First time in the snow with a 06 MS6!

[TexasSpeed]

Just moved to Michigan from Texas last month. We got whacked by a big snowstorm last weekend, and I got to drive my MS6 in the snow for the first time. I just have all-season rubber, but the car handles pretty good. I must admit that I am absolutely hooked on rotating and sliding. It's so surreal that something so heavy can pivot so easily.

My wife thinks I'm juvenile and my kids are petrified to drive with me now. It's just amazing to me what happens when a vehicle that depends on friction for locomotion encounters a frictionless surface.

I spoke to a tire guy about snow tires but he told me not to waste my money... the all-seasons are fine.

 

[04gixx6]

Glad you're having fun with the car, I had all seasons on mine and went through 9" just fine with mine!

 

[joka1]

All seasons are ok, They will get you where you need to go. I grew up in upstate NY and got anywhere I needed to go in a Ford Probe GT, No problems ever on all seasons. Just don't get cocky, it is not always you, but the other drivers to fear I love driving in the snow when I am alone , just realize the car coming towards you at 50 MPH may have bald ass tires and can't control s***. With you coming from Texas, realize the above fact and realize you are still new to snow. Be safe

Rob

 

[KrGsMrNKusinagi]

sounds fun.. dont scare your kids

 

[kahmikahze]

yeah. the whole safety thing is paramount. But the feeling of a controlled temporary loss of control is awesome. I try to experience it as often as possible.

 

[chromal]

I spoke to a tire guy about snow tires but he told me not to waste my money... the all-seasons are fine.

It's statements like that one that make me realize supposed automotive professionals talk out their arse.

You should seriously consider the investment in winter tires, *ESPECIALLY* if you lack a decade or two of winter driving experience, IMO. It seems like a lot of people in the midwest do without winters, and maybe they can get away with it living someone as flat as a tabletop, but if I were you, I'd want to have the most grip of all the cars around me. It's a control thing. On a related note, for $93/tire, the Hankook Winter i*cept evo 205/55R16s are awesome.

Going without winters where *I* live in the Rocky Mountains is another way of putting "I have a death wish." Once you're actually on a grade, all-seasons are typically full of fail on the snow and ice.

 

[kahmikahze]

I have all seasons, and I do just fine. Then again, it is North Dakota, it's flatter than a (insert pedobear joke here).

 

[TexasSpeed]

Thanks everyone for the comments and advice. I want to reassure you that I am only goofing off when the streets are empty. I am definitely worried about the other drivers, even though I have less experience on snow. There were a lot of cars in the ditch along I-94 the past week.

I'm still considering the snow tires. What is weird is that both the Mazda dealer and an independent tire shop told me to stick with all-seasons. I guess we'll see how the winter plays out... this part of Michigan (Ann Arbor) supposedly doesn't get much snow.

 

[solidtrance]

Most shops don't even stock snow tires anymore. It's no wonder that they don't recomend them. They are right and wrong. As has been mentioned already here, all seasons willl be okay in 8/10 ths of all situations you may get into. If you are confronted with a panic breaking situation (caused by another driver) you will have a lot more control with all season tires. The tread design is different on snow tires and the difference allows the tires to grip snow and semi icy roads better, but the MAJOR difference is in the composition of the rubber. Snow/Winter tires are made of rubber that reacts to cold temps better. They stay soft and will grip in much colder weather. This is the major advantage. The tread difference is nice too, but tread is not going to do anything if the tires turn to blocks of ice (basically what happens with summer and to a lesser extent A/S tires).

Believe it or not, My RX8 is easier to drive in the snow and ice (with snow tires), than my MS6 is (with A/S tires). Of course if there is more than 3 or 4 inches then clearance issues change things quite a bit.

If you can find a set cheap then I would say go for it. If not, you should be fine.

Edit: senior moment.

 

[Focus]

1 simple question, is messing with your life and that of your children not worth a $400 investment in winter tires. You are in michigan and not in Texas anymore and guess what, you will see a lot more snow.

Ann Arbor typically has a Midwestern humid continental seasonal climate, which is influenced by the Great Lakes. There are four distinct seasons; winters are cold with moderate to heavy snowfall, while summers can be warm and humid. Snowfall, which normally occurs from November to April, ranges from 1 to 10 inches (2.5 to 25 cm) per month. The highest recorded temperature was 105 F (41 C) on July 24, 1934, and the lowest recorded temperature was −22 F (−30.0 C) on January 19, 1994.[37]

 

[keymaster]

Now, to be fair, all seasons can work out just fine. I lived in Iowa for four years, and only used all seasons on my cars without any problems, including driving through some serious weather...though, to be fair, I did learn to drive in Utah and got through some blizzards in my old Camaro and Celica (both RWD and on all seasons) so I am probably above average in the ability to handle driving in the snow.

If the weather is bad enough, even snow tires are not going to keep you from getting into trouble, and they won't stop you from pushing the limits too far and putting yourself into a dangerous situation. You have to know and respect the limits, of you and your car, and when it doesn't look safe to drive out, or to go down a road, don't.

 

[flyinspeed6]

It's just like having a suv. I love it

 

[solidtrance]

Got mine stuck briefly at the end of the driveway this AM. A few min with a shovel fixed the problem. Not enough clearance to get through the pile left by the snow plows.

 

[BigWave]

Now, to be fair, all seasons can work out just fine. I lived in Iowa for four years, and only used all seasons on my cars without any problems, including driving through some serious weather...though, to be fair, I did learn to drive in Utah and got through some blizzards in my old Camaro and Celica (both RWD and on all seasons) so I am probably above average in the ability to handle driving in the snow.

Having never been to Utah or Iowa, is there a lot of hills and snowfall there?

If the weather is bad enough, even snow tires are not going to keep you from getting into trouble, and they won't stop you from pushing the limits too far and putting yourself into a dangerous situation. You have to know and respect the limits, of you and your car, and when it doesn't look safe to drive out, or to go down a road, don't.

The only thing that'll really stop you from getting out of control is you. If people take the precaution and preparation to get decently matched tires to their habits and their vehicle, then they might get a little zesty.

I do completely agree that sometimes you just have to stay inside... or at least park the car and just bring the Sled out..

 

[BigWave]

1 simple question, is messing with your life and that of your children not worth a $400 investment in winter tires. You are in michigan and not in Texas anymore and guess what, you will see a lot more snow.

Listen to this man!

I'm on my first set of Winter tires and the difference is noticeably moar awesome.

And how about this for the "safety" of all British Columbians.

ICBC, aka the Insurance Corp of British Columbia, recently mailed out a notice to all BC Drivers that if you're in an accident without snow/winter tires, then you're 100% at fault. No snow needed - just the "winter season" time frame.

How's this for a winter - it was +7 C when I left work @ 3 AM!

 

[kahmikahze]

How's this for a winter - it was +7 C when I left work @ 3 AM!

that's nothing.

It's regularly colder in the center (or "centre", if you will) of the continent during the winter.... Up to -40 F with windchill and 30-50 mph gusts.

 

[TexasSpeed]

Hey that's actually pretty cold when you factor in the exchange rate

 

[OJ Bartley]

I've seen some pretty hairy winters here in Toronto, and let me tell you... my first winter in the Speed was the first time I had ever invested in full winter tires and I felt MUCH more secure. I slid less, felt better traction, and was generally less at the mercy of the elements. With that said, nothing will grip on ice, and if you really want to get sideways by mashing the gas you still can (and I still do) but it will be a better and safer winter driving experience for you and your family.

The other benefit is that by having 2 sets of tires you'll wear through them less frequently, and have a set that is better suited for all conditions when you have them on the car.

 

[freekwonder]

First winter without my MS6 and I'm definitely missing the AWD. Are snow tires NEEDED? No, but HIGHLY recommended. Like somebody else said is your families life worth saving the $400. And when you think about it those snow tires help you extend the life of the expensive good tires for the summer. I did a a couple winters here in Kansas City with summer only tires, and a winter with all season. There was more confidence in the a/s, but more fun in the summer only.