Buzzzzzt-Thump!!!!!

[Lawrence C Leung]

I have found in really icy conditions that at least the ABS on my '89 200
is totally fooled. It will essentially not allow any wheel to brake at
all (though directional avoidance is still sort of there, dependant upon
traction). At VERY slow speeds (like less than 15 MPH), the car seems to
stop noticably quicker with ABS off, in THESE conditions. It is a
sliding, wheels locked type of stop, and the car may not be straight
after the stop. I did a fair amount of experimenting in parking lots with
this, and actually had to utilize this getting home in an ice storm. You
are correct, however, that tires play a HUGE role in this, all of my
experience and experimenting says, if you live where ice or snow is
common in the winter, you should really, really try to get yourself some
full snow tires for the winter. As for All-Seasons, my experience with
them is limited in winter conditions. Currently, Grassroots Motorsports
recommends the BFG g-force KDWS and the Michelin Pilot XGT-V or Z 4's,
both expensive tires (though the BFG can be quite reasonable, depending
upon size). I've had experience with the "(sm)all-season" Dunlop D-60A2
JLB, and in snow and ice conditions, those tires are wanting. So being
it, and noting that the D60 doesn't have near the performance intentions
of the SP5K, I'd be willing to bet that you won't have much better luck
with the SP5Ks than you had with your Firehawks. Also, noting the
deficiencies of your tires and the ABS system in this extreme case, it
would be prudent to go as slow as possible. 

Hope you and the SUV survived unscathed. Insurance companies aren't too
forgiving of accidents that are registered as your fault. 

LL - NY

On Sat, 10 Mar 2001 20:48:46 -0500 "Kevin Phillips"
<kevphill at mediaone.net> writes:
>That's what my ABS was doing yesterday as I slid into the SUV in front 
>of
>me. This was on slush on a slight down hill doing 5MPH, sad thing is I 
>knew
>it was going to happen from 8 yards back.
>The reason behind all this is the crappy Firestone SS10 tyres on the 
>front.
>The back is always coming round on me and I have no steering or 
>stopping
>grip at all. They are darn right dangerous in the winter and cannot 
>be
>recommended even for a trailer.
>
>So a look on tirerack.com brings me to the Dunlop SP Sport 5000 
>Asymmetrical
>but they are not available in 60 profile, 55 or lower. They look to be 
>the
>tyre of choice for my needs.
>The SP Sport 5000 Symmetrical are available but not quite so good in 
>the
>snow. So what should I do ?
>I was also interested in upping the diameter just a tad to increase 
>the
>gearing on the car, e.g. 215/60/15.
>
>Thanks all.
>
>Kevin Phillips AIM "quattrohead"
>Western Massachusetts
>1990 200q
>1995 900 SET
>Cell 413 519 9034
>
>
>