How are these in the snow?
07-14-09, 05:48 AM
#1
How are these in the snow?
I live in the mountains of Virginia. I just bought a 2006. We don't get a lot of snow, but I was wondering if these are any good in the snow. Some of you northerners should have some experience. I have the Dunlop 5000s on the car at this point.
07-14-09, 06:31 AM
#2
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All the weight from the V-8 is on the front wheels; all the drive is on the back wheels; the tires are very wide and act like snow shoes. It's terrible in the snow.
07-14-09, 03:01 PM
#6
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07-14-09, 10:27 PM
#8
As my daily driver, the SC430 has to go out the last six winters. We don't get long periods of snow and ice in Seattle, but every year has a few weeks of snow. That means six inches of snow on the road, solid ribbons of ice instead of pavement, and this is place has real hills.
The regular width wheels with all season Pilots give very poor traction when there is any ice. You end up going sideways suddenly -- not good.
I have successfully dealt with snow commutes by two means.
1. Narrow wheels and Blizzaks work pretty well. You'll still slide a bit but the car won't behave like an ice puck. Helps a lot, but hills will still stop you.
2. SpyderSpikes. I have the sport version. Put these on the rear wheels in about 60 seconds/wheel. You do have to put the hub on at the start of snow and ice season. I put my hubs on just after Thanksgiving. Once the spyderspikes are on, I can go up and down icy hills in Bellevue that have stranded SUV's. You don't get to go more that 20 mph, but you get quite good traction on ice. These I have used with the std wheels and Pilots to good effect. However, I'd recommend doing both the narrow wheels/blizzaks and spyderspikes.
Once the snow is deeper than the bottom of the SC430, you're not going anywhere even with SpyderSpikes.
The regular width wheels with all season Pilots give very poor traction when there is any ice. You end up going sideways suddenly -- not good.
I have successfully dealt with snow commutes by two means.
1. Narrow wheels and Blizzaks work pretty well. You'll still slide a bit but the car won't behave like an ice puck. Helps a lot, but hills will still stop you.
2. SpyderSpikes. I have the sport version. Put these on the rear wheels in about 60 seconds/wheel. You do have to put the hub on at the start of snow and ice season. I put my hubs on just after Thanksgiving. Once the spyderspikes are on, I can go up and down icy hills in Bellevue that have stranded SUV's. You don't get to go more that 20 mph, but you get quite good traction on ice. These I have used with the std wheels and Pilots to good effect. However, I'd recommend doing both the narrow wheels/blizzaks and spyderspikes.
Once the snow is deeper than the bottom of the SC430, you're not going anywhere even with SpyderSpikes.
07-15-09, 09:06 PM
#10
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While I would never suggest driving the 430 on snow, or any car on ice. Any rear drive car that is light in the rear will benefit from weight over the rear wheels. Narrow tires are essential and when I drove a Camaro in Minnestota winters, 50 pound sandbags in the trunk over each rear wheel were a must. Home Depot or Lowes stock them. (Do not use cinder blocks, as if you front end anything you will be wearing them in the back of your head)
I have skiied Snowshoe and know that seeing a 430 would be really impressive.
I have skiied Snowshoe and know that seeing a 430 would be really impressive.
Last edited by Lexus One; 07-15-09 at 09:22 PM.
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