Question for Winter Drivers?
 

An easy question for people who drive their P5's in the snow, how is it. To me it looks like it would get tail happy. Other than that how well does it perform in the sno/ice? Any help/info is appreciated.:D

i have a bad feeling about these dunlops in the snow and i've seen some posts confirming that feeling. if i can afford it, i'm planning on buying steelies and winter tires for the car.

The car is pretty comfortable and steady to drive on slippery surfaces IF you have decent tires. The car itself survives well especially with TCS.

What is "TCS"? Is that a traction control? The 5-speeds don't have that do they? I didn't even know the P5's had that?

Yes, traction control system. I'm not sure about P5 having it stock but in Gen3 it has been an option

we don't get that over here yet

I've been wondering about the 50 series footprint and soft tire compound on snow and ice. I priced a set of 4-195/50x16 Dunlop M&S plus 4-16" steel wheels at Tire Rack, total cost for set would be $484 plus shipping and tax. I might go that route, especially since I didn't opt for ABS on my 2002.5 MP5.

Keith Lennnop

My P5 uses Nokia Snows on 15" Steelies in the winter. If you are a competant driver the stock Dunlops are pretty good for snowy roads.

To be quite honest the only reason for the winter tires is because my wife drives the car with our son and I tend to overdue things just to be on the safe side.

In my experience with the Dunlops, I have found that they are better in the snow than in the rain. They hydroplane quite easily, and yet they have decent snow traction.

As far as how the car behaves in snow? It's solid and doesn't wag its tail. The Snows will get you out of a parking lot in 6+ inches of snow (dragging the belly a bit). That is something the Dunlops won't do.

A word for the wise... If you are going to subject the car to salt and have the polished Mazda wheels, GET THEM OFF IMMEDIATELY. The wheels will get scratched at the center portion of the rim and you'll be paying big bucks to get them polished out.

Thanks for the info!!

I think P5Freak summed it up pretty good. The Dunlops are OK in snowy conditions (way better than you would expect for a V rated 50 series tire). I have had all seasons on other cars that were not speed rated or low profile that didn't have nearly as good snow traction. I agree about the wet weather performance too - not fantastic. The Dunlops are actually really good on hard packed snow when it is very cold. I have winter tires on my other car that don't do any better than the Dunlops in those conditions. You will find snow tires advantageous if you have deep snow or ice as compared to the Dunlops.

Oh, and in response to your tail happy comment - the P5 is definitely NOT tail happy - it has enough understeer dialled into the suspension settings that this won't be an issue (as evidenced by all the autocrossers trying to get more oversteer into these cars) :)

Dale.

I ran a set of 15" steel wheels with 195/55/15 Michelin Arctic Alpins last winter with great results. Very neutral handling in snow, slush and ice.

http://www.nomadcom.com/dave/images/winter_400.jpg

hmmm i live in winnipeg, as you can see, and we tend to get a lot of snow fall, like 2 feet deep, im not kidding. Well, what i heard it is best to get new rims or wheel covers with good winter tires, especially if you are a new driver or not experienced in winter driving.

PS, when should you put winter tires on?

I'm going to put hubcaps on this year as well for a better look. I put mine on in mid-late December here in VT.

P5Freak
thanks for the info. I had Nokian NRW allseasons on my Accord and liked them a lot. I was wondering if 15"ers would fit. I'll probably put them on steelies for this winter.

Which style are you using?

the stock tires are AWSOME on snow!!!! i live in canada and it snows here every year
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