I Took My 8 Out in The Snow With the Stock Tires for the 1st Time...
#51
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Originally Posted by Roaddemon
With my snow tires the rx8 handles, tracks,stops, corners, and takes off better than any front wheel drive I've owned with all season tires. You need SNOW TIRES dude. I live in a snow climate(Wisconsin) We already have had 6 inches of snow. I go out in the 8 just for fun when it snows. It's great.
#52
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Originally Posted by RotoRocket
Jeager asked a pretty good question.
It only snows in southeastern Michigan ablout 6-10 times per year, so has anyone had any success in the snow with a good set of all-season tires that were maybe biased slightly towards snow and ice traction?
That would be very cool if I could find an all-season set, that handles well in the dry and wet, but gave me 80% of the capability in the snow of a good snow tire.
It only snows in southeastern Michigan ablout 6-10 times per year, so has anyone had any success in the snow with a good set of all-season tires that were maybe biased slightly towards snow and ice traction?
That would be very cool if I could find an all-season set, that handles well in the dry and wet, but gave me 80% of the capability in the snow of a good snow tire.
Since then, I did have trouble in one severe storm last year... it was especially icy and it took some effort get the car moving from a stop on an uphill. But lots of other cars were having the same problem and otherwise it was fine.
I wanted Pirelli PZero Nero M+Ss, but they were out of stock when I needed tires so I got the Contis. From the reviews here and at tirerack, the PZeros aren't as good in the snow, but are better dry road performers. My original plan was to sell my stock tires, but I don't like the Contis' reduced steering feedback and increased body roll (though they grip better than the stock Potenzas). So when I found a set of used stock tires/rims online, I picked em up and now I run with the Contis only during the winter.
Do a search and you'll find lots of threads about this.
#53
Originally Posted by RotoRocket
Jeager asked a pretty good question.
It only snows in southeastern Michigan ablout 6-10 times per year, so has anyone had any success in the snow with a good set of all-season tires that were maybe biased slightly towards snow and ice traction?
That would be very cool if I could find an all-season set, that handles well in the dry and wet, but gave me 80% of the capability in the snow of a good snow tire.
It only snows in southeastern Michigan ablout 6-10 times per year, so has anyone had any success in the snow with a good set of all-season tires that were maybe biased slightly towards snow and ice traction?
That would be very cool if I could find an all-season set, that handles well in the dry and wet, but gave me 80% of the capability in the snow of a good snow tire.
The Avon Tech M550 seems to generally get really good reviews. I'll probably be taking this route when my RE040s wear out (26k miles and plenty of tread left - go figure).
#55
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i just bought the avons a couple of months ago and it appears tonight will be my first test in the snow with them.
the OEM tires were absolutely HORRIBLE (I can't stress this enough) in the snow. the one time i drove my 8 in about 2" snow with the OE tires on them was probably the scariest experience of my life. ANY type of acceleration/decceleration and you would fish tale.
i'm crossing my fingers and hoping my car isn't a death trap tonight with my all-seasons like it was with the high-performance.
the OEM tires were absolutely HORRIBLE (I can't stress this enough) in the snow. the one time i drove my 8 in about 2" snow with the OE tires on them was probably the scariest experience of my life. ANY type of acceleration/decceleration and you would fish tale.
i'm crossing my fingers and hoping my car isn't a death trap tonight with my all-seasons like it was with the high-performance.
#56
Amazingly, some people still don't get it!
Reading the "driving in snow" threads here and on miata.net and on vwvortex.com (I have a MazdaSpeed Miata, and I had a VW GTI 337, both of which came with summer/performance tires), I sense that some people don't "get" the fact that summer tires are not meant to be used in the winter. Period. Maybe some think that "summer" tires only means they perform a little better when it's warm. No! Summer tires are not meant to be used in winter condtions. I would think this is a pretty easy concept to understand, but apparently it's not. I read post after post about how "I took my RX-8 out in the snow for the first time today and it totally sucked—what a horrible winter car this is!!" That's like going to Spain with an English-Italian dictionary and then complaining about how horrible the dictionary is.
Two simple facts:
1) Most cars come with all-season tires. All-season tires will work in snow and ice (though not especially well). Your RX-8 did not come with all-season tires; it came with summer tires.
2) Driving with summer tires in snow or ice is not an option.
Two simple facts:
1) Most cars come with all-season tires. All-season tires will work in snow and ice (though not especially well). Your RX-8 did not come with all-season tires; it came with summer tires.
2) Driving with summer tires in snow or ice is not an option.
#57
Originally Posted by glxyjones
i just bought the avons a couple of months ago and it appears tonight will be my first test in the snow with them.
Let us know how the Avons take to the snow...
#58
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Originally Posted by Three37ny
I sense that some people don't "get" the fact that summer tires are not meant to be used in the winter. Period.
So I assumed the same was true for the RX-8. While many people on this forum talked about how bad driving was in snow, I assumed that with sufficient care I could drive safely, particularly with a manual transmission. January two years ago it snowed here in Richmond, VA covering the roads for the first time that winter (about an inch). I was surprised to discover that no matter how I drove (with the Potenzas) the RX-8 could not be operated safely. It was completely unstable and I ultimately had to abandon the car at a friends house on the other side of town.
In retrospect, I realized that because I had never before driven on a set of "summer" tires, I never "got it" that the tires were essentially dangerous in winter conditions. Apparently all the RX-8s handling/braking technology (50/50 weight distribution, ABS, LSD, TCS, DSC) assumes that at least one wheel has substantive contact with the pavement, which is not the case with summer tires in snow. Luckily I learned this lesson without damaging either my 8, myself or anyone else.
I write this while looking out my window at the 4 inches of snow that fell this afternoon. My 8 is safely in the garage and will stay there until the snow melts. Snow is too infrequent here to justify winter or even all-season tires (which would definitely solve the problem). However, my mind goes back to that frightening afternoon two years ago when I learned the hard way something that never sank in from all the advice on this forum.
#59
Originally Posted by msrecant
Having made this exact mistake I think I can speak to this issue. Over the years, I have driven many cars that performed poorly in snow but no matter how bad the car/tires were, I was always able to find some combination of speed/gearing that (at least on flat or slightly inclined roads) allowed me to drive safely, albeit slowly.
So I assumed the same was true for the RX-8. While many people on this forum talked about how bad driving was in snow, I assumed that with sufficient care I could drive safely, particularly with a manual transmission. January two years ago it snowed here in Richmond, VA covering the roads for the first time that winter (about an inch). I was surprised to discover that no matter how I drove (with the Potenzas) the RX-8 could not be operated safely. It was completely unstable and I ultimately had to abandon the car at a friends house on the other side of town.
In retrospect, I realized that because I had never before driven on a set of "summer" tires, I never "got it" that the tires were essentially dangerous in winter conditions. Apparently all the RX-8s handling/braking technology (50/50 weight distribution, ABS, LSD, TCS, DSC) assumes that at least one wheel has substantive contact with the pavement, which is not the case with summer tires in snow. Luckily I learned this lesson without damaging either my 8, myself or anyone else.
I write this while looking out my window at the 4 inches of snow that fell this afternoon. My 8 is safely in the garage and will stay there until the snow melts. Snow is too infrequent here to justify winter or even all-season tires (which would definitely solve the problem). However, my mind goes back to that frightening afternoon two years ago when I learned the hard way something that never sank in from all the advice on this forum.
So I assumed the same was true for the RX-8. While many people on this forum talked about how bad driving was in snow, I assumed that with sufficient care I could drive safely, particularly with a manual transmission. January two years ago it snowed here in Richmond, VA covering the roads for the first time that winter (about an inch). I was surprised to discover that no matter how I drove (with the Potenzas) the RX-8 could not be operated safely. It was completely unstable and I ultimately had to abandon the car at a friends house on the other side of town.
In retrospect, I realized that because I had never before driven on a set of "summer" tires, I never "got it" that the tires were essentially dangerous in winter conditions. Apparently all the RX-8s handling/braking technology (50/50 weight distribution, ABS, LSD, TCS, DSC) assumes that at least one wheel has substantive contact with the pavement, which is not the case with summer tires in snow. Luckily I learned this lesson without damaging either my 8, myself or anyone else.
I write this while looking out my window at the 4 inches of snow that fell this afternoon. My 8 is safely in the garage and will stay there until the snow melts. Snow is too infrequent here to justify winter or even all-season tires (which would definitely solve the problem). However, my mind goes back to that frightening afternoon two years ago when I learned the hard way something that never sank in from all the advice on this forum.
Exactly what I have been intending to say all along. Thank you for the wonderful way you emphasized my point to those who think I'm an idiot for making this kind of assumption.
This is the first car I've owned that had the kind of "OEM tires turn into stone with zero tread in cold temperatures, and are utterly useless in snow" stock summer-only tires.
Thus, my horror behind the wheel at the seasons first snowfall.
My bad. Lesson learned.
#60
Originally Posted by Deslock
I run Continental Contact Extremes on 18" rims without TCS/DSC: https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=48055
Since then, I did have trouble in one severe storm last year... it was especially icy and it took some effort get the car moving from a stop on an uphill. But lots of other cars were having the same problem and otherwise it was fine.
I wanted Pirelli PZero Nero M+Ss, but they were out of stock when I needed tires so I got the Contis. From the reviews here and at tirerack, the PZeros aren't as good in the snow, but are better dry road performers. My original plan was to sell my stock tires, but I don't like the Contis' reduced steering feedback and increased body roll (though they grip better than the stock Potenzas). So when I found a set of used stock tires/rims online, I picked em up and now I run with the Contis only during the winter.
Do a search and you'll find lots of threads about this.
Since then, I did have trouble in one severe storm last year... it was especially icy and it took some effort get the car moving from a stop on an uphill. But lots of other cars were having the same problem and otherwise it was fine.
I wanted Pirelli PZero Nero M+Ss, but they were out of stock when I needed tires so I got the Contis. From the reviews here and at tirerack, the PZeros aren't as good in the snow, but are better dry road performers. My original plan was to sell my stock tires, but I don't like the Contis' reduced steering feedback and increased body roll (though they grip better than the stock Potenzas). So when I found a set of used stock tires/rims online, I picked em up and now I run with the Contis only during the winter.
Do a search and you'll find lots of threads about this.
Consumer Reports recommends a snow tire called a Vulcan, which is one of the least expensive tires, and which they claim handles better on dry and wet pavement than typical snow tires.
#61
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Originally Posted by RotoRocket
My bad. Lesson learned.
So the real question is: have you changed the tires yet?
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Originally Posted by Three37ny
That's like going to Spain with an English-Italian dictionary and then complaining about how horrible the dictionary is.
Originally Posted by RotoRocket
This is the first car I've owned that had the kind of "OEM tires turn into stone with zero tread in cold temperatures
#63
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Originally Posted by Deslock
The stock tires' traction is reduced in cold weather, but it's not as bad as some make it out to be. I've read posts here stating that the Potenzas shouldn't be used below 40 degrees (F), but I haven't noticed much of a difference down to the low-mid 30s.
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Actually the summer tires are not safe below 40*. They get hard and loose traction rather easily. They also produce a rough ride at low temperatures. my next set of tires is going to be the avons all seasons. I can run them longer into the year without worry of getting caught in early snow slippery situations without my snows on the car.
#66
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Originally Posted by Jeager76
Avons are just about 500 for a set right?
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/Compar...=All&x=71&y=12
#67
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I have the Dunlop Winter sprt M3s on right now. Payed $179 each for 18s at tire rack. They work perfectly in the snow and ice. Take it from me. This is my 3rd winter with the 8. The first 2 were with stock tires and I was scared out of my mind on many occasions and just knew I was going to wreck her. It worked out perfectly for me cause my stock tires were so bald I had to get new tires. Next spring I'll buy new summer tires. looking forward to researching the best ones. Don't know if I'll go with the stock Potenzas again, maybe, I don't know.
#70
Up until yesterday I had been riding on Kumho SPTs and I thought they were working out pretty well for being summer tires. Then I put my Dunlop M3 snows on and what a difference. The Kumhos are awesome warm weather tires, and moderate cold weather tires, but the M3s made the 8 feel like it was summer all over again.
#71
Originally Posted by RotoRocket
***Update - Most 17" after market rims that I had hoped to mount my winter tires on reportedly screw with the Mazda Tire Pressure Monitoring System!!!
SONOFABITCH!!!
SONOFABITCH!!!
#72
Purveyor of fine bass
Originally Posted by RotoRocket
***Update - Most 17" after market rims that I had hoped to mount my winter tires on reportedly screw with the Mazda Tire Pressure Monitoring System!!!
SONOFABITCH!!!
SONOFABITCH!!!
#73
Originally Posted by Astral
What's the big deal? I have 17" rims that have no TPMS (and don't allow it probably). My light starts to flicker about 10 mins into driving. I kinda don't care. I will cover it with a sticker later.
#74
Originally Posted by Roaddemon
Actually the summer tires are not safe below 40*. They get hard and loose traction rather easily. They also produce a rough ride at low temperatures. my next set of tires is going to be the avons all seasons. I can run them longer into the year without worry of getting caught in early snow slippery situations without my snows on the car.
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Originally Posted by Asmoran
I haven't had any problems driving in low-30's weather on the potenzas. No problems stopping, accidentally breaking traction, or anything.