Why are MSP's such crap in the snow?? (not tires)

[nickbachman]

After driving my MSP with the stock tires on in the snow, I quickly came to the realization that those tires are absolutely worthless in the white stuff. So I went out and bought some all seasons. I hadn't gotten a chance to test them out in the snow until today. Sad to say I only noticed about a 5-10% difference over the stock tires. I can get NO snow traction in ANY gear with my MSP. Why is traction in snow unattainable even with all season tires?

 

[jersey_emt]

Snow traction is 0 with the stock tires because they are SUMMER TIRES and are not meant for cold weather or snow.

All-seasons are always a compromise....and a lot of the 'high performance' all seasons are pretty bad in the snow (but still better than the stock tires)

My suggestion is to do what nearly everyone else does: get a set of cheap 15" wheels with SNOW tires for the winter season.

 

[jersey_emt]

My MSP with snow tires has no problems at all in the snow. In fact, there is a fairly steep hill near my house, that this 4WD SUV was having trouble getting up. He was not able to get even 1/3 of the way up the hill.

I got up it with no drama at all. The look on his face as I passed him in a CAR was priceless.

 

[DistantTea]

Tires make the car. Why do you think its such a big deal in motorsports. Anyone who needs to do serious snow driving needs to invest in some 15" steelies and snows... even cheap snows. Its amazing what tire manufactures are getting away with calling their tires all season. The Falken Ziex 512 are rated all season... HOW? its a summer tire through and through but some poor shmoe is going to buy those and take his mustang out in the snow and its off to bobsled land for him. Tire ratings are virtually worthless in the high performance all season category.

 

[SP33D]

yea when i got my pirelli winter ice tires put on.. it was almost like the snow wasn't even there.

 

[mbiker97]

It's not the car it's the tires. All seasons are crap in the snow. Get some real snow tires.

 

[NJMAZDASPEED]

I got P5 wheels with semprit 205/50/16 H rated snows here and there great in the snow. Even fairly good on dry roads for snow tires.

 

[03MSP]

I have goodyear ultra grip ice tires on 15" steelies, they work fine for me.

Steelies are only ~35 bucks a piece, get them and some SNOW tires. Swapping sets of rims is easy, takes about 15-20 minutes at the most.

 

[MP5driva03]

I have a set of Pirelli P7000's on my MP5, and those things are pretty damn good for some "all-season" tires. They work incredibly well in the snow - much better than I originally anticipated.

 

[Swerny]

Alllseason tires do nothing well, what they do the worst is provide snow traction.
Snow tires are the only way to go with the MSP if you live in the snow belt.

 

[nks_bb]

Just got my snow put on for today, It'll probably never snow again but it's worth it. Plus with all the little rocks still left over on the roads from the winter, 'm saving the life of my racing harts.

Tires make a big difference, I've heard of RWD Volvo's on snows towing 4x4 SUV's on A/S uphill. And as far as I know the right tires can improve your 1/4 mile time and shave a few seconds off your time around a track.

Don't blame the car man, blame the tires.

 

[nickbachman]

Don't drive your MSP in the snow! Why ruin a nice car. Its a well balanced machine, not meant for harsh winter duty.

alright bud. you buy me a winter car, k? (pow)

i guess i was just under the misunderstanding that the term "all season" meant all season. too late now i spose, as i dont plan on throwing even more money into new wheels AND snow tires. i'll just drive like a granny i spose.

 

[jersey_emt]

Just be careful for this season, then buy some winter wheels and tires next season.

Keep the all-seasons you have and swap them out for the stock front tires when you go to the track. No reason to wear out your expensive Potenzas @ the track.

 

[nks_bb]

Don't drive your MSP in the snow! Why ruin a nice car. Its a well balanced machine, not meant for harsh winter duty.

QUOTE]


You know I thought about that.........and it is only a 20K car and it's still a Protege, so, for me anyways, it'll go on the snow (canada) . AND...................i don't have a choice no $$$$

 

[nickbachman]

thanks jersey emt. i shouldnt have much of a problem with snow this season. this was just a freak snowfall. i was just baffled as to why all season tires weren't helping, and now i know. on a funny note about how you spoke about the "expensive potenzas," when i got my tires put on at tires plus, they weren't going to give me my old tires back. they have almost no wear. after i payed, i was like "dont i get my old tires back?" and the fat guy behind the counter says, in a snide tone as if i'm way outta line, "do you want them back?" ...duh. no sir, please keep and sell my expensive potenzas with no wear for 150 a piece. please.(pow)

 

[NJMAZDASPEED]

Don't drive your MSP in the snow! Why ruin a nice car. Its a well balanced machine, not meant for harsh winter duty.

QUOTE]


You know I thought about that.........and it is only a 20K car and it's still a Protege, so, for me anyways, it'll go on the snow (canada) . AND...................i don't have a choice no $$$$

PREACH ON BROTHER!!

 

[roni]

snow tires.
i have 15" steelies and michelin alpins.

wtf. nj is pissing me off. isn't it almost spring? i took mine off last week and now today's snow is driving me nuts.

 

[jersey_emt]

snow tires.
i have 15" steelies and michelin alpins.

wtf. nj is pissing me off. isn't it almost spring? i took mine off last week and now today's snow is driving me nuts.

Tell me about it. I took mine off the beginning of march because it started to get warm, thinking snow was over, and then last week it decided to snow again.

And more snow today.

And some more on Friday.

So I had to put the snow tires back on...then I'm going to have to switch back to the stock ones AGAIN in a week or two.

 

[Damaga]

Nickbachman:
what brand of all-season did you get? usually, all-season tires are "decent" in snow the 1st year (for city driving of course).

I personnaly have Dunlop Graspics and they are amazing in the snow! and at 54$ a tire, it's a steal...

 

[roni]

my tires are really quite good in the snow, but on dry ground i repeatedly spin tires. my motor mounts and lsd will be in well before next winter to help compensate. personally, i hate the look of steelies, but my car is waaay too important to risk more than 15 minutes of snow driving with my parada spec-2s on.

Tell me about it. I took mine off the beginning of march because it started to get warm, thinking snow was over, and then last week it decided to snow again.

And more snow today.

And some more on Friday.

So I had to put the snow tires back on...then I'm going to have to switch back to the stock ones AGAIN in a week or two.