New Car & Driver Tire Test

HapaVibe · 10-27-2009, 11:55 PM

The new C & D has a comparision of hi-performance A/S, A/S, winter, and snow/ice tires. No summer tires included. All Michelin tires tested on an Infiniti G37. The results are fairly predictable with the tires doing best at what they were made for, e.g. snow/ice tires best in the snow and ice but sacrificing dry and wet performance. Winter tires appear to be the best for where I live. Cool to cold weather, black ice on many days, and a few days of snow.

Kev · 10-28-2009, 12:00 AM

Yeah, it sucks that they don't use salt here. So, lots of icy roads during winter. I'm going to switch over to my Blizzaks in a week's time.

carve · 10-28-2009, 12:20 PM

I wish SOMEONE would test summer tires in cold, dry conditions so we can see how much we'd actually gain by switching to all-season or winter tires. I only experience cold weather in the mornings for a few months per year, and all-season tires may compromise performance most of the time more than they gain performance for those cold mornings. Unfortunately, there just isn't enough information out there to make an informed decision.

Digital.James · 10-28-2009, 12:25 PM

Weird. The 5 years Ive been in WA, not once did I need winter tires. I even used my PS2s one winter.

unagi1 · 10-28-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carve

I wish SOMEONE would test summer tires in cold, dry conditions so we can see how much we'd actually gain by switching to all-season or winter tires. I only experience cold weather in the mornings for a few months per year, and all-season tires may compromise performance most of the time more than they gain performance for those cold mornings. Unfortunately, there just isn't enough information out there to make an informed decision.

Don't you have summer tires? Just leave them on

I think the consensus is that as long as it's dry, you will be fine. Once you get any rain or snow however combined with that cold weather, they'll be basically useless. That's always been the case with my summer tires...

Tee-Dub · 10-28-2009, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital.James

Weird. The 5 years Ive been in WA, not once did I need winter tires. I even used my PS2s one winter.

Must not have driven your car last winter! Not sure about Tacoma, but down here in Vancouver we had two weeks worth of snow. My car was sidelined in the garage and I decided this year I'd be prepared. Plus, nice to have separate wheels for the winter so my 19's don't get beat.

VWtoBMW · 10-28-2009, 02:22 PM

http://www.caranddriver.com/features...ction_-feature

carve · 10-29-2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tee-Dub

Must not have driven your car last winter! Not sure about Tacoma, but down here in Vancouver we had two weeks worth of snow. My car was sidelined in the garage and I decided this year I'd be prepared. Plus, nice to have separate wheels for the winter so my 19's don't get beat.

Pacific Northwest snow is the worst I've ever experienced anywhwere. I grew up right down the road from you (Battle Ground). In high school once, I was coming down from Mt. Hood and got into a fender bender. My friend drove back up to find me in his trooper. It was so slick, that when he stopped, he started sliding sideways down the crown of the road, all the way into the snow drift!

Tee-Dub · 10-29-2009, 11:48 AM

Yeah, our snow, when we get it, is wet and heavy. I bought winter dedicated snows this year also based on the newer info coming out that they work better in wet/cold conditions too. Plus, my 330 is running summer performance tires whereas I had all seasons on my last two 540's, although they were worthless in the snow with those tires anyway.

10-27-2009, 11:55 PM	#1
HapaVibe Private 2 Rep 76 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Seoul iTrader: (0)	New Car & Driver Tire Test The new C & D has a comparision of hi-performance A/S, A/S, winter, and snow/ice tires. No summer tires included. All Michelin tires tested on an Infiniti G37. The results are fairly predictable with the tires doing best at what they were made for, e.g. snow/ice tires best in the snow and ice but sacrificing dry and wet performance. Winter tires appear to be the best for where I live. Cool to cold weather, black ice on many days, and a few days of snow.
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10-28-2009, 12:00 AM	#2
Kev Critical Care Anesthesiologist 484 Rep 8,828 Posts Drives: SMB F83 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (24) Garage List 2009 Porsche 911 Ca ... [9.50]	Yeah, it sucks that they don't use salt here. So, lots of icy roads during winter. I'm going to switch over to my Blizzaks in a week's time. __________________ kev { divinum est sedate dolorem } "your friendly neighborhood critical care anesthesiologist"
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10-28-2009, 12:20 PM	#3
carve Major 177 Rep 1,105 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: usa iTrader: (0)	I wish SOMEONE would test summer tires in cold, dry conditions so we can see how much we'd actually gain by switching to all-season or winter tires. I only experience cold weather in the mornings for a few months per year, and all-season tires may compromise performance most of the time more than they gain performance for those cold mornings. Unfortunately, there just isn't enough information out there to make an informed decision.
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10-28-2009, 12:25 PM	#4
Digital.James Colonel 119 Rep 2,703 Posts Drives: GT4, Raptor.2, Tuono 1100F Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NC iTrader: (7)	Weird. The 5 years Ive been in WA, not once did I need winter tires. I even used my PS2s one winter.
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10-28-2009, 02:22 PM	#7
VWtoBMW Captain 69 Rep 896 Posts Drives: 2021 X5 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (5) Garage List 2013 750i xDrive [0.00] 2015 Mercedes GLK350 [0.00]	http://www.caranddriver.com/features...ction_-feature __________________ 2018 540d xDrive Carbon Black Metallic on Cognac leather. Spec'd out to the max 2017 Mercedes C43 AMG Coupe. Black on black
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10-29-2009, 11:48 AM	#9
Tee-Dub Captain 35 Rep 753 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, WA iTrader: (9)	Yeah, our snow, when we get it, is wet and heavy. I bought winter dedicated snows this year also based on the newer info coming out that they work better in wet/cold conditions too. Plus, my 330 is running summer performance tires whereas I had all seasons on my last two 540's, although they were worthless in the snow with those tires anyway.
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