QUESTION: How is Mazda3 Snow Performance

[lumlum83]

QUESTION: How is Mazda3 Snow Performance?

Hello. I am from Vancouver, BC Canada. I bought my Mazda 3 (2.3L, GFX), so it comes with the original 17" alloy wheels. I have NOT driven this car on the snow before. I want to know if any of you know how does Mazda 3 performs on snow, especially with its originally 17" alloy wheels..

Also, I got one more question. Do the cars (Not the jeeps or the four-wheel-drive ones!) with large wheels have more problems than the cars with small wheels when driving on snow? In this case, it would be: will Mazda 3 with 17" wheels have more problems when driving on snow? Will it be ok if I drive the mazda 3 on approximately 2cm of snow? How about 4cm or more of snow?

Thank you for your help. Please reply me as soon as possible.

 

[Brian MP5T]

You get snow in Vancover?

 

[lumlum83]

not yet...but there will be snow in Vancouver soon. So I want to ask you guys these questions before snow comes. Can you guys please help me??

 

[Brian MP5T]

Probably just as good as any other small car. If you are worried about it, why not get winter rims and some winter rubber...

 

[lumlum83]

Can I hear more replies from others??

 

[wongpres]

For Vancouver, going with snow or not depends on your usage. For example, if you go to Whistler, then snows are probably recommended (there was a BC review last year where they took it to Whistler and complained about the 17's). On the other hand, if you're only in Vancouver and can have alternate arrangements in the rare case of accumulation then you're probably ok without snows.

I've got snows on mine now (in Toronto) - the 17's are pretty inadequate with any snow accumulation.

 

[lumlum83]

What do you mean by "the 17's are pretty inadequate with any snow accumulation"??

So even if I drive on 2cm of snow, the mazda 3 will not have good control or even get stucked in the snow, especially on the steep road?? Is that what you mean?

 

[wongpres]

Since you PM'd me with more questions, I PM'd you back.

But I'll add a little winter tire 101 here.

There are two properties that makes winter tires perform better in winter conditions:

- tons of sipes in the tread (small slits in the tread) for snow traction
- a special soft compound that remains flexible in cold temps

First off, the stock Mazda3 17-inch Goodyear's have none of these attributes. Some better winter performing all-seasons will have some sipes, but still nowhere near as much as on a winter tire.

However, it's exactly these 2 attributes that hurt warm weather performance (sipes) and durability (soft compound). Hence winter tires will wear insanely fast and have poor performance if you leave them on during summer.

There are also important differences between winter tires. In fact, most tire brands (and all the name brands) have two primary choices for winter - a lower speed rated winter tire (typically Q-rated), and a higher speed rated winter tire (typically H or V-rated). The lower speed rated tire is typically be better in the snow, whereas the higher speed rated winter has better winter handling (primarily for those in cities where roads get shovelled frequently).

So, this is something to keep in mind for those shopping for appropriate winter tires.

 

[Brian MP5T]

Get Winter Rubber!

 

[lumlum83]

oh...Thank you so much for the detailed information!!!

 

[Brian MP5T]

oh...Thank you so much for the detailed information!!!

I'm sorry to be so blunt. You are obviously concerned with your safety. So why not stop worring about it and just get the tires. It will be better for the rims and your piece of mind...

 

[kid_ding]

I live in Winterpeg (Winnipeg). Just get some decent winter tires and you'll be fine. You live in BC, I have more snow on my driveway than you do on all your roads. Haha.

 

[lumlum83]

hum~

 

[lumlum83]

hum...
It seems that it is kinda impossible to drive the mazda 3 (with 17" wheel and the original GOODYEAR tires) even on little snow...like 2cm snow...in Vancouver. >.<

 

[Sethlan]

Finally snowing here.

I have 16 inch rims with toyo garit-ht winter tires on my 3....

It seems to grip the road really well.... but then again my last car was rear wheel drive....

 

[Da 6]

yeah mustang owners hate the snow where us fwd cars can just pull in and back out of what they cant. I'm getting some tyres as well. basicly get some steelies and throw rubber on them unless you wanna be blinging in the snow.

 

[Mikey444]

Basically take it from me, the 17's are dangerous in the snow. Take it from someone that has had bad experience with em.

 

[Da 6]

Basically take it from me, the 17's are dangerous in the snow. Take it from someone that has had bad experience with em.

Be advised the above poster (Mikey444) has a 3 as well...