secret8gent

http://tlc.off-road.com/tlc/Cheap+Tr.../detail/264195

^^^ not a definitive source but good enough. (Didn't anyone see the top gear polar special? hehe)

Astral and RMZ, more pressure would decrease your contact patches, yes, but unless your able to dig in [to the ground] everywhere I don't see how that would help you get moving when you're stuck. I run a narrow (215) tire already, because narrow is better for snow (don't need wide - it will 'float' more like you said especially when cornering, while still not giving any advantage when stuck in the snow - you'll just have to dig out/break through to a wider path), but when you're pulling along on packed snow/ice with little chance of break-through; the more contact you have the better. (For the record I'm talking about sub-20mph speeds here.)

To sum up a skinny+tall patch is advantageous for moving forward/backward. (As opposed to a wide+short of course...) Obviously a tall sidewall is also needed to take advantage of lower pressures creating a taller patch.

Final note: this is really only important for the driven wheels, the fronts could be a pair of skis...

Astral

Interesting. I always thought that a smaller contact patch would help you compress snow harder (hence general narrow winter tire trend), even if you can't push all the way through to the ground. And it seems that on fresh snow, that's still the case (because it gets compressed and stays that way). But on wet snow/slush, like what i was having fun with yesterday, the snow won't stay compressed. So maybe lower pressure would've helped then. On ice, yeah, larger contact patch definitely makes sense.

Tigger

iTrader: (3)

Studs, Definatly!!!!

I run Nokian Hakkapelitas, currently Studded Hak 2's, though with this being my 5th winter??? can that be right! wow how the time flys since I bought them in Nov 2003... they are getting a bit worn out... and the key to a great snow tire in the snow is tire depth, as well as the noby tire design that can penetrate the snow, rather then sit on top of it.

I think I will look at the newer Hak 4's or maybe the 5's though I can't say the tread pattern on the 5's look as good for raw snow gripping, probably quiter on dry roads... but lets face it, once you go with the studs, quite is no longer an option you should be considering.

I run 17 inch rims (smallest that fit over the calipers) with 225/55's I would go narrower, but that would mean loosing some height, and a taller profile also helps as it eliminates some torque... as for going narrower and taller... well anything taller wouldn't fit in the wheel wheels! Besides these happen to match the speedo as if they were the origional tires... according to my nav they are spot on... which helps so I know how fast I'm going on the dry snowless days.

As for the studs, I think they are the best thing going, if you live in an area that might see freezing rain for even one day... I'm offten asked why I bother for such a rare occasional event... and I simply say, I hate thinking I can't go out because of the weather or getting stuck at work nervous with freezing rain. So I go all out, if they help save my life even one day a year, there worth it. Of course, they don't help when some idiot tailgates and then can't stop... but that is another matter.

If you are in an all snow only area, the studs don't really do anything, there really for ice or really hard packed snow... but with the freezing rain we see in southern NH and northern MA, they make a lot of sense.

I would highly recommend these tires to anyone looking for a serious set of snow tires... they are NOT cheap... but they are the best, and I can attest to the fact that I've gone down roads litterred with SUV's off in the ditch with there All Season tires and not had any issues at all, in a rear wheel drive sports car no less! I do love my 8.

And on another note, I've seen many comments on driving with the summers... put it this way, summer vs. winter tires is like the difference between walking in two feet of snow with running shoes vs. snow shoes... all seasons are great for florida, but I would rank them about the same as hiking boots.

The right sneakers make all the difference, I don't care what you drive or how many wheels you have driving you.

And if you've got it... keep the traction control on (unless your just enjoying the occasional donut in a nice parking lot)! Heck I have yet to meet someone who can feather a clutch at a slippery icey/snow covered intersection from a dead stand still better then the traction control can do.

Just my thoughts... but I tend to be a little crazzy and enjoy the chalenges of driving in the worst of the snow out there... I'm the guy who looks out the window at 11pm with 2 inches of fresh snow on the ground and says... time to go practice the winter driving, lets find a nice parking lot and play!

--Tig

Tigger

iTrader: (3)

Wow, didn't realize I wrote that much... bet that's enough to stop a person from reading!

WAR CRUNK

stuck in the snow...worst thing thats ever happend to me..rt 9. trying to get back to sudbury...i was stuck so bad i almost cried.

Smoke Honda

iTrader: (1)

No ****. I didn't know that the 8 beeps when redlined in reverse. Good to know.

toxin440

what is all that white stuff? ive never seen any of that down here in texas....

it was damn near 75F today :-)

laythor

Leaving Nor Cal in 3 hours to fly to Boston, I hate the snow.

HolyCross05

I'd take 10 ft of snow over living in Texas

flyboi1121

i turn off my dsc and my car inches forward as i floor it turning my steering side to side lol. drive safe man