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Old 05-09-2001, 12:59 AM   #1
myko011
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Post What's the rule with AWD and the snow?

Do we need chains?
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Old 05-09-2001, 01:20 AM   #2
ChosenWon
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The rule:

<FONT size="4">Rule# 27! If you cannot do full slides, and drifts, while creating 4 rooster tails,your not really using your AWD potential.</FONT s>

^SubieGal style

[This message has been edited by ChosenWon (edited May 09, 2001).]
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Old 05-09-2001, 03:01 AM   #3
OldWRXr
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Talking

Chains? Yeah, and whips & masks too!!
The best is being at a stop & nailing the throttle. It'll be Tuesday before anyone else catches up!
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Old 05-09-2001, 04:26 AM   #4
orbit03
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Talking about snow already?!? It's only May?!?

Anyway, my rule is the use of four studded Hakkapaelitta snow tires. They make you stop, turn, and go MUCH better. I was told by my local tire guy that they have a Hakka 2 coming this winter. It is supposed to be kinda of like the Hakka 1 but with more sipes and a little bit different tread pattern, but still studdable. Sweet...


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Old 05-09-2001, 04:33 AM   #5
Star*Child
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I saw a sign recently going over the mountain pass to the effect of:

When chains required, all wheel drive vehicles need only approved snow tires.

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Old 05-09-2001, 04:38 AM   #6
KC
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Go THAT way real fast.

If you see a tree... turn.

Just get a set of legitimate snow tires and put them on separate rims and you won't need chains on an AWD vehicle.

--kC
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Old 05-09-2001, 05:01 AM   #7
pottsie350
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It's so frustrating being stuck behind somebody going slow in the snow. I got a set of cheap steal wheels with cheap dunlop snow tires. I wish I hadn't got the dunlops.. the sidewalls are way too soft. I know snow tires are supposed to flex a little bit, but come on.

Orbit03, How are the sidewalls on the Nokian Hakkas? How much do they run?
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Old 05-09-2001, 06:00 AM   #8
BJamerican
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Exclamation

The Rule: You must slam the accelerator when pulling out from a stop every time there is snow on the road. Unless all four wheels are spinning, you're not having any fun!

It never fails - I always end up driving behind some little Cavalier after heavy snow! Nearly every time I went skiing this year I was forced to drive 10MPH for miles in my AWD Subie cuz some Cavalier in front of me was slipping everywhere through the snow drifts. It's such a shame, cuz these curvy mountain roads are always covered with blowing snow. After this winter, I swore I would never drive a FWD vehicle again! AWD for life!
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Old 05-09-2001, 06:08 AM   #9
subarurabbit
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Just went to the website and it said hakka 2s not available in North America.

Roger
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Old 05-09-2001, 06:16 AM   #10
Subie Gal
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Hakka 1's work well...

<IMG SRC="http://www.subiegal.com/IMAGES/Buttons/jamie.jpg" border=0>

<IMG SRC="http://www.subiegal.com/images/TBird/Ice%20Racing/Subie%20Gal2.jpg" border=0>

chains...
consult owners manual... i believe they are not recommended for our cars... if you HAVE to chain up, it will be rears only i believe... read ya manual...

and above all.. keep it sidewayz!

j.
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Old 05-09-2001, 06:25 AM   #11
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Go with Bridgestone Blizzaks for the snow. Trust me, most bite in the snow for the buck. Handling on dry surfaces is pretty sluggish though, but then again, snow tires aren't suppose to be great handling tires.
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Old 05-09-2001, 06:46 AM   #12
orbit03
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I just emailed Nokian US about the Hakka 2 and the replied and said that they are available (no price mentioned) and they come pre-studded from the factory. They appear to be pretty much the Hakka Q with studs. On their European site they claim 10-15% shorter braking distances than the Hakka 1 on glare ice. Sweet.

As far as sidewall stiffness: Like any snow tire, the sidewalls a fairly soft. The extra tread depth also goes towards making the tire feel soft. If you want stiff side walls get rally snow tires. Another solution (if you are worried about the sidewalls) is to get tubes in the tires. It will give you a little extra protection from punctures and popping the tire off the rim.

If they are priced anywhere near the Hakka 1 expect to pay about $130 ea.

Anyone know if you can put 15" rims on the WRX?
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Old 05-09-2001, 07:07 AM   #13
brandonl
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It depends on what kind of snow surface as to what tires you'd use... laying snow or a few inches hakka 1's, 9's, 10's (havent seen 2's yet) get them tall and skinny on 15" steels. Ice and hard packed glaring snow/ice hakka Q's or blizzaks. Just my opinion. 165/70/15 hakka 10's on 15X6" steels were un-beatable on my 01 RS this past winter. I know a guy who's a nokian dealer if anyone is interested, he has great prices and tons of knowledge.

Brandon
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Old 05-09-2001, 07:23 AM   #14
orbit03
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I ran Hakka 10's 2 years ago and thought they were great. Then I got a set of Hakka 1's and I found that they are better in all conditions (deep, slush, hard pack, etc.). They had great bite in the deep stuff. Their lateral traction seemed better too. I want to see what the Hakka 2's look like to make sure they will have enough openness to the tread, so they get a good bite in the deep stuff. I live in the snow belt, so we get a lot of storms that dump 4-10" in a short period of time, so traction in the deep stuff is pretty important.
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Old 05-09-2001, 07:57 AM   #15
ub2slo
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Question

How do the Haka's compare with Blizzak from a dry/wet road driving perspective? I've had several sets of Blizzaks they are so bad on dry/wet roads.

I'm looking for a tire that won't have as much tread squirm and sidewall flex.

I have Pirelli Wintersports on my A4 but they are a little weak in deep snow and weak on ice though only in comparison to the Blizzak.

Thanks
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Old 05-09-2001, 08:08 AM   #16
pottsie350
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Deep snow traction is important to me too. The climate here is probably fairly similar to Erie, PA. There are a lot of back roads that hardly get touched during snow.. And I just have to go out and play in it.

I had thought about getting some rally tires when I bought those Dunlop Graspics.

Subie Gal, those pics make me long for the snow. I used to hate winter... til I got my Impreza. wooo hooo
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Old 05-09-2001, 09:04 AM   #17
Philip
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Just to add to the chains part of this discussion....

2002 WRX owner's manual states front tires only, if chains are required, with a 19mph limit, and only recommended on stock 16" wheel and tire size (not 17" or 18").

I think I recall the older RS's not being able to have chains at all..... but I don't have their owner's manual to check.

Philip
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Old 05-09-2001, 10:17 AM   #18
CosmoTheCat
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Not enough clearance for chains on the RS, or so they say. If you -1 size the wheels (to factory L wheels/tires) you can get away with chains. My Grand Cherokee couldn't use chains either. I wasn't really interested in buying a second set of all terrain tires just so I could use chains, so I bought a set knowing that I would never put them on. When the signs say "Chains required" even AWD/4wd vehicles need to have chains in the car. You don't have to put them on, but you're supposed to have them. In my Ru I just dropped the chains from my '91 Civic in the trunk for legality's sake.
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Old 05-09-2001, 10:23 AM   #19
bratmantlz
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the rule: well here it is. use snow tires with steelies on them. easiest way to make sure you are okay. imo. simple easy bam
brian
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Old 05-09-2001, 11:29 AM   #20
Poseidon
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You CAN use chains. The manual may recommend against, but I never had any problems. For those of us who live in apartments, and don't have room to store extra wheels/tires, chains are really the only option. But don't get cheapo chains, as they may have bits that stick out and can damage your car. Go to an auto parts store and look for some quality ones that are easy to put on and fit well. I highly recommend Laclede Alpine Series.

I was driving my '99 Outback Sport up to the ski slopes one winter. There was some slush and snow on the road, but there was NO chain advisory posted, so I didn't bother to put them on. About 2 miles short of the base, the road became fully covered in hard-pack snow and ice. I wasn't driving fast at all (maybe 25), and was going straight, but I must have hit a really slick patch, because the car suddenly started spinning to the right. We bounced off the snow bank and ended up facing back the way we came. It all happened in less than a second, and I came away with a $700 dent in my fender. My advice: Snow tires if you can afford/store them. Chains if you can't. Don't listen to anyone who tells you you don't need extra traction just because you have AWD.

Jordan
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Old 05-09-2001, 01:26 PM   #21
remarcable
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Just drive as fast as your car can go. You have AWD so there is no problem.

AWD helps you stop quickly too!

(disclaimer: Duh!)
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Old 05-09-2001, 02:53 PM   #22
kevinsUBARU
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Thumbs down

Do you even get snow in SC?!? (Im not taking a cheap shot at you Remarkable)

I have snow tires on my 95 in the winter, but I dont drive like a maniac. Its not smart, and it could kill you or someone else. I view the tires and AWD as safety equipment to prevent accidents. Take me to a parking lot and I march to a different beat though....public roads are not the place to fu@k around on...AWD with snow tires or not.

As for the signs, I have seen them with my own two eyes in Utah and Wyoming!

[This message has been edited by kevinsUBARU (edited May 09, 2001).]
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Old 05-09-2001, 06:32 PM   #23
garface
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#1 rule: 10 donuts minimum per snowfall.
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Old 05-09-2001, 06:54 PM   #24
Penphoe
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Here's my rule when driving my RS in the snow:

&lt;b&gt;DON'T BE AN IDIOT!&lt;/b&gt;

Simple as that. Yes, with AWD it may be easier to get started/harder to get stuck, but when it all comes down to the physics of it all, you're in the same boat whether you drive a dinky FWD car, or a big rig. Stopping distances DO increase in the ice/snow, and turning speed is DRASTICALLY reduced in low-traction conditions. Don't be an idiot and complain that "the slow FWD xxx was driving sooo slow at 10mph..." while tailing the guy.

When it snows here in Vancouver, people go into "idiot" mode, drive really slow and tailgate each other!! Makes me sick! In snow, I ALWAYS drive at the limit that keeps me well in control of my vehicle. Who when another driver decides to slam on his brakes and spin out.

Anywayz, as for doing the crazies in the snow, I save that for special locations -- like my university's large empty parking lots! With nobody around in a large area, there's lotz of safe space to do 4-wheel drifts, doughnuts, power slides, and all sorts of fun stuff! I just don't do that on the streets.

Drive safe everyone! The beauty of AWD isn't licence for us to turn off our brains!

LaterZ!
Darren!!

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Old 05-09-2001, 07:17 PM   #25
Boosted WRX
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I agree, AWD is meant to be a safety precaution, you can still lose traction or spin out even with awd. I drive like an idiot in the snow in huge parking lots or my local park grounds. Donuts, drifts, it was great while it lasted, now it is spring, time to put down those windows, put up that sunroof, opps i don't have one, turn up my music, and enjoy the nice weather. Have fun!!
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