The snow is coming down today!!!

[MNMadMan]

Originally Posted by blackbeagle

It just baffles me how you hear about people, especially ones in MN, that say they can get around just fine in their stocks. I guess they are better drivers than me. There would be no way I would drive the Smart with stocks in this condition.

Im one of those guys that is still driving with the stock tires. I guess the main reason is I hate the idea of changing tires every 6 months plus the expense of getting another set of tires.
Id rather get a good set of all season tires. Like the Nokians. But they are available only in 195/50-15. Ive been thinking very serious of getting another set of rear rims and getting a set of them. But once again, the cost factor. Right now isnt a good time to spend that kind of money.

I have been thinking about asking you Minnesota guys in and around the metro area if anyone has a set of rear wheels they might like to part with? Im looking for a set of rear steel rims with the stock rear tires on them. I think this alone would be an improvement for now. Plus I would be able to rotate tires. Then sometime this summer Ill buy the new set of Nokians to put on. This would give me a far better set of tires that I could leave on year round and I wouldnt have to get snow tires.

[forestacademy]

Adding snow tires and a second set of rims adds between 5&10% to the cost of the car. I just cant justify it when the stocks are only 2 months old. Out other daily car has stock Continentals with over 30K on them and we still drive that in the snow without any problem.

We just drive like we learned to drive in the snow as a kid.

[Wdhitch]

The local stations are saying we could have Flurries in Tampa tomorrow.



Edit: Sorry... I didn't mean to hijack the local thread... didn't notice it was a chapter thread.

[SmartJoeMN]

I'm driving around with the stockers and they aren't bad with the traction control, I pulled the fuse on the traction control and the car is out of control with those tires on there! My 93 Audi 90CS FWD has some iPike Hankook tires and its just unstopable in the snow, but I had some all seasonal Khumos and they were about the same as the smart with no TC.

[jimvw57]

It boils down to knowing the limits of what you and your car can handle.

[blackbeagle]

I remember a few weeks ago, it was a Saturday and it was coming down like crazy. Nobody was out that day. I remember a car in my neighborhood going out on the main drag. He was basically crippled driving a FWD car (I think it was an Aztek). The speed limit on that road was 50. Most people were doing about 40-45. He was doing about 30 or less. I was behind him until I got impatient and passed him.

I'm sure he got around 'just fine'. However, I don't want to drag my tail 20mph slower than everyone else. That creates a dangerous situation for me and for others. As more are passing this guy, I realize that someone driving too fast might not be able to go by him and ram right into his rear.

No one condones fast driving on snow but if you are going to be driving 20mph slower than everyone else, then you just created an unsafe environment for everybody.

With the Blizzaks, I gain some of that control back from old man winter. When you're talking about Tridion cells, ABS, ESP, etc, snow tires are the most important safety items (IMHO) on that list. The swapping out every 6 months is totally worth it for that extra safety.