Question for Winter Drivers?
August-19th-2002, 10:05 AM
#1
Protege Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Appleton, WI
Posts: 36
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.
August-19th-2002, 11:16 AM
#5
Mazdago 1931
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Finland
Posts: 296
Originally posted by Keith Lennnop
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?
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?
August-19th-2002, 11:50 AM
#7
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 9
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.
August-19th-2002, 11:55 AM
#8
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Maine
Posts: 97
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.
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.
August-19th-2002, 12:06 PM
#10
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Atlanta, formerly Calgary
Posts: 363
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.
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.
August-19th-2002, 12:55 PM
#12
Look I changed my title!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Winnipeg
Posts: 169
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?
PS, when should you put winter tires on?
August-19th-2002, 11:16 PM
#15
I Can Be Teh W1N!!!!
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,870
the stock tires are AWSOME on snow!!!! i live in canada and it snows here every year
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Last edited by pr5owner; March-10th-2011 at 09:46 AM.