Running the S with lowering springs in the winter?
10-24-2008, 06:22 AM
#13
Registered User
I was lowered on Espliers last winter, and I drove mine in the snow many times on Michelin X-Ice tires.. I was fine, and you should be too.
summer tires really start to lose grip below 40*. It was 28* this morning, and I drove the S to work anyway. I didn't fly off the highway and kill myself, so a lot of the warnings are slightly over stated. Just take it easy in the cold on summers.. don't push it at all. But if you're going in the snow, you must must must have snows.
summer tires really start to lose grip below 40*. It was 28* this morning, and I drove the S to work anyway. I didn't fly off the highway and kill myself, so a lot of the warnings are slightly over stated. Just take it easy in the cold on summers.. don't push it at all. But if you're going in the snow, you must must must have snows.
10-24-2008, 07:26 PM
#16
Mike: I'm in NE Ohio as well. While I don't plan to drive my S in snow, I've driven three lowered cars in winter weather and my current daily driver RL is lowered. Just drive judiciously and you'll be fine. On the S, (aka very light RWD car), snow tires are a must.
10-26-2008, 12:18 AM
#19
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I had your same exact setup last winter with NO winter tires and I'm from Columbus. I'm sure you'll be fine with winter tires... Just be smart about it and don't go driving around in a blizzard.
I just had all-seasons and I made it through ok.. I only got stuck two times where I needed to call for help. That was when it was 3"+ of snow. Here in columbus, they do a pretty good job of clearing the snow out. This winter, I'll be driving my beater more since I'm now slammed with coilovers. I already have trouble getting around in the dry. =)
I just had all-seasons and I made it through ok.. I only got stuck two times where I needed to call for help. That was when it was 3"+ of snow. Here in columbus, they do a pretty good job of clearing the snow out. This winter, I'll be driving my beater more since I'm now slammed with coilovers. I already have trouble getting around in the dry. =)
10-26-2008, 09:40 AM
#20
Community Organizer
Originally Posted by Neutered Sputniks,Oct 23 2008, 09:24 PM
Summer tires are rated for use >50F. But, then, it also depends on the summer tires when they really start turning to bricks. Maybe it was just my GS-D3's, but they were crap below 65-70.
So maybe edit my previous statement to:
Summer tires are bricks below 50F, and not much use starting at 60. My limit is 70, usually that makes nights 50-60 (and I work nights).
So maybe edit my previous statement to:
Summer tires are bricks below 50F, and not much use starting at 60. My limit is 70, usually that makes nights 50-60 (and I work nights).
I drive T1-Rs in 20-30F air temps perfectly fine. I'm not trying to drift corners or set any speed records though but there has never been a moment where I've felt they were bricks. I don't know what they're officially rated for off the top of my head, but if you don't drive like a moron, you should have absolutely no trouble.
I'm also not lowered so it doesn't particularly fit with the OP's question but I've driven ES100s on 1/4" of new snow and was able to get the 5 miles to a tire center to swap to my winters. It was VERY careful and easy driving though.
With the winter tires I've driven through 5-6" of new powder just fine and plowed through it. I drive over the mountain passes with packed snow/ice and have never had a problem.
Look at how many owners in Canada drive it daily through crazy winters.
I don't understand why so many people say "Don't do it".
