Yeah I'm crazy...need snow tires

[leanit]

All,
I have a 2001 VX and I'm getting her ready for winter by replacing the tires for snow tires. Remember, I admitted to being crazy ( )...Ha! Last year, I was driving to work with about 6 inches of snow on the ground and at 25 mph, she broke traction and nearly clipped a concrete divider. I am running Kumho road tires but want a more aggressive tire. I would even consider dropping down a wheel size or two to get the right tire. I need suggestions, please. To make matters worse, my wife works for Goodyear so Dunlop or Goodyears are perferred but not mandatory. Thanks for you help, JD

[Gussie2000]

All,
I have a 2001 VX and I'm getting her ready for winter by replacing the tires for snow tires. Remember, I admitted to being crazy ( )...Ha! Last year, I was driving to work with about 6 inches of snow on the ground and at 25 mph, she broke traction and nearly clipped a concrete divider. I am running Kumho road tires but want a more aggressive tire. I would even consider dropping down a wheel size or two to get the right tire. I need suggestions, please. To make matters worse, my wife works for Goodyear so Dunlop or Goodyears are perferred but not mandatory. Thanks for you help, JD

There's a thread named "Please post all rims & tires......" which can lead you to choose the right rubbers

Also we got a very wise member named RIFF RAFF from WA who works in the tire field so go & send him a PM (personal message) He'll more than happy to assist you.

Good luck !

[Ldub]

First off, WELCOME to the forums!

You'll find a lot of Nitto Terra Grappler fans around here, Also check for posts by VX KAT, or snoop her gallery for the sweet Coopers she has.

Then there's always riffs favorite General Grabbers...


What I'm getting to, is try out the search function, using "tires" as your search criteria (or any of the above mentioned brands)...you will find HOURS of interesting reading...

I say "hours" because almost everyone has an opinion on which tire is best, & they're all right to some degree...

[Ldub]

There's a thread named "Please post all rims & tires......" which can lead you to choose the right rubbers

Also we got a very wise member named RIFF RAFF from WA who works in the tire field so go & send him a PM (personal message) He'll more than happy to assist you.

Good luck !

Gussie, he doesn't work in the tire field, he stayed at a Holiday Inn Express...

[nfpgasmask]

I personally find the VX somewhat iffy in the snow. I have had at least 4 instances out here while braking in the snow on the road where my VX completely lost traction and I was sliding. Since I lifted and put on the BFG M/Ts, it has been a lot better, but I also drive in 4x4 and I go slow when driving on the snow pack.

I had 245 BFG A/Ts prior to the 265 BFG M/Ts and I can honestly say the A/Ts were terrible (scary) in the snow. The M/Ts are MUCH better.

Bart

[Gussie2000]

Gussie, he doesn't work in the tire field, he stayed at a Holiday Inn Express...

Holyday inn express ?

I wonder where he got the VIP membership card signed by Paris hilton

[Triathlete]

From a quick search here are a couple relevant threads to read through...
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...snow+ice+tires

http://www.vehicross.info/forums/sho...snow+ice+tires

[VX KAT]

Gussie, he doesn't work in the tire field, he stayed at a Holiday Inn Express...

......

[pbkid]

welcome to the forum bro

they all have better suggestions than me, im a brand whore..

[leanit]

Thanks for the replies. Even though I just joined this forum, I am a member of multiple motorcycle forums and am aware of the search function but was looking for a speedy reply. I thought with the number of members in the snowy climates I might be able to offer a specific brand/model.
The local tire stores in this area are saying I don't need a snow tire and are trying to get me to buy mudders...ain't happening. I have driven in snow from Germany to Virginia and most of it with FWD cars. I have never had a car 'snap' around on me the way the VX did. When I finally stopped, I swore I would not drive it again in snow without snow specific tires. The rest of the winter, I dove my Mazda 6 wagon or my wife's Lincoln MKX with no issues. Thanks again, JD

[pbkid]

leanit- i have bridgestone winter duelers and they work GREAT in the colorado mountains...

[rowhard]

I personally find the VX somewhat iffy in the snow. Bart

Wait, gas man, did you not move from chi town, the windy city to the high desert. Are you trying to say you don't know how to drive in the slippy stuff no matter what the vehicle? Come on, your s@#tting me RIGHT!!

[Ldub]

Wait, gas man, did you not move from chi town, the windy city to the high desert. Are you trying to say you don't know how to drive in the slippy stuff no matter what the vehicle? Come on, your s@#tting me RIGHT!!

You GO Row!!!...

[nocturnalVX]

From the 4 Wheel Parts website...

"Inventive lug design earns these Pro Comp tires a Severe Weather rating, while advanced tread patterns ensure even wear and maximum durability. The tread is designed with an elliptical siping pattern and interlocking shouldered lugs that provide extra bite and gripping power in snow, dirt, and sand."

These tires are very good, and I will be going back to them when my Xterrains wear down. Only in 33" rather than 31".

[SlowPro48]

I have never had a car 'snap' around on me the way the VX did.

Ahh yesss... you've never driven a Fiat X1/9 in the snow then... The only mid-engine car I've ever driven in the snow and the only one that would swap ends quicker than a VX. With a low polar moment of inertia and a short wheelbase things happen fast - the start of a spin requires some quick correcting - but the good part of low inertia is it will snap back the other way just as easily so you can you can recover from some seriously out of kilter yaw angles.

The VX is one of the best I've ever driven as far as forward acceleration on snow/ice - but one of the worst as far as lateral grip. It's fairly heavy for its size and there's no overcoming the laws of physics - a lot of momentum/centripetal force there for the tires to deal with when you bend the VX into a slippery turn. It's also not the best as far as braking is concerned. Definitely not the worst but not the best either. Snow is not very slick so you won't notice it so much in snow but try to brake on ice and you'll see it's kind of difficult to modulate the brakes at the point of incipient slide. The line between not braking at all and ABS kicking in is very fine indeed... So be careful! You won't get stuck on a hill - but you can easily wrap your baby around a tree if you enter a turn too hot. You may go off on a tangent no matter how good your tires are!

That said - if you're serious about wanting a good snow tire - which for the VX means the tire that provides as much lateral grip as possible since it really doesn't need much help in the forward grip arena - check out the Nokian Hakkapeliitta. Disclaimer: I haven't tried these tires (or any other snow tires for that matter) on my VX - no way would I buy snow tires when 90% of my driving is in NC - but I spent some time in Norway where they know a thing or two about snow - and Nokian Hakkapeliittas seemed to be the hot ticket.