How's your GS in snow? (merged threads)
#241
what is everyone's thoughts on studded tires? I don't see many that come studded in 225/55/16 but I see some general Altimax tires that are "studdable" with good reviews on tire rack. Is it really worth getting studded instead of non studded blizzaks? I know there are some pros and cons to studs so any experience you guys have with them let me know.
General Altimax are good tires as well. Blizzak, X-ice, Altimax, you cant go wrong. I run Goodyear's ultra grip on my tacoma and they work pretty well. Quiet on the road. Very good on ice.
#243
Originally Posted by DMPesso
Yea studs are legal between October and April or something in NYC.
But anecdotally that Camry came to a stop on the highway one day due to an ignition issue and the tow truck driver who came to get me saw that I had winters/studs and told me I was one of the rare smart drivers he'd seen for doing that (he pulled a lot of people out of ditches and such in the winter time).
#244
I have 215/60-16 Hankook iPike on my GS430. My car was undrivable on the sporty all-seasons I bought it with, it was a legitimate safety issue. The GS is a pretty ****ty winter car for a lot of reasons, but with winter tires at least traction is now reasonable.
#245
2cents
I found the 430 to be all but worthless in Denver's winters. Anything over 2-3 inches on the ground and it was going nowhere. I had a set of winter studded snows on my sc400 and found them to be pretty ineffective too, and definitely not worth the noise and rough ride all the days when snow wasn't on the ground. from posts here, it sounds like others have had more luck than i, but my opinion is 100% buy a front wheel drive beater for winter.
#246
Originally Posted by liazon
I found the 430 to be all but worthless in Denver's winters. Anything over 2-3 inches on the ground and it was going nowhere. I had a set of winter studded snows on my sc400 and found them to be pretty ineffective too, and definitely not worth the noise and rough ride all the days when snow wasn't on the ground. from posts here, it sounds like others have had more luck than i, but my opinion is 100% buy a front wheel drive beater for winter.
Originally Posted by firelizard
I have 215/60-16 Hankook iPike on my GS430. My car was undrivable on the sporty all-seasons I bought it with, it was a legitimate safety issue. The GS is a pretty ****ty winter car for a lot of reasons, but with winter tires at least traction is now reasonable.
I've actually learned to enjoy my GS's capabilities with its winters now. But in any sort of deep wintery blizzard situation... forget it. I risk getting stuck if snow plows have not been out.
#248
Originally Posted by firelizard
Really? I haven't been stuck with the snow tires on yet. Constantly, with all-seasons, but never with the winters, even in fresh snow.
#250
On 16's? Yes, and that was my original point. Nothing I haven't seen in High Prairie, Grande Prairie, Lloydminster, Edmonton and of course Calgary. As I've mentioned a couple of times now. My previous owner chose 17's with the factory size.
#251
wow I cannot even imagine driving any RWD car in Denver, those mountains and turns are insane. Even without snow I was paranoid driving around those mountains. I saw 2 cars that flipped over and almost fell off the mountain while I was there.
I found the 430 to be all but worthless in Denver's winters. Anything over 2-3 inches on the ground and it was going nowhere. I had a set of winter studded snows on my sc400 and found them to be pretty ineffective too, and definitely not worth the noise and rough ride all the days when snow wasn't on the ground. from posts here, it sounds like others have had more luck than i, but my opinion is 100% buy a front wheel drive beater for winter.
#252
#254
you are overthinking it... we live in the snow belt but we don't live in Buffalo and get snow effect... you have some relief being in BK as most of the snow breaks up by the time it gets to Manny-Hatty and then over the east river... i get the brunt of it 30 miles west of you...
i've owned my GS for 7 yrs and have been thru the worst of it on the same tires you have (Conti DWS)... you just have to be smart about how you drive and know your limits... keep it in snow mode and turn traction control off if you are moving from a complete stop... i've gotten home in over 6" of snow but that is because i knew how to use momentum on my side... how much are your really driving your car out in BK anyway? is the car parked on the street? usually with any type of blizzard the cars are buried for weeks and you just cab/uber everywhere anyway... i went out and bought an SUV 2 yrs ago before my daughter was born and so far it was overkill... we got snow once last winter?
i've owned my GS for 7 yrs and have been thru the worst of it on the same tires you have (Conti DWS)... you just have to be smart about how you drive and know your limits... keep it in snow mode and turn traction control off if you are moving from a complete stop... i've gotten home in over 6" of snow but that is because i knew how to use momentum on my side... how much are your really driving your car out in BK anyway? is the car parked on the street? usually with any type of blizzard the cars are buried for weeks and you just cab/uber everywhere anyway... i went out and bought an SUV 2 yrs ago before my daughter was born and so far it was overkill... we got snow once last winter?
#255
To the OP I'm a few hundred miles south of you in Maryland. We don't get as much snow in the winter as you do, but this past winter will be the last one I drive my LS400 without winter only tires. If you want to keep the GS get your self a set of junk yard GS430 wheels and a set of Blizzaks for the winter. It'll be a lot less expensive than acquiring another vehicle for winter driving