winter woes
July-30th-2002, 12:00 AM
#16
Protege Newbie
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: ontario, canada
Posts: 26
winter performance
this may sound like a flame but it's not......not really.
i have to laugh at all the people who say this car is crappy in the snow on stock wheels/tires. this car handles so well in the snow that if you are having problems it has to be a result of driver error. i went through the last winter in ontario (it wasn't too hard this past year) without a single hiccup in the snow. i worked at a ski resort and as a result drove down hilly snow covered side roads, as well as intown in all kinds of stuff (snow/sleet/freezing rain/ice) and the only people who had it better were the awd/4wd people. i was at a light once that stops facing uphill, and i was laughing my *** off 'cuz all these people in there suv's were spinning there tires and a couple were even sliding back down the hill and i just started from a stop and cruised right on by.
if you have a good head on your shoulders and adjust to the conditions you should actually enjoy driving this car in the winter.
BTW: AV8R, are you one?
i have to laugh at all the people who say this car is crappy in the snow on stock wheels/tires. this car handles so well in the snow that if you are having problems it has to be a result of driver error. i went through the last winter in ontario (it wasn't too hard this past year) without a single hiccup in the snow. i worked at a ski resort and as a result drove down hilly snow covered side roads, as well as intown in all kinds of stuff (snow/sleet/freezing rain/ice) and the only people who had it better were the awd/4wd people. i was at a light once that stops facing uphill, and i was laughing my *** off 'cuz all these people in there suv's were spinning there tires and a couple were even sliding back down the hill and i just started from a stop and cruised right on by.
if you have a good head on your shoulders and adjust to the conditions you should actually enjoy driving this car in the winter.
BTW: AV8R, are you one?
July-30th-2002, 07:29 AM
#18
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Hamilton, ON
Posts: 323
Re: winter performance
Originally posted by roswel
this may sound like a flame but it's not......not really.
if you have a good head on your shoulders and adjust to the conditions you should actually enjoy driving this car in the winter.
BTW: AV8R, are you one?
this may sound like a flame but it's not......not really.
if you have a good head on your shoulders and adjust to the conditions you should actually enjoy driving this car in the winter.
BTW: AV8R, are you one?
Stocker
July-30th-2002, 09:46 AM
#19
Bruce Leroy
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Calgary, AB, Canada
Posts: 788
Well we get some nice Chinooks out here and sometimes that can lead to some major ice buildup on the roads. The stock Potenzas on my Pro suck on ice. There is barely any, if any at all, traction available when it's that cold and you're on ice.
I consider myself a good winter driver, but there are just some instances that no amount of common sense can get you out of.
I consider myself a good winter driver, but there are just some instances that no amount of common sense can get you out of.
July-30th-2002, 10:05 AM
#20
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 173
Stock tires 185/ 14 are awesome in snow!!! You guys have to pay attention to what some of us are saying!!! 
When you go bigger and wider woth the sport packages, the tires ride above the snow and cause serious fishtailing! But with stock tires, I am not too worried, but will protect my investment with good quality ICE tires. As long as you have the montain and snowflake symbol I think, then you are getting awesome snow tires!! Check it out, it could save your life. The rubber is so soft and thick on snow tires that the difference is night and day!!!! 
P>S Our cars are awesome in the snow, but I would agree that the allseason tires and especially sport package (wide) tires are the worst!!!!!
When you go bigger and wider woth the sport packages, the tires ride above the snow and cause serious fishtailing! But with stock tires, I am not too worried, but will protect my investment with good quality ICE tires. As long as you have the montain and snowflake symbol I think, then you are getting awesome snow tires!! Check it out, it could save your life. The rubber is so soft and thick on snow tires that the difference is night and day!!!! P>S Our cars are awesome in the snow, but I would agree that the allseason tires and especially sport package (wide) tires are the worst!!!!!
July-30th-2002, 10:13 AM
#21
Mr. Butlertron
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Montreal, QC
Posts: 414
Stock tires 185/ 14 are awesome in snow!!! You guys have to pay attention to what some of us are saying!!! When you go bigger and wider woth the sport packages, the tires ride above the snow and cause serious fishtailing! But with stock tires, I am not too worried, but will protect my investment with good quality ICE tires. As long as you have the montain and snowflake symbol I think, then you are getting awesome snow tires!! Check it out, it could save your life. The rubber is so soft and thick on snow tires that the difference is night and day!!!!
I recommend getting some 15" rims with blizzaks for winter time. You will be safer and your mags will thank you.
July-30th-2002, 10:22 AM
#22
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Regina, SK, CA
Posts: 147
Get 14's. I have 15's because I already had a set of 15 inch winter tires and didn't want to get new tires.
When they wear out (perhaps after this winter as you don't want winter tires to get too worn) I'll get a set of 14's with Nokian's. BTW, as far as winter tires go I think Nokians are wayyyy better than the competition. I had 175/65/14's on my RWD (!) Corolla GT-S and they were absolutely FABULOUS in the horrid Saskatchewan winter, much better than the Yoko Guardex 600's I have on my Protege.
Also don't do what I did, NO NOT GET ALLOYS for the winter no matter how much your wife may despise black steelies! 
My cheap *** 15 inch KAL Tire wheels are trashed after 1 winter. I might strip them and spray paint them white which may look sharp on my white ES GT.
When they wear out (perhaps after this winter as you don't want winter tires to get too worn) I'll get a set of 14's with Nokian's. BTW, as far as winter tires go I think Nokians are wayyyy better than the competition. I had 175/65/14's on my RWD (!) Corolla GT-S and they were absolutely FABULOUS in the horrid Saskatchewan winter, much better than the Yoko Guardex 600's I have on my Protege.
Also don't do what I did, NO NOT GET ALLOYS for the winter no matter how much your wife may despise black steelies!
My cheap *** 15 inch KAL Tire wheels are trashed after 1 winter. I might strip them and spray paint them white which may look sharp on my white ES GT.
July-30th-2002, 10:22 AM
#23
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 173
Thats actually exactly what I am saying But, the stock P5 tires are as you said 16 inch!!! So he needs steel 14 inch 185 or some real decent soft rubber winter /ICE tires in stock P5 16 inch! I guess my wording was bad, since I have stock 185/14!! My bad!!!!
But, the stock P5 tires are as you said 16 inch!!! So he needs steel 14 inch 185 or some real decent soft rubber winter /ICE tires in stock P5 16 inch! I guess my wording was bad, since I have stock 185/14!! My bad!!!!
July-30th-2002, 10:33 AM
#24
protege5.0
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 796
Originally posted by Pro_fan
Well we get some nice Chinooks out here and sometimes that can lead to some major ice buildup on the roads.
Well we get some nice Chinooks out here and sometimes that can lead to some major ice buildup on the roads.
b/c i've lived downtown since i've lived here, i've been able to get away with no winter tires b/c it rarely ever builds up downtown.
however, now that i'm moving to the south, i think i'll have to suck it up and buy some steelies and winter tires.
my family has sworn by blizzaks for years so i'm going to go that direction.
July-30th-2002, 12:20 PM
#25
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Canada
Posts: 173
Great choice! Just remember, when the temp increase and gets too warm, those tires will sound like a offroad truck!! So remove them when spring roles around or you will think that you have bearing problems or something. But, enjoy the tires as they are the best that I have come across for winter weather!!!
July-30th-2002, 02:11 PM
#26
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 126
I've been driving in harsh, northern New England winters for15 years. Heck... I learned to drive in winter. So keep that experience in mind when I tell you this.
I NEVER puts snow tires on my FWD cars... just all seasons. Never thought I needed them, felt I had enough skill to deal, and never had an accident. Then, I TRIED THEM. Once you've driven with them in the winter, you'll never want to be without them. I still have the skills, and the good head on my shoulders, and now, for a relatively small sum, I have even MORE traction, stability, and safety to back up my skills.
That's my experience. I used to be one of those guys who thought he didn't need them, got everywhere without them, was a good enough driver, blah, blah, blah... all until I actually TRIED THEM. Night and day.
Just my 2¢.
I NEVER puts snow tires on my FWD cars... just all seasons. Never thought I needed them, felt I had enough skill to deal, and never had an accident. Then, I TRIED THEM. Once you've driven with them in the winter, you'll never want to be without them. I still have the skills, and the good head on my shoulders, and now, for a relatively small sum, I have even MORE traction, stability, and safety to back up my skills.
That's my experience. I used to be one of those guys who thought he didn't need them, got everywhere without them, was a good enough driver, blah, blah, blah... all until I actually TRIED THEM.
Night and day.Just my 2¢.
July-30th-2002, 02:48 PM
#27
Trogdor!
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Posts: 327
I think it gets funny when the temp drops to -40 (F or C your choice) and even the blizzaks et al start to croak. 
At that temp I haven't had a tire yet that shows any real traction (maybe drag slicks 
. I can just be glad that it gets really dry here in the winter. I feel kinda bad for you easteners and your wet crap in the winters, the winter tires probably help there pretty good. They do a decent job here too but not enough to sacrifice my car's appearance.
If you are worried about your alloys, just keep them good and waxed and if you really want, throw some mag strips on the inside of them to help with the corrosion. And never paint your rims, unless you want them to corrode.
At that temp I haven't had a tire yet that shows any real traction (maybe drag slicks . I can just be glad that it gets really dry here in the winter. I feel kinda bad for you easteners and your wet crap in the winters, the winter tires probably help there pretty good. They do a decent job here too but not enough to sacrifice my car's appearance. If you are worried about your alloys, just keep them good and waxed and if you really want, throw some mag strips on the inside of them to help with the corrosion. And never paint your rims, unless you want them to corrode.
July-30th-2002, 02:59 PM
#28
HEY, I'm from the GAP!!!!
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Regina, SK.
Posts: 257
That's the truth...
I've never had winter tires on any car I've owned. Although my P5 being my first new car I am considering it for this winter. Either that and just run my alloys again this winter comletely screw them up and get some 17's in the spring???? hmmmmm...
I've never had winter tires on any car I've owned. Although my P5 being my first new car I am considering it for this winter. Either that and just run my alloys again this winter comletely screw them up and get some 17's in the spring???? hmmmmm...
July-30th-2002, 07:00 PM
#29
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: ottawa, ontario canada
Posts: 1,030
Re: winter woes
Originally posted by AV8R
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
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
your sig sounds offly familiar
and yes get some steel rims with winter tires.....i have 14" steels with michilan aplin's and they are awsome!...payed $800 for them threw the dealer, price included rims and installation too
July-30th-2002, 07:20 PM
#30
Protege Newbie
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: ontario, canada
Posts: 26
tires
it was said that because we live in canada we should get snow tires, and that you could get away without them in the city.
that's an awfully bold statement. i've never used snow tires, ever. i used to live in sault ste. marie and if any of you have been there in the dead of winter you would understand. it snows so much some years that they don't bring out the plows till it stops. i've seen it storm for more than a week straight. even when it stops they don't use salt because it usually gets too cold for it oo work properly. i've been driving in snow so deep it's coming over my hood. and all this on allseason tires, go figure.
i'm not saying that snow tires wouldn't improve your control, i'm just saying that they are not necassary and that our cars handle better than most in the snow. next time you see an accident in the winter check the tires. i would bet they are snow tires on each vehicle. people think you put snow tires on and you can drive normally. idiots. i'll keep my allseasons for ALL SEASONS and wave as the rest pull themselves out of the ditch.
AV8R: do you fly in t.o.? civil or military? you didn't happen to go to seneca did you?
that's an awfully bold statement. i've never used snow tires, ever. i used to live in sault ste. marie and if any of you have been there in the dead of winter you would understand. it snows so much some years that they don't bring out the plows till it stops. i've seen it storm for more than a week straight. even when it stops they don't use salt because it usually gets too cold for it oo work properly. i've been driving in snow so deep it's coming over my hood. and all this on allseason tires, go figure.
i'm not saying that snow tires wouldn't improve your control, i'm just saying that they are not necassary and that our cars handle better than most in the snow. next time you see an accident in the winter check the tires. i would bet they are snow tires on each vehicle. people think you put snow tires on and you can drive normally. idiots. i'll keep my allseasons for ALL SEASONS and wave as the rest pull themselves out of the ditch.
AV8R: do you fly in t.o.? civil or military? you didn't happen to go to seneca did you?