(appreciation is prob better topic) So today i decided to test my brakes+tires+ABS in the snow in a safe environment without other cars or objects (important) Having driven my Mazda 5 with the ultimetly fail Falkens for 3 years and a car with no driving assists/aid (no Traction control or dynamic control) I have learnt how to activate my ABS whenever I need it and how to brake properly in event of snow. So what I have found out from my GLK's Pirellis and Traction Control is that it shortens the braking distance with ABS (or its simply better tires) and with the 4Matic system, I have been able to get through without swerving at all, with no problems going up inclines and slopes. My Mazda 5 in snow = right bias steering in small roads and goes straight instead of turning with my wheel on fresh flat snow sometimes. It is definitely better to have an all time awd than pre-emptive/pro-active AWD!
Being in collision reconstruction, I can say that traction (a combo of winter tires and AWD) as well as speed are vital to safety. Newton's laws of physics can only be pushed so far. Too fast and the tires and drive are irrelevant. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
yeah, i'll definitely grab winter tires when I move to a bigger place. I simply dont have the storage to do so, so i use quality all-seasons (having learnt from using crappy all-seasons to crap) But man, its been a while that snow has felt drivable in.
I have winter tyres on my yaris now and yesterday, it did fine without a problem. But that's vancouver. If I have money, I will definately get a c300 or glk 4matic or rdx.
Man I need new tires. Got 34,000 miles on the car now and still on the original tires. They're not fully worn down yet but wet weather traction has decreased a lot. Gonna change at 36,000 miles to ContiExtremeContact DWS since those are supposed to be good all-seasons that do well in the snow.
yah DWS +1 34k miles on OEMs are like already amazing, they usually last 20! lol DWS doesnt come in SUV sizes tho so watch out =p
NOTE! I apologize ahead of time for this extremely long post, but it is good knowledge to have. Having worked for 2 different tire companies, I will go ahead and give myself the title of "tire expert". That being said... ...in the first year ALONE, high-end all-season tires are roughly the equivalent at only 60% of high-end winter tires. The theory behind it is simple: they use a summer compound, which is slightly hardened and shaped/treaded in the format of a winter tire. Winter tires are supposed to have a rigid yet spongy compound with many deep micro-trenches. What these do: under pressure of the cars weight (talking about the part of the tire touching the ground now - contact surface) the "trenches" create a suction that remove water from the surface long enough for the larger gaps in the rubber to grab the road (or what ever is on it). The best example I can give you to try a test is to take some regular running shoes (Indoor soccer shoes have what would be best compared to summer tires) and take a run on a skating rink, then remove the shoes and take a run in your socks, the socks will absorb the water and you'll have better traction. As time progresses, the gap between all-season tires and winter tires widens as follows: 1st winter season: AS = 60% of WT 2nd winter season: AS =30% of WT 3rd winter season = don't even try it... ...you've been driving the same tires for 8 seasons now and that's generally what is recommended as life span for tires. Which is why I severely put emphasis on having GOOD winter tires and GOOD summer tires. While having 2 sets of tires does cost double the price, using them for roughly half a year at a time, makes them last twice as long as having only AS tires. Shortly put: Winter + Summer tires lasts 4 years; All-Season tires lasts 2 years. Add to that the fact the both your sets of tires have NO compromise for the "other" season, and you've got yourself MORE than enough reasons to go for the 2 set option. Only disadvantages: -You either have to get them changed every year, or buy a set of steelies for the winters. -You need room to store the currently unused set. I recommend these as winter tires: Goodyear Ultra Grip Summer tires are such a personal choice based on car, desire, driving and price that I'm not recommending anything but I'm stating that I run Toyo RA-1 in 255/40R17 on my FD RX-7. I hope this helps someone. [/ rant]
Joey, problem is for me, I work in construction so I have to drive off-road quite often so all-season tires year-round is a must have for me.
