So i got my rx8 yesterday, and its been beautiful outside, although last week it was snowing and the roads fairly bad, just wondering how much sand (lbs) should i put in the back of my car over the axel. I've never driven rwd in the snow before, and i hate to do it with a new car. (and yes i would keep it out of the snow if i could, but thats not an option i have right now) any advice would be appreciated thanks

 

If you still got the standard summer tires on, you won't be going anywhere, and bags of sand will just make it hard to tow out of the ditch.

Park it, or get snow tires.

S

 

i've heard the exact same bro. until you get some winter tires, driving on snow'll be about as efective as trying to sled down a flat slope.

I've yet to take my car through a winter, but it sounds like rear weight isn't near as big of an issue as winter tires are.

 

the car came with "att terrain" tires... should i use those as summer tires and then get winter ones?

 

can't say i've the slightest as to what that stands for. Who makes them? They're not stock are they?

 

sry, all terrain.. u know use them for summer, winter... lol i duno he said it would be fine in the winter, i doubt it though?

 

forget about sand bags, just buy a set of new snow tires and rims

 

yea, those are more than like closer to summer performance than winter. Your going to definetely want a winter devoted tire.

And, as most have suggested...the fun doesn't stop there. If I were you, i'd ebay up a set of used 8 rims for those snow tires too...

I almost tear up at the thought of taking yur tires/rims to a shop twice a year to have them yank, tug and scratch your rims in attempt to change the tires off the rim. Labor prices aside...it's just not the best idea.

Just a personal opinion....but the tires AND rims should come at about the same time.

 

Last year I was on Proxes 4 during the Blizzard in NYC. I can still get out and drive around fast, gotta remove the snow around the car first of course. cuz I dont think u can get out when theres like 2 feet of snow in front of your car.

Winter tires are the best for snow of course, but I would say Im fine with All Season.

I replaced the Proxes 4 2-3 months ago with RE 960 A/S , which is even better than Proxes 4 in dry and rain. Im going to test it this winter ........ hehe

(but Im buying a set of wheels next year jus for winter tires)

Forget about the sand, but if you feel more happy ..... just leave a small bag.

 

Ive had my RX8 since June. A few months ago i was driving home from work at 5AM. It was maybe 45-50 degrees. I was cruising along at 70mph on the freeway when i hit a freak hail storm. I had almost no warning and as i tried to slow down, my car felt like it was on solid ice. I ended up in a ditch. Luckily no damage to the car.

Needless to say, i now have snow tires.

 

First, I will add to the suggestion that the summer tires are not adequate for COLD weather, let alone snow. Below 40 degrees, they are as grippy as plastic.

Second, do sonsider buying a set of snow tires mounted on wheels. The 18" snow tires alone coast as much as a set of 17" mounted on new alloys.

 

Careful... I read all about the danger of the OE tires in snow before I bought the car. Even so, the dealer who sold me my 8 told me the tires were all seasons, which I knew was Bullchit.

Get 4 snow tires, like the Dunlops or the Blizzaks, and the 8 will do great in the snow. Don't bother with that sand in the trunk nonsense; it just gives you more weight to haul around.

Driving a RWD car in the snow is a snap - just take it easy on the throttle and you'll do fine. (Spoken from 2 winters experience with the 8.)

 

alright, thanks a lot for the advice, ill go pickup some blizzaks this week

 

I hear alot of people buying 17" rims/snow tires. I was curious as to whether 16" rims and snow tires would fit on the 8? I know 17"s aren't much more, but 16" is cheaper and more available.

 

anybody?

 

Most if not all 16s won't fit around the brakes.

To the OP... Why don't you tell us what brand and model of tire you have. Would take a lot of guesswork out of the thread.

 

Thanks

 

whoever told you it would be fine in the winter lied (car saleseman?)

The car DOES NOT come with all terrain tires, and never did. It comes with summer tires, which are death on snow.

Get winter tires or you will crash.

 

16's won't fit around the brakes (unless you have the base model auto), and not all 17's fit around the brakes, but most do.

 

I just put new PZero Nero M&S A/S on mine. I really don't get enough snow to justify a dedicated set. I'll drive so much of the winter on dry roads, I bet I wouldn't get two seasons out of them. The Neros should do fine, esp. on full tread to start the season. If I get any scares, then I'll think about snows and keep my hydraulic jack accessible and switch them week-by-week if need be as the weather changes.