My Steel Rim, Snow Tire and TPSM Selection

[cravatts]

This pertains to my 2011 Mazda 2. YMMV

If you are finding that the ABS being on is awful like I did, simply remove the only green 30Amp fuse in the panel. This disables both traction control and ABS. I put the fuse back "backwards", as an easy reminder if I ever need it disabled in a pinch.

I decided to purchase separate steel rims such I don't have to have the do two changes a year. I wanted direct fit rims, those that have the proper offset and 4 holes, for direct fit onto my car. I didn't want to have to use hub bushings, or end up with a rim with a million holes. 1010tires had exactly what I needed:

Winter Rims Direct Fit (New) (Painted/Black) Wheels 15" x 6" 4/100 45 54.10 ITEM #H69448am which cost me $72.49 each + Shipping​

I already swapped out the OEM lugbolts with ones that are slightly deeper, so my replacement chromed lug bolts work. I'm not sure if the OEM bolts would have been able to turn down far enough to tighten up. Yes, it looks odd using chrome lug bolts, but keeps things simple. My plan is to bolt on my snows on a as-need basis.

Sensors: Even though I could have lived without them, it certainly is nice if I could find them inexpensive enough and retain what I believe is a very nice feature.
I ordered my sensors from RockAuto:

DORMAN 974028 (974-028) Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Sensor which cost me $27.79 each + Shipping​

Because our car doesn't differentiate between which tire is low in pressure, these amazingly and simply plugged and played without having to do anything fancy. I was pleasantly surprised. The only thing I did do after reading the forums, was to turn the ignition on and then to lock before mounting my snows. The forums mention waiting at least 15 minutes after doing this before starting the car and driving. It took me about this amount of time to un-mount/mount my snows. The next time I swap them out, I'll try not doing this procedure and see if the warning light flashes.

Tire size: Our OEM tire size is sort of odd. Both for my all season and winters, I have snapped to a "Plus 0" size tire, specifically 195/55R15's.

The snow tire that I stumbled across is unusual, Vredesten Snowtrac3's. They have directional tread and suppose to be quiet on the road. I've only driven twice around the block twice so far, no real testing. They are made in the Netherlands and cost me $210 for the pair + Free Shipping from Ebay.

Sidenote for those curious: I'm very please with my all season radial that I purhcased to replace the OEM tires: Kumho 195/55R15 ECSTA PA31 85V BSW. Four of them set my back $260.36 including shipping from TreadDepot.com. They have direction tread. They are great on dry pavement and wonderful in the rain(IMHO, much better than OEM), but at least with the Mazda 2(too light/not enough weight over front wheels), not very good in the snow.

 

[dRem]

Did you only get 2 snow tires? That's a recipe for disaster.

 

[ScorpioGTX1]

I have also found the ABS to be terrible on snow. I disabled it a few months ago and the improvement in braking distance is significant. The other nice thing is that it also automatically disables DSC, so I don't have to turn it off every time I get into the car.

 

[flatlander937]

ABS is fine. You just need to modulate the brake. It will only pulse wheels after they've lost traction. ABS can modulate a single wheel if its locked up. Your foot cannot.

<--- zero problems

 

[deadlydave]

ABS is fine. You just need to modulate the brake. It will only pulse wheels after they've lost traction. ABS can modulate a single wheel if its locked up. Your foot cannot.
<--- zero problems

I haven't had a problem with ABS intervention on my car either--though a case can be made for absolute stopping distance being shorter without it in the snow.

Did you only get 2 snow tires? That's a recipe for disaster.

For novice drivers, certainly. For everyone else it's a personal preference. I expect my car to do a certain behavior, given circumstances and inputs, every time. Snows up front and stock tires in back make my car behave how I want/expect in foul weather--not like a pig.

 

[c7scayman]

I also have issues with ABS in snow. ABS also bothers me when I drive over bumps. Even the smallest bumps or ripples in the road activate my ABS. I drove a non-ABS, non traction control 1.5L 1996 Mazda Protege for 8 years and felt it was easier to drive and stop. It weighed about the same as my Mazda 2 at 2378 lbs but it had a slightly longer wheelbase. My legs are conditioned for non-ABS cars.

When removing the fuse, does the ABS light or TSC light come on?

As for snow tires, I think tirerack sells Blizzaks now for our Mazda 2. That is the best snow tire you can get. I plan to buy them soon and I will plastidip my black steel wheels under the wheel covers to protect them from rust and salt corrosion. The flat black plastidip won't even be noticeable since the steel rim is already flat black in color.