winter driving question (tires)?

[look 171]

Where would you put a brand new set of all season tires on a front wheel drive minivan(sienna)? bought the tires at Tirerack and he strongly suggest the back. I am thinking the front, no? What do you guys think? Driving up to Calgary in Nov. I have never own a front wheel drive cars before. dont it many times in a 4 wheel drive suv. My babies are going with us, so I need to be super safe.

Jeff

[Pazuzu]

Um...the front. The same place where the chains will go.

Now, if you're concerned about safely, why did you only buy 2 tires?

[gr8fl4porsche]

I agree with the 2 tires vs 4 comment.

Now, the reason Tirerack said the rear is to keep the van under control, not forward momentum. When applying the brakes under a slippery situation, momentum will cause the rear of the van to keep going forward - you've seen cars spinning uncontrollably during icy conditions I assume. You want your best traction in the rear so you can steer with the front. The front already has the weight of the engine helping it. More traction in the front vs rear will cause the rear to come around. Sounds like a 911 under throttle lift situations.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Pazuzu

Um...the front. The same place where the chains will go.

Now, if you're concerned about safely, why did you only buy 2 tires?

My others are less then 1 year old.

[serge944]

You're in So Cal...what Winter?

[look 171]

Originally Posted by gr8fl4porsche

I agree with the 2 tires vs 4 comment.

Now, the reason Tirerack said the rear is to keep the van under control, not forward momentum. When applying the brakes under a slippery situation, momentum will cause the rear of the van to keep going forward - you've seen cars spinning uncontrollably during icy conditions I assume. You want your best traction in the rear so you can steer with the front. The front already has the weight of the engine helping it. More traction in the front vs rear will cause the rear to come around. Sounds like a 911 under throttle lift situations.

No never see them spin. I live in LA, no snow here except when I go siking up in the hills and always had a 4 wheel drive. No real long term experience driving on icy roads like others in the colder areas of the country.

[Porsche_monkey]

Michelin's advice is to always put the best tires on the rear. FWD or RWD, same answer.

Super safe=Four snow tires.

[MRM]

Why are you risking your life with mismatched tires? Get four equal snow tires and be done with it. I took the plunge years ago and was astonished at the difference. Get real dedicated snow tires and put them on all four corners and you'll never be sorry.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by serge944

You're in So Cal...what Winter?

Yeah,I am in shorts all year long. I taking a month off and driving to Canada for vacation and see some realatives.

[Soterik]

Originally Posted by MRM

Why are you risking your life with mismatched tires? Get four equal snow tires and be done with it. I took the plunge years ago and was astonished at the difference. Get real dedicated snow tires and put them on all four corners and you'll never be sorry.

+1.....

We have 2 boys that ski competetively, and one is now on a travel circuit, and we have a cabin in the mountains. We generally use my wifes 2 wheel drive Passat wagon suited up with 4 studded winter tires (Pirelli Edge?), and NOTHING has stopped us yet. Really suggest 4 all the way around...the difference is remarkable.

Eric

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Porsche_monkey

Michelin's advice is to always put the best tires on the rear. FWD or RWD, same answer.

Super safe=Four snow tires.

Not economical. I wouldn't know what to do with the snow tires onve the trip is over. Where in Canada are you? I am going to Calgary and up onto Jesper then onto Edmonton. I'll get snow and icy road for sure in Nov?

[Tim Polzin]

Originally Posted by look 171

Not economical. I wouldn't know what to do with the snow tires onve the trip is over. Where in Canada are you? I am going to Calgary and up onto Jesper then onto Edmonton. I'll get snow and icy road for sure in Nov?

In November, maybe no snow in Edmonton or Calgary, but very likely on the Icefields Highway between Banff and Jasper. For the passes you will need to carry chains too.

[nota]

I bet you can get used snow tires cheap in S Cal
put them on make the trip and get rid of them when you get back

just check the date code so you donot get old junk tires

[Porsche_monkey]

Originally Posted by look 171

Not economical. I wouldn't know what to do with the snow tires onve the trip is over. Where in Canada are you? I am going to Calgary and up onto Jesper then onto Edmonton. I'll get snow and icy road for sure in Nov?

I'm too far from there to know what to expect. My guess would be you will experience snow and ice.

I am far enough north to know that all season tires are not 'super safe' which is what you asked for. Real snow tires are a significant upgrade over all seasons. Just ask anyone who has waited one week too long to get his snow tires installed.

What to do with the snows when you get home? Drive on them until they are trash. They won't be that bad on dry roads.

Alternatively, put your new tires on the rear, the 'pretty good' tires on the front and drive judiciously, realizing that the cars flying past you likely have superior traction.

[notfarnow]

Proper winter tires make a world of difference. When I picked up my e300d in January, it had a set of almost new all season (no season) tires. I gave them a whirl for a couple weeks, but they were horrible, especially in a rwd car. I could barely keep the car in a straight line in the snow

I went out and got a set of Blizzaks, and they are fantastic. I'd highly recommend them.

On my previous car, I had brand new "fair" quality winter tires, but had them studded. The studs are great on ice, but overall snow traction wasn't better than my Blizzaks. And they were LOUD... really obnoxious on long drives.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by nota

I bet you can get used snow tires cheap in S Cal
put them on make the trip and get rid of them when you get back

just check the date code so you donot get old junk tires

Used tires in So Cal?????? what's that, come again? If we plan to get 1/4" rain fall, we have storm watch on all the news channels. that happend 4-5 times a year. We uses bald tires throughout the seasons. No such luck here.

Thanks for the info you guys. Would a all terrain truck tire be a similar to a snow tire (non stud)?

Jeff

[David McLaughlin]

Having driven the Sienna in the snow for the past 4 years, I'd opt for putting the newest on the front. The only time I've been able to get the back end step out is when I locked the E-Brake in 6+ inches of snow and cranked the wheel. On the other hand, I've had the car push quite a bit and have had a few pucker moments with the ABS pulsing away for a long time. I understand the concept of new on the rear but...

[tabascobobcat]

The cost of 4 snow tires is probably less than your insurance deductible. You can always sell them after the trip on ebay or CL.

[old man neri]

4 winter tires are the best thing. No they are not at all like an all-terrain truck tire, in fact they look much different. They are called 'winter' tires and not 'snow' tires anymore for a reason. Winter tires are meant to deal with snow, slush, ice, and water. They have very interesting tiny grooves that suck up water. That's what makes them work.

So you want to put 2 all seasons on, I hope the others are not 'summer' tires.

Just to show you an example, one snowy day I was in my mom's Versa with the all new Blizzak REVO1 winter tire and I was beside an audi (4WD) with all seasons one. The light turned green and I smoothly accelerated away with no drama. The audi with it's wonderful 4 wheel drive system was slipping and sliding all over the place. I wasn't racing him or anything but I pulled cleanly away from him with his tires still spinning.

[rammstein]

4 snows are a must IMO. Besides, its only 'fronted money', because your 2 sets last twice as long. The cost when truly considered is minimal, and the difference is beyond compare. I had to drive a lot in the snow growing up, and even as a poor college student I socked away enough for a cheap set of snows. The first blizzard I hit made it worth every last penny- I stayed on the road, many did not.

It amazes me the level of concern that is given to airbags and crash tests, but tires are kind of an afterthought. Nothing is going to make you safer in the snow than snow tires.