Real snow tires versus all-season

[Anonymous Poster]

Bob, some of the racing schools also offer high performance driving classess. Skip barber, race2000.com(toronto),bmwusa.com (Joy of driving/performance center) this last one at the BMW facility would be a great getaway, I think you get to beat up their cars for the price, either a new 3series or the "offroad" x5. When you get to buy your next one new you can take delivery there and a driving session free I think its a one day event also /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bill our county mounties are driving Ford Expeditions and the state guys have Tahoes, if your in Breckenridge Colorado they get to have Landrover Discoverys'. Talked to a test engineer at GM truck about the 2wd Tahoes and the handling package they use is outstanding, 140 on the track in an suv /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bird]

I'll bet that was interesting, Bill. I used to get the complete printed report of the Michigan State Police tests each year, but unfortunately, it was published too late for us. I had to have my specs done for the next year before I got it. So, I got acquainted with the Lieutenant who was in charge of those tests (and now can't think of his name). I would see him at the annual fleet administrators convention, and then I would talk to him on the phone shortly after they ran their tests and before the report was published. They sent me an invitation to come and observe the tests each year, but that just wasn't in our budget. Since they were doing it at Chrysler's Proving Grounds, I wonder what they're doing now since, as far as I know, Chrysler doesn't build a "police" vehicle anymore.

And the Chevrolet Tahoe was available as a "police package" car for awhile, and of course, several department use some of them, but I don't know whether they still do that or not. I know the police version had higher gearing in the differential (lower numerical number), I think a stiffer suspension, and I'm not sure what else.

It was quite a few years ago when Ford came out with a "police package" Mustang one year and sold quite a few, especially to State Police agencies. Unfortunately, they ran into a number of problems, like the seats not holding up, backs breaking off, etc. and in some city departments, engines overheating. The next year at the annual fleet administrators convention, lots of members wanted to talk to the Ford representatives about those Mustangs, and the Ford representatives did their best to dodge all questions "no longer make a police package Mustang, but have a "special service" Mustang that police can use." They really did not want to talk about Mustangs at all. But I know quite a number of agencies are using Mustangs and Cameros for traffic enforcement, but not much for general patrol duties.

And of course, the police have always used and/or experimented with a variety of vehicles. I know right now, the Texas Department of Public Safety (Highway Patrol) is running some regular, marked, black and white pickup trucks on the highways. I think all the ones I've noticed were Dodges.

 

[dmccarty]

Bob,

I went home and WROTE down the tires the Car and Driver
put on an M3. At least this way I can't forget the tire specs.
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Sounds like you got the same tires. They put on Bridgestone
Blizzak MZ-01s. They liked the tires and said it made a big
difference.

Later,
Dan

 

[hazmat]

Bob,

I had the WS50's on my volvo V40 (little wagon). Great tires! Enjoy /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Trev]

Again, I want to thank you all for your help, advice, and words of wisdom. I love this forum!!

Boy, it was a good thing I had the snows installed yesterday.. if I had just thrown them in the car I would have been in big trouble this morning. Schools closed, lake-effect snow advisories, one county even closed all of its roads. I just drove to work without a care except for watching out for the folks who didn't have decent tires on. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

The car is a dream. The first time I started it, I didn't think anything had happened. I thought it simply didn't start. Then I noticed the tach was no longer reading zero. Okay, it must be running. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Hit the button for the seat heaters and the steering wheel heater (!), slipped it into gear and eased off down the road. Still not sure it's actually running, but since I'm moving I figure it must be. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

The Blizzaks are super. Thanks for the feedback on those..

As for the driving schools, etc., I will look into those.

A misc observation:

The most common mistake I see drivers making routinely is that they will be waiting to make a left turn, and they'll have their wheels already turned to the left. Now, if they get rear-ended, they will be pushed right into the oncoming traffic... head on! Keep the wheels pointing straight ahead until you decide it's clear to go.

Okay, we now return to our regularly scheduled show... about tractors! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Had to do a bit of plowing this morning, and Jezebel, the JD 4300 with R4's, had no problem at all with solid ice covered with a few inches of snow. I was glad to find that out.. ice was the one thing I hadn't tried her on yet. I've got about a thousand pounds out back with the dirt scoop, and the front blade and a couple of suitcase weights on the front, and this seems the best combination I've hit on yet. With 30mph winds, I'll have to plow again when I get home.. but that's fine.. Jez was getting bored. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Egon]

Quiet car or like me can't hear anything and it's not selective either.

Egon

 

[Egon]

Them's real good snow/ice tires but wear real fast on dry pavement.

Egon

 

[Trev]

Yeah, Egon.. it might just be that I'm deaf! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I thought the Blizzaks would be okay on dry pavement, provided the pavement wasn't too warm? I thought it was high temperatures that killed these kinds of tires, not just dry pavement? Am I wrong? TireRack told me to they'd be fine provided the temperature (ambient) wasn't over either 50 or 60 degrees F, somewhere around there. I forget the exact temp, but since it's in the teens here today, I would assume no extra wear from dry pavement? Well, even if I have to replace them from time to time, they are worth the added control.

Wow.. 4 pages so far on my little "off-topic" thread here. Sorry, Muhammad!!! /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[hazmat]

Snow tires are much softer than all seasons. They will WEAR faster on pavement compared to all seasons in any ambient temp.

If you were to drive at high speed in high ambient temp, you may experience PERFORMANCE problems. They will also wear faster compared to low temps.

They won't last as long (mile wise) as all seasons, but as you said, the extra grip is worth it.

On topic Tractor bit here: Looking forward to gettin my new tire chains the "snow tires" of the tractor world. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[rationalizer]

Bird,

Yep - the trials were fun to watch. It was interesting to see all the manufacturers there - each one waiting to see what the other was going to "show". I think they are still run in Chelsea - Daimler-Chrsyler still wants to sell Poice vehicles (witness the pick-ups you are seeing?! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif)

I think the Tahoe was RWD so they could lower it a bit to make it handle better. High center of gravity and sticky tires usually is a bad combo... But - without the Caprice its the next best thing. Lots of room as well. As for the Mustangs - I know the CHiPies used to have a bunch (was pulled over by one many years ago...) - pursuit/patrol is all they were good for. I don't think Ford has sold them in a bunch of years - and GM certainly won't be selling Camaros again (as they are out of production)