Here's another

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0zJc...eature=related

And yes, you could try to make the argument that a tire company is going to try and sell more tires by making the A/S tires slower no matter the car, but seriously, snow tires are just better in the snow. I swear I'm not just making this stuff up.

 

Driving a FWD car on snow tires, I have personally absolutely destroyed WRXs and STIs that were on all seasons in an autocross competition that literally took place during a blizzard. I was driving my old 1992 Sentra SE-R on 14" snow tires that cost $45 each at the event. It was a couple of years ago but IIRC, I beat every AWD car at that event except for one. There was 6-8" of snow covering the course when I left the event.

I also drove 90 miles home in that same blizzard after the event in my little SE-R. And I lost count of all the SUVs I saw spun out in a ditch or on the median on the way home.

People that have never driven in winter conditions with snow tires just don't understand how huge of an advantage they are for handing and stopping in the snow. AWD is only advantageous for accelerating fast in the snow. Even the worst snow tires are dramatically better than the best all season tires in winter weather.

Andrew

 

I wouldn't go as far as to say that, there are some very special tires that are considered A/S tires. For instance.



Nokian WRG2. They are an A/S tire rated for year round use, and have a mileage warranty.

I know far a fact that these perform better on ice, in snow, and slush than most dedicated, non-studded snow tires. I'd take these on a WRX wagon and go anywhere. If you couldn't make it with that combo, the road should be closed.

I was also surprised how good the Conti DWS does, especially for how good it is in the dry too. It wouldn't be my choice in an area that gets regular snow, but could certainly work in a pinch, if you could only have one set of tires.

 

Dude, give it up. He's one of the 99%....."I got AWD, I don't need no stinkin snow tires".
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No, he's one of the 99% of Awd SUVs that got through a snow blizzard in real life.

I understand the other point, but it would be an interesting experiment to see an STi with a good set of all-season tires vs. a RWD car with snow tires. I think (not know), at best, the RWD car would have a very marginal advantage; though I'd like to see test data.
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I can't see any reason why the RWD with snow tires would only have a marginal traction advantage outside of accelerating. What does AWD have to do with traction outside of 4 wheels getting power under acceleration? It doesn't make any sense.

I don't mean any offense at all, I am saying this in a general sense - marketing/advertising of AWD cars has convinced that public that the drive wheels is the most important aspect of winter driving/safety/traction.

I would bet the RWD car or FWD car with snow tires, would stop noticeably faster, and turn faster as well without sliding. It may get tricky because the AWD car can just gas it in the corner and regain traction, but we are talking about just turning and stopping like one would be in a panic stop and needing to turn to avoid an accident.

 

Nokian makes a good winter tire. Finnish winters sort of demand it. And those appear to have the siping of a snow tire. But I doubt that many cars sold in the US come with OEM Nokians. All season tires are a compromise that usually does not include the extremely soft specialized compound or blocky tread design of a true winter tire. Nor do they generally include the sort of siping of say a Blizzak. At the other extreme, they don't have the sticky rubber compounds and low void ratio of an extreme performance summer tire either. All season tires are the classic jack of all trades and master of none. They are an economical solution to application specific tires that are OK for many people.