Do snow tires really help?
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Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 531
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From: South Bend, IN
Do snow tires really help?
We've all heard the question.
About 6 weeks ago when it was still frigid we had the chance to have several Maseratis here for testing, including the Turismo S. While they were here we decided to have some fun in the snow on our test track. One we kept on the stock Pirelli P-Zero performance summer tires, the other we equipped with Pirelli 240 Sotozero winter tires. Take a look at the acceleration and braking differences. On this car and its F430 drive train the difference in performance and control is staggering. There should be no doubt after watching this that snow tires help in the winter.
http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index.jsp?video=31
I realize this is a truck forumn, but the principles of the rubber compounds still apply. I just thought you guys would like to see some very obvious differences in traction on a few really nice cars. We had fun doing it.
About 6 weeks ago when it was still frigid we had the chance to have several Maseratis here for testing, including the Turismo S. While they were here we decided to have some fun in the snow on our test track. One we kept on the stock Pirelli P-Zero performance summer tires, the other we equipped with Pirelli 240 Sotozero winter tires. Take a look at the acceleration and braking differences. On this car and its F430 drive train the difference in performance and control is staggering. There should be no doubt after watching this that snow tires help in the winter.
http://www.tirerack.com/videos/index.jsp?video=31
I realize this is a truck forumn, but the principles of the rubber compounds still apply. I just thought you guys would like to see some very obvious differences in traction on a few really nice cars. We had fun doing it.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 776
Likes: 1
From: North Central Penna
Thanks for sharing that - a very simple way to prove the merits of snow tires.
I've been pro snow tires all my life. I believe that "all season" tires are merely a 3 season tire - still not good in snow/ice because of the harder compound of the tire.
And, on this forum many will argue that our all terrain tires are just as good as a snow tire in winter. I believe this is partially true due to the softer compound of an AT tire, but.....
Most folks here (me included) like a wide tire for aggressive looks. In the winter, this works against you so much as you need a narrow tire to gain the best traction.
So, my method anyway, is to use my stock steel wheels in the winter with a narrow snow tire - the difference is amazing comparing to a wider harder compound tire. I hate the look, but more times than once my setup has saved my butt during an evasive maneuver on a snow/ice covered road.
I've been pro snow tires all my life. I believe that "all season" tires are merely a 3 season tire - still not good in snow/ice because of the harder compound of the tire.
And, on this forum many will argue that our all terrain tires are just as good as a snow tire in winter. I believe this is partially true due to the softer compound of an AT tire, but.....
Most folks here (me included) like a wide tire for aggressive looks. In the winter, this works against you so much as you need a narrow tire to gain the best traction.
So, my method anyway, is to use my stock steel wheels in the winter with a narrow snow tire - the difference is amazing comparing to a wider harder compound tire. I hate the look, but more times than once my setup has saved my butt during an evasive maneuver on a snow/ice covered road.
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Sherwood Park
How do you get around the TPMS issue with two sets of wheels? I just read another thread that said you have to reset the thing every time you put a different set of sensors on the truck. I have a 2wd truck and I would like to use winter tires but do I have to pay a dealer to reset the system every season when I swap the wheels?