

i find that the sand bags help alot.
about the tires ill have to post what they are exactly later tonight

[aznpoopy]

sandbags are a tradeoff. if you keep your car well under its snow condition limits then yes, they help. however once your rear end kicks loose it is going to be harder to bring back, b/c of the extra weight -> extra momentum. a lighter rear (w/o bags) is going to be comparitively easier to pull back into place. so it really depends on how you drive. really, if you know your car and your familiar with its limits under snow then you dont need sandbags.

as for the tires i would assume snow tires are better in snow then all seasons, but it gets iffy when you start comparing across different brands; levels; etc. i think it would be helpful if everyone mentioned specific brands and tires. as for me, i'm taking the 240 out to a parking lot first snow fall to try it out and see how it goes. after that, then i'll decide on what to get.

[statik]

well my tires are bald and ready to break apart heh so i need something now, so im thinking all seasons, no reason to run snow when there isnt any yet

[ny180sx]

I'm at LIE Exit 49. Yes. I went Z meet by smith haven mall. I heard there is another meeting this thursday. Anyway, I hope you can find the best tire that fits for your car.
My tire spec 195/60/15R [For winter].Good Luck...

[statik]

Originally posted by ny180sx
I'm at LIE Exit 49. Yes. I went Z meet by smith haven mall. I heard there is another meeting this thursday. Anyway, I hope you can find the best tire that fits for your car.
My tire spec 195/60/15R [For winter].Good Luck...

it will probably be rained out again, ill see what i can get for my car, but i think im gonna play it safe and get some good snow tires

[Chernobyl]

If you only own one set of wheels, get all seasons. I have one set with studded snows, and another with ES100s... and two hydraulic jacks. Give me 20 minutes, and I'm good to go in any weather.:D

[KiDyNomiTe]

Blizzaks all the way :D.

I have a set waiting to be put on, but it just doesn't want to snow here in Chicago (at least not in the west burbs).

[statik]

lets say I went with snow tires, would i damage them or wear them down by driving them on the street?

[Chernobyl]

Originally posted by statik
lets say I went with snow tires, would i damage them or wear them down by driving them on the street?

Not really. They would wear down faster in warmer weather though, due to the compound. If you went studded, you'd be doing a lot more damage to the streets than the tires:D

[statik]

Originally posted by Chernobyl
Not really. They would wear down faster in warmer weather though, due to the compound. If you went studded, you'd be doing a lot more damage to the streets than the tires:D

nah thats not damage, creating "traction spots" for the rain/light snow, helps other drivers

[statik]

OK can anyone recommend some snow tires? I can prolly go 215 with the Z rims

[KoukiS14]

All season = worthless
You'll compromise your fun factor in warmer weather, and have mediocre grip in the winter. . who wants that?

I've got summer tires, and Michelin Arctic Alpins mounted on 95 Maxima SE rims. . I was skeptical. . but OMFG. . they are amazing. . it turns your 240sx into a snow mobile. . SO MUCH FUN to drive in the snow, and I can climb hills almost like I gotta 4x4 . .hahaha it beats a FWD car with all season. (comparing to my mom's Altima)

[statik]

Originally posted by KoukiS14
All season = worthless
You'll compromise your fun factor in warmer weather, and have mediocre grip in the winter. . who wants that?

I've got summer tires, and Michelin Arctic Alpins mounted on 95 Maxima SE rims. . I was skeptical. . but OMFG. . they are amazing. . it turns your 240sx into a snow mobile. . SO MUCH FUN to drive in the snow, and I can climb hills almost like I gotta 4x4 . .hahaha it beats a FWD car with all season. (comparing to my mom's Altima)

thank you! thats the kinda responce i was looking for, imma get me a sr20 powerd snow mobile! =], no seriously, these Z rims wont stay on long so winter tires it is. im guessing u recommend Michelin Artic Alpines then? what size do you run?

[mike13]

i'm under the impression that when switching to snow tires, the thinnest tire that will fit on your rim is the choice to go with. Thin vs. Wide tires, thinner have more grip in snow? I've noticed that WRC cars have snow tires that look to be about 4" wide. :p

[KoukiS14]

Originally posted by statik
thank you! thats the kinda responce i was looking for, imma get me a sr20 powerd snow mobile! =], no seriously, these Z rims wont stay on long so winter tires it is. im guessing u recommend Michelin Artic Alpines then? what size do you run?

I have 195/65/15. . .but these wheels and tires I bought used (hrdly haha) from a friend with a 95 Maxima that moved to Cali. They will not fit with Z brakes, but I figured .. hell. . I can't afford those ANYWAY right now haha. . but they work fine stock. .the offset is a little weird, since they're FWD. . ALMOST looks like the front is too far in to fit correctly, but they work perfectly.


Here's a pic:
http://home.insightbb.com/~otpics/240sxsnow.jpg

[KoukiS14]

Originally posted by mike13
i'm under the impression that when switching to snow tires, the thinnest tire that will fit on your rim is the choice to go with. Thin vs. Wide tires, thinner have more grip in snow? I've noticed that WRC cars have snow tires that look to be about 4" wide. :p

Actually. .that's a good question. . I'm not for sure. .

[KoukiS14]

Forgot to answer one of your questions. . you can drive winter tires on dry pavement, but it should be cold outside. . actually, on dry pavement. . those arctic alpins handle incredibly well. (cold dry pavement, that is)

But they're very soft rubber, and can actually melt when it's too warm. . I'm trying to decide when I'm gonna put mine on. . usually I wait till the first snow, then put them on that day / night haha

They'll last a LONG time, too. . mine have been used for probably about 3 years, and are still in pretty much brand new condition.

[aznpoopy]

ooo thanks u sah. guess i have to go buy some cheap wheels and throw those on. anyone selling their stock s14 teardrop rims? lol.

[statik]

Originally posted by KoukiS14
Actually. .that's a good question. . I'm not for sure. .

thinner tires are best yes, im pretty sure it because thinner tires are easier to push through snow but it could be more than that

[statik]

Originally posted by KoukiS14
Forgot to answer one of your questions. . you can drive winter tires on dry pavement, but it should be cold outside. . actually, on dry pavement. . those arctic alpins handle incredibly well. (cold dry pavement, that is)

But they're very soft rubber, and can actually melt when it's too warm. . I'm trying to decide when I'm gonna put mine on. . usually I wait till the first snow, then put them on that day / night haha

They'll last a LONG time, too. . mine have been used for probably about 3 years, and are still in pretty much brand new condition.

how are the arctics on wet pavement? ice?

[KoukiS14]

Originally posted by statik
thinner tires are best yes, im pretty sure it because thinner tires are easier to push through snow but it could be more than that

THAT makes sense, actually. . it'd take a lot more effort to push 'em through deep snow.

[KoukiS14]

Originally posted by statik
how are the arctics on wet pavement? ice?

INCREDIBLE. . I mean, ice is still ice, but I can accelerate without any wheelspin if I choose to. (or little wheelspin). . and even if you DO spin a bit ,you can still accelerate :D


wet driving is amazing with them

[insurgent]

thinner tires are better in the snow. think of a snow shoe. it stays on top of the snow because its wide and it disperses the weight across a greater area. in a car this would give you alot less traction. so you want a skinnier tire to put more weight and sink your tread into the snow, not travel on top.

[KoukiS14]

Originally posted by insurgent
thinner tires are better in the snow. think of a snow shoe. it stays on top of the snow because its wide and it disperses the weight across a greater area. in a car this would give you alot less traction. so you want a skinnier tire to put more weight and sink your tread into the snow, not travel on top.

That's a good way to put it. .
I'm glad mine are skinny :o

(but just happened to work that way haha)


I can't wait till it snows. . I used to dread this. . but oh man. . it is soooo much fun in the snow now. . I took on a guy in a 4x4, and beat him .. in snow. . (tires make ALL the difference)

[insurgent]

yea im to afraid to drift my car in the dry. but snow is another story. fun fun :D :D :D