Quote:
Originally Posted by Best4x4xFAR
While I agree the staggered look and 315 section rear tires look much better..
The Pirelli Ice & Snows are probably pretty good in the snow, but I'd bet they'd be even better in a narrower size. Narrow generally performs better in the snow by far, all other things being equal. You want to bite down though it, the wider tires tend to float on top of it.
Heck, these steamroller size tires have their limitations even in heavy rain, being much more prone to hydroplaning. There is just too much tire to evacuate the water from underneath of in some situations..
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Generally, the fact that narrower tires are better in snow and on ice and narrower wheel widths are normally better because it rounds the profile of the tire and helps both penetration and floatation and also because they are more stable and get better linear traction by penetrating the snow. This is not always true though; on hard-pack snow, wider tires with more sipes are better. In deep snow, wider tires might be able to float over the top, but that’s a very specific situation. I am not refuting the fact that narrower tires are better
Pirellis put technology on it's design tread pattern with an asymmetric design, wide longitudinal grooves and angled tread blocks so drivers remains in full control, even in the most difficult weather conditions but then again, you can be right about narrower version of Pirellis, they could be better.
I have been using the wider setup since BMW came up with 315/275 when E53 came out as far as I can remember and I have never had any issues. However, regardless of what winter/snow tires you have, bottomline is - it's always good to use good judgment driving in the snow.