Who is switching to winter tires and steel wheels?

[Lazy2.5]

I disagree that the note in the manual about bumping up psi in snow tires is to account for a drop in ambient temperature for winter. I believe they would state that if it was implied.

I’d lean towards it has to do with the softer rubber compounds used in their design and how it affects drive feel.

But that’s just me.

Yes, I think you're right. While it does have something to do with it, It's probably to maintain tire firmness.

I am currently playing around with higher pressures in my winter tires, but I think that 36+4PSI will be too stiff.

 

[leeharvey418]

Just don't be this person.

…

Though it did look smooth

“Any landing you can walk away from…”

 

[madar]

Just don't be this person.

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Though it did look smooth

That is exactly why I stay off the highway during bad snowstorms, I take back roads. People who don't have experience in snow do that crap. Especially the influx of new drivers every year.

 

[GFrosty]

That is exactly why I stay off the highway during bad snowstorms, I take back roads. People who don't have experience in snow do that crap. Especially the influx of new drivers every year.

I do the same, avoiding such drivers. Far too many people, out there, imagine highway=speed without regard to conditions. Can be deadly.

Myself, with my own vehicles -- Stellar tires for the conditions; speeds suitable for conditions; liberal use of emergency flasher lighting, when conditions are bad; a bare minimum of lane changing (as much for everyone else as for me); plenty of space maintained between me and the car ahead of me; refusal to allow tailgaters to remain on my tail; plenty of braking time, easing into it if the conditions are sketchy (ie, slush, ice).

That fool in the video was going 2x the reasonable speed in that situation, and quite likely didn't have good snow/ice-capable tires on that rig. In my area, while we rarely get more than a couple inches on the ground at a time, it can get bitterly cold, and there is often minor to moderate icing on the roads. I'd estimate that ~80-90% of cars on the road, over the winter, just have their normal tires on. And so, lots of cars end up plowing into the next car ahead, ending up losing control and side-swiping others or ending up in ditches. Dumb. And close to 100% avoidable.

Some years back, I had a VW Passat 2.8L 4Motion/AWD. Had a second set of rims/tires. Always great winter tires (ie, Nokian Hakkas, or Dunlop SP Winter Sport). The tires, plus my highly-defensive and -cautious winter driving approach has saved my bacon on more than a few occasions.

 

[madar]

I do the same, avoiding such drivers. Far too many people, out there, imagine highway=speed without regard to conditions. Can be deadly.

Myself, with my own vehicles -- Stellar tires for the conditions; speeds suitable for conditions; liberal use of emergency flasher lighting, when conditions are bad; a bare minimum of lane changing (as much for everyone else as for me); plenty of space maintained between me and the car ahead of me; refusal to allow tailgaters to remain on my tail; plenty of braking time, easing into it if the conditions are sketchy (ie, slush, ice).

That fool in the video was going 2x the reasonable speed in that situation, and quite likely didn't have good snow/ice-capable tires on that rig. In my area, while we rarely get more than a couple inches on the ground at a time, it can get bitterly cold, and there is often minor to moderate icing on the roads. I'd estimate that ~80-90% of cars on the road, over the winter, just have their normal tires on. And so, lots of cars end up plowing into the next car ahead, ending up losing control and side-swiping others or ending up in ditches. Dumb. And close to 100% avoidable.

Some years back, I had a VW Passat 2.8L 4Motion/AWD. Had a second set of rims/tires. Always great winter tires (ie, Nokian Hakkas, or Dunlop SP Winter Sport). The tires, plus my highly-defensive and -cautious winter driving approach has saved my bacon on more than a few occasions.

Yep, all-seasons are a poor substitute in slippery winter driving conditions. I've caught myself driving on icy back roads in the early dark morning hours for miles without realizing it a few times.