And wow, what a difference... In a BAD way...

Today was my first day with them on (17" graspic's on steelies)

And I could not believe how much traction I've lost...
On any slightly wet surface, they're all over the road..
Top of second gear, with the flick of the wheel gets the car sliding...

I've had winters before (but never on a RWD) and I've not had such a lack of traction...

Anybody notice similar results?

 

emmm.... nope. If anything I'm getting more grip outta my Michie Alpins then the crap (and for all intensive purposes bald) dunlops I got on my summers. It's just too bad I'll be living off of instant noodle for the next little awhile as a result of getting them

 

18" + Dunlop Wintersport M3's FTMFW....

haha sorry I just had to say that

https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...8&postcount=27

 

Thanks...

I wonder if its an issue with the tires?
I've got them inflated to 35lbs...

Maybe its got to do with the 16 degree weather we had today?

I don't know what to think!

 

swifty, thats the problem, in the warm temps we've been having, the graspics you have are so soft, the tread is squirming all over the place. my yokos are the same way. you may loose alot of grip now, but when you are on ice, you will be glad. also, the loss of grip now is gonna make you start to drive slower, better preparing you for when the snow falls anyways.

Greg

 

Enjoy it, I complained on here years ago about spending 8 seconds of my life several times a day turning that damn TSC/DSC off. The 8 may be the easiest car to toss about, as was my little Miata because it only had 195's on it.

I still have my original Dunlops on my 8, not quite up to the wear indicators but they slide around more now...too much fun. Just gotta watch for that freak'n new street racing law that'll impound you for any amount of wheel slippage!

My Viking snows (225/45/17) actually grip surprisingly well in the dry...almost too well.

 

My Icebear's grip far better in the wet then my summers ever did. As long as it is not freakishly hot out, winter tires should have better wet traction. That is what they are designed for (all those little squeege-like cuts in the tread pattern.

 

Thats cause they suck! (lol) Michelin's all the way man!

 

wow good thing i dont have to worry about winter tires and what not

 

i bought a new set of blizzak ws-60's (studless snow) for this upcoming winter and i've got the same issue

previous winter set was pirelli sottozero 210 (winter performance)

a step down in terms of handling now, but i'm waiting for the snow to come down before i cry foul.

 

good points.. Except #84 LOL
we'll have to revisit when we get some snow!

 

Haha i'm running the same shoes as footman (on 17's), Mmm I'm noticing a slight change in grip, nothing huge, but enough to notice....I'm running 215/55/17's normally running 245/40/18...gah I miss the fat juicy tires

 

Those Pirelli Snowsport 210 are truly dreadful in the snow. As far as I'm concern they're more like all-season tires. Great dry handling though like you said.

 

i believe there is some difference between the snowsport and the sottozero... but yes, i've heard them referred to as 2-season tires (winter and half-season into and out of) basically a summer tire that does not get quite so hard in the cold.

here's some links:

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....+210+SnowSport

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....+210+Sottozero

 

I'm a little worried my Hankook Icebear W300 will be the same way. I guess I'll wait for the first snow fall

 

Buy Dunlop Wintersport M3's and you'll never have doubt or look back. This is my 2nd winter. I went through that treacherous winter last season with no problems.

Note that I never said to go buy 18's like I did. You can buy them in your 17's if you like, but these are really good winter performance tires.

 

Adjusted my tire pressure (lower, especially in the rear) and today was also much colder, handling was greatly improved.
(Had the pressure a bit higher than normal during break-in...)

YMMV, but check your pressure.

 

I have the 210 Sottozeros. I have had no issues in the snow nor the cold. I suppose I don't particularily drive the car that hard though and I don't go out when the snow is very deep.

 

I am getting 17'' as well, but it is becoming a bitch to get the steel rims that will fit my 2005, do you mind sharing the specs of your rims...test fitted a set the last time and they wouldn't clear the calipers....thanks