Winter Tires... Why???

[Sedoy]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

1996 Lexus ES300. Definately front wheel drive.

Oh, I thought newer ones...

[Mitch P.]

winter tires have dedicated rubber compound to stay pliable in sub zero temps. Plus, they have sipes in the tread to bite into the compact snow/ice when there is a thin layer of water over. You can literally stop 30-feet sooner from 30mph on ice/snow with winter tires over all-season tires, and even more if comparing to summer tires.

It's like this. You wouldn't try and walk on snow/ice with dress shoes. You would put on boots with specific tread. Otherwise you'll fall on your arse

http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/...hid=120#doneed

[alexz]

or how about this:
I was driving 75-80 on unplowed highway with about 2-3 of fresh snow, when everyone else was staying in the right lane barely going 35-40 mph
PIRELLI SCORPION ICE AND SNOW IS THE KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gregwx5]

The michelins on the stock 17's suck in snow...not necessarily starting or moving but stopping is terrible...I slide on like 2 inches of snow

[chefwong]

No intend to flame.....but 70+++ seems awfully fast on snowy roads.

The day we got hit by the ice/snow this season in NYC, I saw a pickup who couldn't stop in time cause his tars were not up to par. There are other lives at stake just short of your own on the road.

[dkl]

Originally Posted by Sedoy

Oh, I thought newer ones...

Even the newer ES is front wheel drive. As a matter of fact, you can even get an RX with front wheel drive as well. But they do a great job in branding the name plate such that most people think Lexus = rear wheel drive!

[kishg]

Originally Posted by dkl

Even the newer ES is front wheel drive. As a matter of fact, you can even get an RX with front wheel drive as well. But they do a great job in branding the name plate such that most people think Lexus = rear wheel drive!

The ES is a dressed up Camry, so I'd expect it to be FWD. Of course probably a lot more reliable than my 96 328i
As for winter tires, i have Blizzaks on my E30 and they are great. I dont drive the 540 in the winter and we just got the X so I didnt get snows yet. The snowfall around here has been pathetic this winter.. but i'll be looking into a set for next winter! whats the recommended brand?

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by Aimster

But to be fair.. the snow was compacted on top of each other so it was hard as hell. Mixed with a lot of ice too. I also didn't gun it up the hill to go to the main road because the snow/ice was so high I was afraid that if I gunned it I would ruin my bumper. So I approached it at like 5mph. Got stuck and had to shovel my way out.

Driving in regular snow (I only tested it on 4-5") was funn.

Yes, that ice/snow mix on Valentine's Day was terrible. Around here it was about 6-7", but it was the most difficult 6" of precip to drive in. Basically that morning, if you did not have AWD, you were stuck.

It was worse when the plow went by our street, and shoved the snow to the side, along my driveway which then froze. I drove the X3 over the heap, but it caused a disconcerting scraping sound along the undercarriage due to the inadaquate ground clearance.