WTF winter driving

[Qsilver7]

Ditto...ditto...ditto. The first thing I purchased for my X was a set of 4 Michelin Latitude X-Ice xi2 (snow/ice) winter tires. Can't say enough good things about them...just as those that may have some of the other brands (Hakkas/Nokian/Blizzaks/Graspics/etc).

When temps drop below 45° F (7° C) the rubber compound of summer & all season tires harden...thus loosing their ability to grip. The modern engineering that goes into winter tires...the rubber compound stays soft and pliable when ambient temps turn cool or drop to below freezing...thus continuing to give the tire traction and stability. This works not just for taking off...but also for braking and turning...which is the reason for getting 4 winter tires instead of just mounting them on the drive wheels. If one axle has traction and the other doesn't...then you end up like a pendulum...the one axle is spinning out of control...eventually taking the other axle with it if the momentum is great enough.

If you go to a site like http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=122&currentpage=123 ...they have some great info about winter tires and the types that are available for the kind of winter conditions where you live.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQwJ...B764B37ABFF533

[Bouchedag84]

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

If you go to a site like http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/techpage.jsp?techid=122&currentpage=123 ...they have some great info about winter tires and the types that are available for the kind of winter conditions where you live.

thanks
i just did a review on the tires i'm supposed to look at tonight Michelin Latitude Alpin, and another person where I live reviewed them and said they are pretty crappy. Might have to keep looking then

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Bouchedag84

thanks
i just did a review on the tires i'm supposed to look at tonight Michelin Latitude Alpin, and another person where I live reviewed them and said they are pretty crappy. Might have to keep looking then

The Michelin Latitude Alpin is a different tire than the Latitude X-Ice xi2. The Alpin is a "performance" winter tire...which means it's going to give up some deep snow and icy conditions for better handling in the dry/cold & mostly plowed roads. The X-Ice xi2 is a studless snow & ice tire...which does better in deep snow/ice/sleet.

When shopping for winter tires (any tire really)...make sure that you are comparing apples to apples. The winter tire category has multiple types of tires for various conditions. Just as you wouldn't want to use a great summer tire in a location that will be below freezing for half the year...the times that its cold...the tires will suck big time.

Some are performance winter tires, some are snow/ice winter tires, some are ice tires...then you have the studded & non-studded. Make sure you look in the category that fits the conditions and location you'll be driving.

Good luck.