Hi guys, I'm Brad. I got a "Cincinnati area" snow tire question. For those of you that drive your 8 year round (using snow tires in the winter months) which type of snow tires did you go with, performance snow, studless ice and snow, or all season? I have perviously parked my 8 for the winter but have had a change of heart this year. Thanks for your input.

 

I drive my 8 "year round", not counting the months she sits in the shop waiting for parts (/snort lol) I have all seasons on mine and have done okay. Last winter it was a fun adventure but we made it the 96 mile round trip to school and back during the snow as seen below...though it was exciting. I wouldn't want to do that every day for sure but if you don't have too many steep hills that go un-plowed all seasons should work for you if you drive with common sense.

 

When I first moved to Cincinnati in 2008, I had 4 month old Yokohama all-seasons on my 8. I got stuck in the ice storm on Christmas eve for 4 hours. Although that was only one of the snow related occurrences I had with my 8 that winter season.

I know that if I am going to drive it it will be with either performance winter or studless ice and snow. The studless are almost $200 less a set but seem like overkill for the amount of snow we get in the area.

 

Bradley,
I garaged mine last year, but drove it all year round the year before. I ran Blizzaks in the winter when i did drive. I had no problems getting from Mt. Washington to downtown and back regardless of what route i took. The 8 is leaps and bounds better in the snow w/ Blizzaks than my winter beater is with it's cheapy snow tires. I just don't care if i wreck the beater so it gets the nod in the winter.

There are plenty of people that drive on all seasons in 8's that get more snow than us, but most of them don't have our hills. Go with a dedicated snow tire. You'll still have to fight ground clearance issues though. There was at least one day I called off because i didn't feel like plowing the road with my bumper.


Chief: Kytten called it. The lock to lock with the wheel should clear up most of your warning lights.


BB8 & Tact: How'd the fender rolling go? I ended up being at work until about 4, so I didn't make it up.

 

bradley
I drive my car all year around and been doing so for 7 years... it's a 2004... now... if you can have dedicated snow tires do it (insurance)... we don't have a lot of snow, but its good to have some grip with the ice... now it also depends on your drive and where you live... I do fields ertel on 71 to 275 to rt4 every day, and I get around with all seasons, but I generally add some salt bags on the back for a bit of weight... but I try to avoid hills... it's no fun!! hehehe

BB8/Tact: show us the results!!

 

Did you go with the WS60 studless or the LM60 performance?

 

If it had a personalized plate then it was her. The exhaust is a Magnaflow. Nice to hear she's driving hers instead of the Speed! I'll try to force myself to bring it to Fuel while I'm home, it's just so hard when the weather is nice and I miss so much of being able to drive the 'vert anyway.

Thanks for the input on the warning lights, I knew about turning the wheels to reset the TCS system but not the others. I'll let her know.

 

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. Hills in my case are unavoidable it seems with living in Mt. Washington and being a student at UC.

 

I want to say that they were the LM60's or whatever the previous version was. I sold them to Tacti, so he might be able to answer that.

Either one would be fine though.

If she still has a CEL, that won't be reset by the wheel turn, but you'll be able to check and clear it with your AP.

 

I'm just operating from memory, but I remember a bunch of lights being on when I had an electrical problem in my taillight. A wire in the harness leading the the third taillight breaks over time, and if it shorts, it blows a fuse. If the fuse is blown, a bunch of lights come on. The fix is to tear apart that harness and replace the wires. THEN replace the fuse.

 

IIRC, those are the lights that come on when you get your taillight problem.

There is a wiring harness leading to the third taillight that suffers fatigue every time you open and close your trunk. Eventually that wire breaks and shorts out. When it shorts, it takes the fuse with it and you get tons of lights. Check that fuse, and if it's blown, tear apart that wiring harness and replace some of the wire.

 

I will be buying some Blizzaks at the end of October. A must have! I had Blizzaks on my s2k a few winters ago before moving to AZ and I didnt have any problem at all. I got pulled over by a cop in Tri County because he was having a hard time and I just passed him going 38 in a 40 while he was still trying to gain traction in his Explorer. He pulled me over and told me to drive safe. I proceeded to tell him that I was perfectly fine and was going under the speed limit.

So Blizzaks are the winter tire that I highly recommend. Got me everywhere without any..and I mean without any problems in the small s2k.

Snow tire for sure. Leave the all seasons alone. They are junk.

 

Awesome, thanks for the info. If you buy before the 1st of October from Tire Rack you get $50 back...

 

Yeah I know.

I will think about it. I am not sure if I want to pay the $600 for new tires or pay half for used ones. But I do not like buying used tires. Never know what you will get. So its a tough decision.

 

I expect to see all of you that are in town at the premier of SENNA at The Esquire Theater in Clifton.

I don't have opening times yet, but here's the MW section thread so you can tell me you're coming.

https://www.rx8club.com/mw-rx-8-forum-31/senna-theaters-cincy-oct-7th-223536/

If you don't know who Senna was, sell your car. NAO

It's amazing how a few people being really annoying about something can get it done. I started off email the owners of the theater about getting Senna, then spread the word. It caught like wildfire in my circle of friends, and we were able to get a response from the theater, and now a set date for the movie. I'm actually going to call the theater group today or tomorrow and see if i can hash out some plans for a release party.

 

Guess who has his hands ALL over Lucy this morning? Ahem "Rotary Kyten"

 

RX8ohiotech, do you work at a Mazda dealership? I have a few questions for you.

 

Does anyone have some stock series I wheels with tires and TPMS they're looking to unload?

 

Rzoops:

I don't, but this might be of interest to you https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...95&postcount=1

 

Anyone know where I can go other than dealership to program the credit card key for an 07 RX8? The credit card key that I have doesn't work anymore and I have tried a few batteries and it doesn't work. Its the fob. So I know I will need to buy a new fob but do not want to spend the $$ to have it reprogrammed to the car. I only have one key since the lady before me couldn't find the second set..

 

Check this thread out about reprogramming the key cards. Might work for the 8.

http://www.mazdaforum.com/forum/mazd...?ref=ccm-ext-1

 

Are we really doing the photoshoot on the 15th?... I could've done the 8th, but I'll be down in NC from the 14th-23rd I think. Was looking forward to it too

 

Hey all, anybody know anyone or a shop that could replace a blown clutch?! My 8 is at Kings Mazda and they want like 1600.00 to replace a stock clutch. I would do it myself but I just dont have time anymore. Any ideas?

 

Mazda, thank you for that..but my problem is, I only have one credit card key and that one doesn't work anymore. It is calling for two to program a different one to work.

 

I actually have some if you're interested. The tires are Yokohama E100s. I'm in Columbus right now but will be back either the weekend of the 8th or the 15th if you want to look at them.