Snow Tires (was Re: magazine articles)

["Barton P. Chambers" <bchambers@atlantic.nos.noaa.gov>]

Hi John,

This would be a good start on a Snow-tire FAQ.  Thanks for the effort in
putting this together and posting it.  However, all of the several articles
I've seen (don't read the Deutsche Rags) say Bridgstone Blizzaks are the
current Hot number.  Why don't you repost this with the addition of B's?
(Pretty please...)

> Here are the capsule descriptions of the tyres that are available
> in the states.
> 
> Continental TS770 91T: Very good traction in snow, somewhat delayed
> turn-in, tendency to snowplow with correspondingly high drift-angles,
> but good tracking nonetheless.  Remained stable even when pushed.  On
> wet streets, it exhibited a tendency towards instability and
> oversteer; this required frequent [steering] corrections, however
> these could be effortlessly accomplished.  Precise handling on dry
> streets, but with a small limit-region.
> Verdict: Recommended.
> 
> Dunlop Winter Sport M2 91T: Best traction in snow of all tyres, direct
> and instantaneous reaction to steering inputs, good road contact.  The
> rear of the car stayed put even with high lateral loads.  Exeplary wet
> handling, remained stable and could be controlled effortlessly even
> when drifted.  Curves could be taken at high speeds.  Braking reserves
> and aquaplaning were average.  In the dry, it handled well, with good
> steering precision.  Very low noise level.
> 
> Michelin XM+S 130 91T: Good traction and cornering in snow, but abrupt
> breakaway at the limit.  Shortest braking distance of all tyres.
> Tendency to dance along, which was difficult to correct.  In the wet,
> good road contact and reaction to steering inputs.  Poorly behaved,
> with abrupt breakaway in the limit-region.  Required a very specific,
> exacting driving style.  Better behaved in the dry, with very direct
> turn-in response.
> 
> 
> Bottom line: The Dunlop topped last-year's test as well, and has the
> added bonus of the lowest rolling resistance, meaning it's 25% better
> than the worst, a very significant amount, and is about the same as an
> average summer tyre.  It's also much quieter than the average snow
> tyre by a significant amount, i.e. 3-4 db.

Cheers, and best wishes to you and yours for a Happy Thanksgiving!

Bart Chambers, USMA '61 BEAT NAVY!

'77 Feline Varmint Felix, Gray Tabby
'86 Carrera Cabriolet, Indischrot
'87 Syncro (Stealth Quattro)