SHO in the snow

[jenk007700]

I have been driving my 12S SHO here in Buffalo since delivery on 12/2. We have been very lucky so far with our winter as its been pretty light. I can say that I know this is not my best option but my snow tire fund went to buy a new furnace. Heat or Tires... hmmm

The AWD and TC does a great job and I am never wanting more when it comes to moving. Cornering is pretty solid with the AdvanceTrac doing its job well. That being said braking has to be planned a bit more than nornmal but still I have keep the paint blemish free.

My thoughts were to purchase another set of rim with dedicated snows but seeing some comments on this thread I might just go with all seasons before next winter.

 

[RonPorter]

I have been driving my 12S SHO here in Buffalo since delivery on 12/2. We have been very lucky so far with our winter as its been pretty light. I can say that I know this is not my best option but my snow tire fund went to buy a new furnace. Heat or Tires... hmmm

The AWD and TC does a great job and I am never wanting more when it comes to moving. Cornering is pretty solid with the AdvanceTrac doing its job well. That being said braking has to be planned a bit more than nornmal but still I have keep the paint blemish free.

My thoughts were to purchase another set of rim with dedicated snows but seeing some comments on this thread I might just go with all seasons before next winter.

A separate set of wheels/tires for the winter is the way to go. Unless someone likes messing with swapping tires on the rims for each season.

In no way should a mfr put all-season (or, the more appropriate name of "no-season") tires on a performance model, regardless of where it's sold. They extract the best overall handling and braking that the mfr has designed into the suspension.

Mfrs all over the globe put summer tires on performance models. It's up to you to change for the seasons as required. That way you get the best rubber for either summer or winter. All-season tires are a compromise that I would never do again. Dedicated summer and winter tires are well worth it.

Ford got it right on the tire choices for the new SHO.

 

[sperold]

In Quebec, Canada, if you are a resident, there is a law that you have to have winter only tires from Dec 15 to Mar 15. The tire has to have the mountain and snowflake insignia on it.
Not my idea of a good law, but who am I? After seeing the videos above, I am giving it more thought. But if you are on ice, no tires are going to help you, except the studded ones (which are outlawed in the same jurisdiction).
The real annoyance is..... if you leave for Florida past Dec 15, you are going to have winter tires for your summer like driving experience in the South.

 

[esfoad]

I am originally from Quebec and I still have family there. I am now a resident of NJ. I have always used winter tires since I started driving 40 years ago. I am a firm believer in winter tires and I always buy rims so that I can switch between summer and winter rubber myself. That said, I have been looked at with quizzical looks by almost everyone here in NJ when I talk about winter tires and I must say that I have worn out some sets of winter tires without ever seeing snow. But on those occasions when it does snow there is no substitute for the assurance you feel when running on a good set of snow tires. The traction is amazing and, most importantly, you can actually use the brakes and expect them to work. It's true that on ice everything evens out but still, the softer compound of winter tires over pure summer tires (not necessarily a good set of all-season tires) will work better on ice. In any case, almost everyone will replace at least one set of tires during the life you operate the vehicle. So why not buy a set of snows when the car is new and then you should be good for the life of the vehicle?

 

[RonPorter]

I think it's a misnomer to call them "snow tires", as opposed to "winter tires". Granted, all that I know have the M+S snowflake, but different ones have different purposes. Some are agressive snow tires, some better for ice, but there are also performance winter tires, like I have. I have Hankook Icebear 300s, and there are also other similar tires like certain Blizzak models. They all can handle snow fairly well, but they also provide good traction in cold weather on both dry and wet pavement, as well as ice & snow duties. They also can carry higher speed ratings, and they come in lower profiles.

I believe that this is a key factor, as they have rubber compounds that are better in the cold than summer tires (most of which have warnings not to use below 40F) and even a/s tires.

 

[PonySHO]

I have driven mine in snow plenty. Even with the 20" Mich's, it's okay at best. A good set of 19" narrow snows Like Blizzaks would be ideal. I may do that for next year. I had Blizzaks on both of my front drive Acura TLs, and they were by FAR better with that combination than the AWD Taurus with the Mich's.

I went with 18" wheels and 225/60R18 Blizzaks for the winter. This tire is the exact same circumference as the Michelin Primacy. I'm from Buffalo and like jenk007700 said, the winter has been pretty mild so far. The Blizzaks are a "performance" winter tire, at least as much as they can be so you're not totally loosing out on handling on dry pavement. On fresh snow, the car is just like driving a 4 x 4, but in snow that's been driven through a lot, it seems that the treads get packed with snow and that compromises the traction. I can't say how much better the Blizzaks are over the stock Michelin's, but I'm satisfied with them. They are a little bit noisier, but that's what the Sony is for!

 

[AceGoliath]

Is this what you were looking for?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rto_Wl-gkkg&feature=sub

 

[thebigjimsho]

Wow Portland has never heard of Salt/Sanding their roads?!

They've heard of salt. They just don't...

http://www.forestgrovenewstimes.com/news/story.php?story_id=122953818571628100

 

[thebigjimsho]

In no way should a mfr put all-season (or, the more appropriate name of "no-season") tires on a performance model, regardless of where it's sold. They extract the best overall handling and braking that the mfr has designed into the suspension.

It's amazing how many idiots buy V series Cadillacs and try to drive them in the snow with the OEM tires. Then they get ****** off that their salesman didn't tell them they needed different tires for the winter. Then they get cheap all seasons and never change. Oh well...

 

[ShoTide985]

I would think that with a foot of snow, those "all-season" tires might not do so well..

I think it's a very solid investment to buy a set of snow tires, especially for Michigan drivers...

For an AWD car like the SHO, it should do fine, but for RWD cars, "all-season" tires are a waste in more than a 1" of snow, IMO.

 

[thebigjimsho]

My Town Car does just fine in a foot of snow with all season Michelin LX4s...

 

[RonPorter]

My Town Car does just fine in a foot of snow with all season Michelin LX4s...

Get some real winter tires. Your opinion of those rim protectors will change.

 

[thebigjimsho]

Get some real winter tires. Your opinion of those rim protectors will change.

Ah, no. For the maybe 20 hours a year I need to drive on a snowy surface, I'll risk it and have quiet tires for my clients. And, really, with all-seasons and traction control I don't need them.

 

[RonPorter]

Ah, no. For the maybe 20 hours a year I need to drive on a snowy surface, I'll risk it and have quiet tires for my clients. And, really, with all-seasons and traction control I don't need them.

Winter tires aren't just for snow & ice. The work better in the cold on dry and wet surfaces.

 

[thebigjimsho]

Winter tires aren't just for snow & ice. The work better in the cold on dry and wet surfaces.

My Michelin LX4s do just fine down to the -5 I saw last winter. I'm sorry, but the Boston area gets cleared too quickly to seriously consider snow tires, especially with how well my all-seasons do in the snow.