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Old 11-26-2006, 06:33 PM   #1
04luchini
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Default Summer tires in the snow

I have BF goodrick K/W summer tires and its snowing right now. Could I still drive with these on or would they be useless in the snow?
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Old 11-26-2006, 06:40 PM   #2
o2sys
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i wouldnt but is fun but frustrating at the same time and very dangerous

and where are u that you got snow already? i cant wait to snow here
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Old 11-26-2006, 06:50 PM   #3
04luchini
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Seattle, WA. I just tried driving up and down the block. Its easy to get sideways. Tried to make a U turn and the whole back end just kind of fishtailed while the front stayed stationary for the most part. Takes a lil longer to come to a complete stop. All this was at less then 10MPH. If it continues like this I dont think Im going to work tomorrow.
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Old 11-26-2006, 06:59 PM   #4
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I just finished a drive up from Mt Bachelor to Edmonds via Highway 26 which was fully covered with snow from ~80 miles south of Govt Camp all the way to just south of Sandy. I would NEVER have been able to make it home on summer tires nor would I attempt it. I'm running Hankook Icebear w300 or something like that and can honestly recommend them for compact snow and slush. I didn't test their ice grip much, nor did I want to.

I have heard of people trying to run those BFs in Alaska on the snow and hating them. Do not put yourself in a position where you have to run them on snow. Do the smart thing.
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Old 11-26-2006, 09:10 PM   #5
wundej
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Any tire that is designated as a summer tire shouldn't be run in the winter. Summer tires are usually made from compounds that become harder and lose grip when the temps approach and drop below freezing. The tread generally is patterned in larger blocks which doesn't do anything for grip in the snow. So combine the poor tread pattern for snow/slush with the wrong rubber compound for that temp and you are setting yourself up for a head on collision with that tree.

It's not worth it, don't try it...even at 10mph you could easily end up sliding into a curb, parked car, etc.
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Old 11-26-2006, 09:24 PM   #6
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I wouldnt try it via previous experience with summer tires in snow.
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Old 11-26-2006, 09:44 PM   #7
tealdub
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summer tires = summer only
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Old 11-26-2006, 09:51 PM   #8
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If you only have one set of wheels I recommend Hankook Ventus V4ES. You sacrifice some sidewall stiffness but maintain pretty good grip dry/wet. Treadwear is also awesome compared to most.
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Old 11-26-2006, 10:19 PM   #9
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Drive to a Discount Tire or something and get some snow tires tomorrow, you don't have any other choice. But think of it this way, you'll spend at least your $500 deductible if you get in a wreck, might as well spend that one some tires instead.
You could call around first thing in the morning and check stock and set an appointment, be in and out in less than an hour. I suggest Discount Tire because they actually torque your lugs on, not just hammer them with an air gun, and have decent prices.
Good luck, let us know what you get.
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Old 11-26-2006, 11:46 PM   #10
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I live on Whidbey Island and am enjoying the same snow as the rest of the greater Seattle area. Due to a road hazzard I encountered last week, I killed one of my Pzero Nero M+S and had to put my summer Goodyear F1s back on. Miserable in the snow!!! I have some Proxes4 showing up at the local Les Schwab tomorrow. Like the others have said - summer tires are NOT for snow. My car is parked down the street. Driveway is too steep to take a chance. David
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Old 11-27-2006, 08:18 AM   #11
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No.

Bad.
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Old 11-27-2006, 09:55 AM   #12
Boxologist
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Question

Quote:
Originally Posted by 04luchini View Post
I have BF goodrick K/W summer tires and its snowing right now. Could I still drive with these on or would they be useless in the snow?
Do u have a reading disability?

Does it snow in the summer?
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Old 11-27-2006, 03:32 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by supermarkus View Post
I just finished a drive up from Mt Bachelor to Edmonds via Highway 26 which was fully covered with snow from ~80 miles south of Govt Camp all the way to just south of Sandy. I would NEVER have been able to make it home on summer tires nor would I attempt it. I'm running Hankook Icebear w300 or something like that and can honestly recommend them for compact snow and slush. I didn't test their ice grip much, nor did I want to.

I have heard of people trying to run those BFs in Alaska on the snow and hating them. Do not put yourself in a position where you have to run them on snow. Do the smart thing.
Bet I know where ya got those Hankooks. Just picked up a set this morning at your friendly neighborhood tire shop. Haven't got to test them much, but the drive home was much easier than the drive to the shop. And that was on some PZero Neros with 20K+ miles on them. Not exactly 'summer' tires but still too squirrely for my taste.
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Old 11-27-2006, 03:34 PM   #14
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Sure you can drive and go straight .... but you won't be able to brake, or turn at all
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Old 11-27-2006, 08:25 PM   #15
kcook
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sounds pretty dangerous. 10mph and its hard to stop and turn? i wouldnt drive at all dude
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Old 11-27-2006, 09:01 PM   #16
IIdiceII
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its not just the snow...below certain temps the tires wont heat up...its like driving on bare rims...you really shouldnt drive in the snow with summers or even in cold temps.

at least get some all-seasons.
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Old 11-29-2006, 01:05 AM   #17
snwman
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I drove in this nasty snowy weather last night on bridgestone RE-01R's and I put on some hankook w300's today if that says anything...

The rubber compound of a summer tire get extremely hard in below freezing temps.
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Old 11-29-2006, 01:11 AM   #18
littlewhitewagon
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Don't do it...at least get some cheap all season tires. That is how I ate a curb with my Civic in Alaska.
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Old 11-29-2006, 01:27 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rev1 View Post
Sure you can drive and go straight .... but you won't be able to brake, or turn at all
learned that real quick..granted i could adapt, its not worth the risk in an emergency situation, be stupid to total ur car just cause u were didnt wanna spend the money to buy snow tires
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Old 11-29-2006, 05:28 AM   #20
Mohaj
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I made the mistake of not getting my stock wheels with the Yoko IG721's put on last Friday. Didn't want to wait the 3 hrs Discount Tire was telling me it would take to switch them out, just figured I'd take the girlfriends Jeep up to Stevens Pass that Sunday instead of my car. Well, I had to work Monday night and I still had Kuhmo Ecsta SPT's on my car. Tuesday morning @ 6am I had to drive from Seattle to Issaquah after being at work all night. All I have to say is I will never do that again. After getting off I-90 at W. Lake Sammish Pkwy I didn't even bother to try take my car out of 1st gear, didn't want to become one of those casualties off in the ditch.
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Old 11-29-2006, 07:31 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mohaj View Post
I still had Kuhmo Ecsta SPT's on my car.
I tried those in the snow with the same results as you. I have since gone to the Yoko Advan S4 and they give up nothing to the Kumhos in dry traction performance. Not sure how good they'll will be in the snow but I have a set of Blizzak LM-25s mounted on my stock wheels in case I have the need.

I have some more info on the Advan S4 here.
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Old 11-30-2006, 01:45 PM   #22
woody77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mohaj View Post
I made the mistake of not getting my stock wheels with the Yoko IG721's put on last Friday. Didn't want to wait the 3 hrs Discount Tire was telling me it would take to switch them out, just figured I'd take the girlfriends Jeep up to Stevens Pass that Sunday instead of my car. Well, I had to work Monday night and I still had Kuhmo Ecsta SPT's on my car. Tuesday morning @ 6am I had to drive from Seattle to Issaquah after being at work all night. All I have to say is I will never do that again. After getting off I-90 at W. Lake Sammish Pkwy I didn't even bother to try take my car out of 1st gear, didn't want to become one of those casualties off in the ditch.
You'd have been better off in 2nd at the same speeds. Less chance of engine braking torque locking up the tires on ice (it's a really not-fun feeling). In the nasty weather like that, I try to keep it in the highest gear that I can (just off idle, maybe 1500-2000rpm at the top). The engine has no HP there, and the chassis is hard to disturb with throttle inputs. And if you have a wrx, with the low compression of the engine, you get far less engine braking any way).

Also, the clutch can be your friend in a slide. SOOOO much nicer than any automatic on ice (just put in the clutch before trying to stop, vs. always having the tranny pushing on the tires).
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Old 11-30-2006, 02:03 PM   #23
bWRX
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For people who would actually use the search function, I'd say, never drive on summer tires in snow or wintery conditions. The tire compounds that make excellent grip in warm weather on a dry surface simply don't provide enough traction for safe operation on a public road when the temperature is below freezing, especially if there is any precipitation on the ground.

For people who might be too lazy or dysfunctional to search, but who would still quickly scan a forum they are about to post in to see if there might be another thread there discussing the same topic, I would say no, don't drive on summer tires if there is snow on the ground unless you are absolutely going to die if you don't, not safe, will result in car damage.

For you, I say, what the hell! Go for it! It'll be fun!
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Old 11-30-2006, 04:52 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bWRX View Post
For people who would actually use the search function, I'd say, never drive on summer tires in snow or wintery conditions. The tire compounds that make excellent grip in warm weather on a dry surface simply don't provide enough traction for safe operation on a public road when the temperature is below freezing, especially if there is any precipitation on the ground.

For people who might be too lazy or dysfunctional to search, but who would still quickly scan a forum they are about to post in to see if there might be another thread there discussing the same topic, I would say no, don't drive on summer tires if there is snow on the ground unless you are absolutely going to die if you don't, not safe, will result in car damage.

For you, I say, what the hell! Go for it! It'll be fun!
Agreed! You can practice drifting at 5 MPH!
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