SNOW!!!

[Chris and Thelma]

No Jeff, that was a different bad boy altogether.

How have things been down in Iowa? Have you finished this semester yet? I have a paper to complete and one more exam and then I'm a free man for about three weeks.

[jefferios]

I have 3 finals this week and then I'm done for 3 weeks as well.

[jefferios]

Today while driving in 4-5 inches of unplowed streets with the Blizzak's the Smart was sill unstoppable! Amazing tires, what a fun day!

[jimvw57]

Sounds like we are going to have some weather to deal with for a few days....

[blackbeagle]

I just got back from doing some afternoon errands around town. It's really nasty outside. It's been snowing non-stop since morning. I plowed my driveway once already and have to redo it again in a few hours. People are slipping and sliding everywhere. One guy driving a Focus couldn't get out of the neighborhood because it's an uphill climb from a stop. He has to turn around. I went right up and right through.

With that said, it's still slippery even with the Blizzaks. When you're talking about this much snow, even snow tires can slide and spin. After all, there's no rubber touching the ground.

It does feel invincible at times though and makes driving still fun.

[jefferios]

Definitely, my tires did slip a bit, and I had a few very minor experiences with understeer. One amazing thing, in my Aztek last year when we had over 3 inches of snow on the driveway the car couldn't make it up the driveway. The smart can.

[MrVvrroomm]

F'n cold this morning!

[forestacademy]

Originally Posted by MrVvrroomm

F'n cold this morning!

With the Wind chill that would be G D F'n Cold

[T-smart]

With *thoroughly* detailed instructions from Jefferios (Thanks!), I called Discount Tires (St Paul - University and Hamline). They ordered new Blizzaks for me. After calling them back repeatedly for 2 blasted weeks, they reordered them (apparently UPS lost the shipment of the front tires from a warehouse in Texas... Nick eventually reordered them from Tire Rack and had them overnight FedX'd), I had my tires installed on Monday. That itself was an event, as the mechanics swarmed my car. They were looking for a socket that was small enough... Eventually they went over to NAPA and picked one up so they could appropriately torque the wheels back on... In the process, they didn't relatch the engine cover (they claimed they were looking for the socket in there, MmmHmmm...).

Anyways, it took an hour and $484, but I drove home with the new snow tires installed, and the Conti's in my truck (yes, really, they fit, though I was a bit squished up front). I suspect that Discount Tires will be much faster in the future...

Today I took it out in the midst of the snow in St Paul, where we had about 4". I drove on the median a few times to test them. I was able to break loose a couple times, but that was with some effort. Yea! I'm thrilled.

Thanks for all the advice on the net! I really appreciate it! As do, I'm sure, all the people I won't otherwise slide into this winter...

Now I just need a set of rims, so I don't have to pay that blasted remounting cost each season... Any good leads?

[T-smart]

You know, now that I have good snow tires, has anyone looked into installing a plow kit? My Smart is narrow enough that I could plow the sidewalks and driveways on our block. I wonder if that would void any warranties...