winter woes
July-29th-2002, 12:19 AM
#1
Protege Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: t-o
Posts: 8
winter woes
hey folks, have gotten a case of the new car fever as of late and am seriously considering an '03 P5. read what there is to read in the old posts but i'm wondering if anyone's had theirs through a winter yet and how she takes to the snow?
esp like to hear from other canadian bretheren who know what proper winter is all about!
cheers in advance
esp like to hear from other canadian bretheren who know what proper winter is all about!
cheers in advance
July-29th-2002, 07:38 AM
#4
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Hamilton, ON
Posts: 323
Originally posted by 90&00 Protege
Realize that the stock 16" tires are no good for snow. Buy a set of 14" or 15" steel wheels and a good set of 185-65-R14 or 195-55-R15 (the other stock sizes on the Protege) winter tires and be happy.
Realize that the stock 16" tires are no good for snow. Buy a set of 14" or 15" steel wheels and a good set of 185-65-R14 or 195-55-R15 (the other stock sizes on the Protege) winter tires and be happy.
Stocker
July-29th-2002, 08:01 AM
#5
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 126
I live in North/Central Vermont so my experience will be similar to yours.
I ran a set of 15" steel wheels with 195/55-15 Michelin Arctic Alpins last winter and it was GREAT. $540 shipped from TireRack... best money I ever spent.
I ran a set of 15" steel wheels with 195/55-15 Michelin Arctic Alpins last winter and it was GREAT. $540 shipped from TireRack... best money I ever spent.
July-29th-2002, 10:02 AM
#6
Bruce Leroy
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
Posts: 788
I spent last winter (my first winter in the Pro) on the stock "Poortenzas". I actually thought they weren't too bad...until we had a freak snow/ice storm and I slid into a concrete barrier when I was barely moving after a dead stop to make a corner. That sucked 
I highly suggest getting a good set of winter tires set on seperate steel rims. That way you'll get more use out of the stock tires and alloys AND will have much better traction.
I highly suggest getting a good set of winter tires set on seperate steel rims. That way you'll get more use out of the stock tires and alloys AND will have much better traction.
July-29th-2002, 10:12 AM
#7
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Troy, Michigan
Posts: 186
I didn't think the Dunlops on my P5 were too bad last winter but they were vitually new with only about 3-4000 miles on them. I will not run them this year,tho. The edges of the treadblocks are worn as well as some of the siping being completely gone. Now comes the tough call. Do I buy 17's and new summer tires, getting 16" snows for the factory alloys or go the 15" steel or alloy with snows route? I like the factory alloys but also like how the car looks with 17's. I guess a lot depends on how much overtime there is between now and december!
Jeff M.
Jeff M.
July-29th-2002, 10:20 AM
#8
Mazdago 1931
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Finland
Posts: 296
I've got -99 Protege with 14" 175/65 stud tires and winter performance is ok but not really good. Especially I miss traction control. My gen1 beats this newer protege any time in ice and snow but it's mostly 'cause of tires.
Otherwise Protege is really good car in winter (here in Finland winter is about 6 months long ). Car is really warm and it warms up pretty fast.
Otherwise Protege is really good car in winter (here in Finland winter is about 6 months long
). Car is really warm and it warms up pretty fast.
July-29th-2002, 11:13 AM
#12
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Montreal, QC, Canada
Posts: 58
Originally posted by AV8R
oi, is there any rear defrost? all signs point to 'no' according to the specs
??
oi, is there any rear defrost? all signs point to 'no' according to the specs
??
Cheers,
Eric
July-29th-2002, 11:57 AM
#14
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 173
Brigestone Blizacks or whatever are by far the best tires I have seen in the snow! 
Go with the smaller tires as the the larger sport tires ride on top of the snow, and smaller thiner tires dig into snow and get better traction. "Pizza cutter effect" The bigger wider tires look awesome, but give that nice fish tail effect that causes uncontrollable conditions
Go with the smaller tires as the the larger sport tires ride on top of the snow, and smaller thiner tires dig into snow and get better traction. "Pizza cutter effect" The bigger wider tires look awesome, but give that nice fish tail effect that causes uncontrollable conditions
July-29th-2002, 12:28 PM
#15
Protege Newbie
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 11
My girlfriend has a 2001 ES sedan and it was terrific in the snow on the stock wheels. In comparison, I have a 98 Corolla which has 14" Michelin tires and they are absolutely horrid in wet, snow, and even DRY conditions. I think they are MX-4s or something. Bloody awful I tell you!
I put some Michelin Alpins on my car last winter and they helped considerably, but next time I think I will go with the Blizzaks. My dad put those on his B4000 rwd truck and the difference was like night and day! With the stock tires he couldn't get up his street (hill)...with the Blizzaks, no problems.
If you live in Canada or anywhere there is regular snow and ice in the winter, then good snow tires should be the first upgrade you make. Well worth the money.
I put some Michelin Alpins on my car last winter and they helped considerably, but next time I think I will go with the Blizzaks. My dad put those on his B4000 rwd truck and the difference was like night and day! With the stock tires he couldn't get up his street (hill)...with the Blizzaks, no problems.
If you live in Canada or anywhere there is regular snow and ice in the winter, then good snow tires should be the first upgrade you make. Well worth the money.