330i in the smow/ice
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Might as well throw in my experience. I procrastinated buying the snow tires/wheels like I planned. Then came a decent (few inches) of snow before Thanksgiving. I was shocked at how well the car handled (17 inch all seasons). I did slide sideways while trying to stop at one light (I had already slowed to about 10 mph), but managed to keep control. I watched an Escort stop at a light and skid 90 degrees sideways. We've had a couple of snowstorms (not as bad as the east coast) and other than driving slow, it's been no problem. So you go extra slow in a turn--you get to where you're going 30 sec later. I purposely skid around some turns and can easily control the skid on snow. My son likes to see how long I can keep the traction control beeping.
Then I took out the wife's Lexus RX. Was approaching a red light going about 25-30 in a 35 zone, braking, but NOOOOOOOO--I was on ice and not slowing down one bit. Luckily I had enough room and was able to steer into another lane and stop. It could have easily been a rear ender. So, as everyone says, nothing's gonna help on ice. A friend saw 2 SUV's spin out on the highway last Saturday morning during a snowstorm.
I even saw an M5 with its regular low profile tires driving on a pretty snowy/slushy day before the plows had completed their work.
The great thing about Chicago is that the streets/highways are usually snow free within 24 hrs of a snowstorm. Bottom line--slow down, leave extra distance, practice control in a parking lot or someplace safe. The DSC and ABS systems do a great job.
Then I took out the wife's Lexus RX. Was approaching a red light going about 25-30 in a 35 zone, braking, but NOOOOOOOO--I was on ice and not slowing down one bit. Luckily I had enough room and was able to steer into another lane and stop. It could have easily been a rear ender. So, as everyone says, nothing's gonna help on ice. A friend saw 2 SUV's spin out on the highway last Saturday morning during a snowstorm.
I even saw an M5 with its regular low profile tires driving on a pretty snowy/slushy day before the plows had completed their work.
The great thing about Chicago is that the streets/highways are usually snow free within 24 hrs of a snowstorm. Bottom line--slow down, leave extra distance, practice control in a parking lot or someplace safe. The DSC and ABS systems do a great job.
Patriot:
Great input. I actually live in North Jersey and I do the same technique of moving the wheel when my car is skidding out on turns, or even just in general.
Just a little input from me to everyone else:
I've had high performance tires through 2 winters, and to say the least, it was hell. I actually got stuck on a highway... I took my like a half hour of playing with the gas/clutch, reversing to make it out of there.
This winter I had blizzak's put on my car, and they have made a great difference. Your car may still slide a little, but definitely not as much, and it gains back traction so quickly.
Just tonight is a great example, as I was driving back from my friend's house who has a really steep driveway. It snowed, and all the roads were covered with a sheet. Had it been last year on my high performance tires, I would have probably slide off of his driveway into his garage lol But I slowly but surely made it down that hill safely.
Snow Tires are the way to go
Great input. I actually live in North Jersey and I do the same technique of moving the wheel when my car is skidding out on turns, or even just in general.
Just a little input from me to everyone else:
I've had high performance tires through 2 winters, and to say the least, it was hell. I actually got stuck on a highway... I took my like a half hour of playing with the gas/clutch, reversing to make it out of there.
This winter I had blizzak's put on my car, and they have made a great difference. Your car may still slide a little, but definitely not as much, and it gains back traction so quickly.
Just tonight is a great example, as I was driving back from my friend's house who has a really steep driveway. It snowed, and all the roads were covered with a sheet. Had it been last year on my high performance tires, I would have probably slide off of his driveway into his garage lol But I slowly but surely made it down that hill safely.
Snow Tires are the way to go
welcome aboard James. i really have to try that wheel trick next time i get a chance. if i remember to that is....
i just love how people in 3 ton trucks think they all of a sudden can defy physics and snow because they have "all wheel drive" wooooo. think that one over while waiting for a tow truck in the ditch.
i really think every state in the snow belt, or anywhere with at least descent amount of snow accumulation should have a course in winter driving. i for one would sign up in a heart beat. i just don't feel like driving down to OH or somewhere.. for a course.
i just love how people in 3 ton trucks think they all of a sudden can defy physics and snow because they have "all wheel drive" wooooo. think that one over while waiting for a tow truck in the ditch.
i really think every state in the snow belt, or anywhere with at least descent amount of snow accumulation should have a course in winter driving. i for one would sign up in a heart beat. i just don't feel like driving down to OH or somewhere.. for a course.
actually, I think that states, countries etc. that get snow and low temperatures should get a law that everycar must have winter tires. in fact, it is already the tempereatures below some 42°F that make a summer tire perform bad. the colder weather makes the rubber loose grip while a winter tire starts working properly at those grades.
Of course, people might say that there shall not be a law that tells folks what to buy, but in terms of public and personal safety i would not discuss. that must be a law, wherther or not someone thinks he is one hell of a driver in the snow, even w/o winter tires. experience teaches us the differences.
Of course, people might say that there shall not be a law that tells folks what to buy, but in terms of public and personal safety i would not discuss. that must be a law, wherther or not someone thinks he is one hell of a driver in the snow, even w/o winter tires. experience teaches us the differences.
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It's funny because I actually got screwed in that snowfall. I was in NYC and I knew it was gonna snow late at night, but I didn't think I was gonna be out that late. I picked up my car from the garage and had to drive home from NYC. I had to drop my friend off at the Bally Total Fitness on 9W in Englewood Cliffs (right at the entrance to that whole Englewood Cliffs neighborhood) and he had to walk home...that area is really hilly and the roads were covered with snow. Even at the entrance where it was flat, I couldn't keep going....NO traction AT ALL with Pilot Sports. And then I was on my street almost at my house (I was so f-ing lucky that the major roads were only wet), I downshifted to 2nd on my street and my tail started to swing out because of too much compression lol. And yeah, the car had to sleep outside again that night....no chance of making it up the driveway, as usual. ![[:(]](/images/smilies/frown.png "Frown [:(]")
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