Yes, today! Anderson Ford in Clinton Illinois is the closest dyno to me. It is a dynojet. Its just for the baseline runs. I already know my compression is good. Had that checked a couple of weeks ago.

 

Chet,

Would definitely be cool if you made it to autobahn. I've just been there to observe. It would be interesting to hear initial impressions on your first track day with you having done autocross up to this point. Never did any autocrossing myself - insurance doesn't cover me if I'm competing. Plus I didn't know if I'd be up to working all day, which it sounds like you have to do at most events. But I'd like to come out and watch one sometime to see what it's all about.

 

The more the merrier but I prefer to call it the "Team".

 

Did I ever tell the one about the crow that deepthroated a hot dog and flew away?

 

^ yes, I've heard that story. ew ....

 

So, once again we hit that time of year where the often-asked question pops up:

Do I really need snow tires?

The answer is sort of ... you can get dedicated snow tires (mounted on your stock wheels, or purchase 17" or 18" wheels for them) or you can go with all-seasons. But you HAVE to get something other than the OEM stock tires.

All of you seasoned veterans, please feel free to chime in on snow horror stories. Seems we all think we can get by, and then realize it just isn't worth it (cuz the OEM tires turn to hockey pucks in the cold)

My horror story (isn't even that awful):
Couldn't get up my driveway (and it wasn't a steep hill at all). It was shoveled and clear, and the wheels were just spinning as I slid backward. The terrifying moment for me: the thought of leaving my baby parked on the street to duke it out with those huge snow plows who would either plow her in or hit her

 

ok, i will try. doesnt seem too far away. as long as we can have a drive together im in.

 

As has been stated before...it all depends on where you drive whether all-seaons will suffice or if snows are needed. For me, I commute on backroads through the country that are not cleared all that well, so I went with snows - (Dunlop Wintersport M3's on 18" Kazeras). Other people who drive on more main roads have been pleased with all seasons.

 

Just do like me and store your car for the winter. I do have a set of all seasons tho...

 

Lucky bastid ...

 

Mine's on the road year-round...tho if snow gets bad, I drive the wife's SUV...

 

Thanks! It is on jackstands right now just sitting there suspended and looking pretty.

 

Most of the time my wife and I drive together in the SUV. When that doesn't work I drive the 96 Ranger and she drives the SUV. I store the 8 from Dec 1 - March 1 so that my insurance is cheaper. This year its having a little work done while it sleeps.

 

yea like a turbo kit you lucky sob

 

heh, modest

 

With all this talk of snow/snow tires, when is the optimum time to install them?

I have a set of blizzaks and rims, but I'd hate to put them on only to wear prematurely. Is it a safe bet to throw them on when (before) the 1st major snow hits? Also how much will these tires wear when there's no snow on the roads, but the temps are below freezing?

Thanks in advance!

Bernie

 

That depends on what your primary type of tires are. If you have summer performance tires they should be off the car by the time the temps are steadily in the low 40's.

 

I have the stockers from the factory (dunlop if I recall correctly).

So in your opinion the blizzaks won't wear down prematurely if I install them now? (roads have been pretty dry, but the temps are below 40)

 

They will wear a bit quicker but they are much safer than the stock dunlops. I would not still be riding around on those tires. I bought all-seasons and swapped out to them several weeks ago.

 

I put mine on the weekend after Thanksgiving unless it has snowed prior to that (then they go on immediately). This will be my third winter on them (fourth overall, as I bought them used) and they really show very little wear at all.

Good to know that falls right into the above-mentioned suggestions by mac

 

Like RSD, this will be my third winter on my snows, and mine too show very little wear - granted, I do tone down my driving over the winter months as well, but I wouldn't be concerned about the wear in the temps we have right now. The weather around here is too unpredictable to get caught out in the stock summer tires.

 

And just as its said we get a mid 40's day again. LOL!

 

not here, its 25

 

I knew I needed something different when I was lighting up the OEM rear tires under very light throttle when it was in the mid 40s and raining. I was having to do second gear starts in the rain just to get going.

 

Alright I wasn't sure where to post this. But I'm guessing you all would know the best place closest to me to take my 8 in. Last week I checked my oil and found a bunch of anti-freeze on the dip stick. There were no real problems other than rough idleing and a gross smell when I first start it. So I went and had the oil changed, test driven, and changed again. Because the anti-freeze level wasn't low, in fact full. So, I figured maybe it was sabatoge and nothing was leaking. But low and behold again there is anti-freeze all over my dip stick.

Questions are, anyone else ever have this problem, where is the best place to have them check it out near Downers Grove. NOT the Mazda dealership on Ogden cause I took it there a month before and they didn't see a problem anywhere and after I had them give me an oil change is when I noticed the anti-freeze. And what problems could possibly be causing this?