MS3 and snow/ice questions

[tsunami]

lowered with snow tires here in maine and i have no issues.... though i don't have the front lsd like you ms3 guys have nor traction control and i get around fine... though if it snows a lot as jbiird said i turn into a snow plow with my 2-3" clearance under the chin spoiler..


as others have said it all depends on your type of winter but my first year on the bad good year RSA tires almost killed me a couple of times and my girlfriend hung up the frame on a snowbank.... chicks.... anyways the next year i bought a set of used snow tires localy and a set of used protege 16" wheels and for less then 300$ i had a nice looking set of winter wheels...

try to find some stock mazda 17" or 16" wheels (do 16 fit an ms3?) and maybe some used tires in craigs list or some other local classifieds and get yourself some cheap traction.

 

[Sacrilicious]

actually it wasnt lowered at that point, delaware/PA is really just terrible at plowing and the roads usually just have 2 tire tracks on either side of a big mound of snow. My car is lowered now, so my point is extra relevant to me i guess, maybe not to everyone

+1 to the crappy plowing in PA...oh the memories...=/

 

[Sacrilicious]

anyways the next year i bought a set of used snow tires localy and a set of used protege 16" wheels and for less then 300$ i had a nice looking set of winter wheels...

try to find some stock mazda 17" or 16" wheels (do 16 fit an ms3?) and maybe some used tires in craigs list or some other local classifieds and get yourself some cheap traction.

ya, i was considering buying some used stuff, but when it came down to it, i realized that if i got the wheels and tires separately, i would have to pay to have the tires mounted and then balanced, which is starting to dig into the money i'm supposedly saving already! in the end, i just gave up and bought the entire thing from tirerack and had them mount+balance it for free before shipping...

 

[flipstylex]

eh..., ill take my chances . I believe GOD will take care of me nomatter what conditions are .lOL... i do it every year, i'm used to the lifestyle, we don't get winters like u guys do up north, hardly snows, if it does, not that bad, it gets salted and plowed, next day , ready for drivin...on top of that, u can save more noney by swithcing to geico

+1 to stock tires

 

[Colleptic]

eh...on top of that, u can save more noney by swithcing to geico

+1 to stock tires

I want Geigo! I want another insurance brand period!

 

[happy and angry]

I believe GOD will take care of me nomatter what conditions are

... wow.

 

[robin2660]

I have been vascilating between choosing winters and all-seasons for Chicago-land. I think if all-seasons are good enough I can use them year-round - just get them mounted on my stock rims. If I get winters, then I'll buy them in 16 or 17" and switch them out every season.

I have driven Camrys for the last 13 years (driving one now) with all-seasons, and they do ok. I haven't used snow tires since 1978 when I had a pair of them on the back of my '66 Dodge. I pulled an IH Scout (?) 4WD out of some crap with that setup. I'd keep the Camry for Winter but it isn't the best economical choice. If the MS3 works well enough, the Camry is gone.

As for the "I'm in Canada" comments, well, Southern Canada isn't different than Northern US. In fact, if you live in Vancouver or Victoria, you probably will never need snow tires unless you regularly go into the mountains.

What do you all use in Chicago-type winters for MS3? Recommendations all-season vs winters?

Also, what do you all think about switching to high performance all-seasons when the stockers wear out?

 

[happy and angry]

Strongly suggesting winters, if you're going to go for a second set. You get to have a proper summer tire for proper summer driving that way. Think of it this way:

- for 8 months out of the year you'll have summer tires, which provide better mild to warm weather traction than an all season tire does, and you can stick to an aggressive performance tire.
- for 4 months out of the year you'll have winter tires, which provide better cold weather traction than an all season tire does, and you can be confident in your ability to manoeuver in emergency situations on the road.
- both sets of tires will last longer than your all seasons would.

I'm in Ottawa, not much further north than Chicago. I can't imagine you get very many mild winters, although being close to lake Michigan may moderate them some.

If it's mild enough, a second set of good all-seasons for mild winters and switching to good performance summers would be what I'd do, although I know buying a second set of tires/rims sounds expensive.

 

[BDL]

sfalexi - In response to your question, the factory "summer" tires are horrible in any winter situation (as I just experienced as I live in MN). We have a lot of hard compacted snowy roads, and my original tires had 0 breaking, turning or acceloration abilities.

Yesterday I had Discount Tire put on Hankook 225 40v/18 (for around $750) and it made all the difference in the world. They bagged my original summer tires, and I'll have them put those back on in the spring for about $50.

 

[andrew.savage]

... wow.

he was kidding

 

[Kevin Barrett]

Just a response to the "god" poster.I had a small collision this winter
the stock Goodyear eagle tires were exactly like rotating rings of
tractionless plastic.The plows do not remove every bit of slippery
stuff... What about parking lots,sloped driveways,etc..etc.

You could perhaps have some faith in good judgement instead of "god"

When you damage your car and someone elses property does your
special friend offer to pay your deductible?

My inexpensive steel wheels and winter radials made a huge difference
in controlling the vehicle. What if your 2 babies have a head on collision. "GOD" will not prevent this.Just breaking a headlight costs more
than 500 dollars.(chair)

 

[jbiird317]

you guys can feel free to discuss religous views in the Off topic section. This thread is for snow and ice discussion, lets keep it that way

 

[choppergee]

Snow tires

I would buy 2 snow tire for the front. Should only cost just over $300.00. You don't wanna end up like me. I was going about 10mph around the corner and slid into a stop sign.. Damn!!

 

[happy and angry]

Guess what, front load traction on your car by only putting winter tires there, and you'll end up doing the same. Only this time it'll be ass-end first as the front of your car becomes a pivot because of its heavy traction bias when compared to the rear.

Replace all four tires.

 

[assman]

+1

If you have 2 good and 2 bad tires. ALWAYS put the good ones on the back.

Unless some russian comes on here and says different, take the 2 Canadians advice on this one.

 

[egypsy]

Last night, there was a light snow shower in Utah. One my way home, there was an icy section closed by the police on the highway. I drove slowly (40mph) through the one lane traffic and felt my four wheels started to drift. It was rather scary. As soon as I got home, I bite the bullet and ordered a set of Blizzak WS-60 along with a set of 17" wheels from Tirerack. Hopefully, these will give me some tractions in snow/ice conditions.

Also, I should be able to take my speed3 to ski resorts with winter tires now.

 

[ottawaP5]

Like some people said, get performance winter tires. You get half decent handling and great performance in snow/ice.

I have to say that the MS3 is quite decent in the snow.

 

[Kevin Barrett]

I am very happy to see people getting winter tires,my 3GT was truly
frightening in Alberta winter conditions,virtually undrivable.We couldn't
even fool around in parking lots because the car had so little traction.
Gentle,slow corners would cause the car to push and then you needed more
steering input,pretty soon you lose the rear end...With our winter tires now
it goes like hell,it inspires confidence you know?

P.S our car is not the Speed3 just a fully loaded GT, 16 inch worked great
and saved some money on the set.

 

[Olestra]

Last night, there was a light snow shower in Utah. One my way home, there was an icy section closed by the police on the highway. I drove slowly (40mph) through the one lane traffic and felt my four wheels started to drift. It was rather scary. As soon as I got home, I bite the bullet and ordered a set of Blizzak WS-60 along with a set of 17" wheels from Tirerack. Hopefully, these will give me some tractions in snow/ice conditions.

Also, I should be able to take my speed3 to ski resorts with winter tires now.

Hehe, 40 mph on ice doesn't seem slow to me. =)

Whoever said replace two tires with snows only, that is the worst misinformation for a deathwish...