Snow Tires Yes or No

[josephd]

Originally Posted by Black&Tan

Thread necroed...

But yeah I always thought snow Tires were a waste... Until I drove with them in a snowstorm. Now I'm a convert.

I always thought snow tires were a waste to. That is until I bought a Ford Focus. :-D

[Joey D]

Originally Posted by josephd

No intention to start an argument here. But that statement is 100% inaccurate. My Jeep Wrangler was hands down a million times better in the snow than my Focus or any other car I have driven in the snow, with the exception of AWD.

It's completely dependent on tires. Four-wheel drive isn't going to do anything for you if your tires can't grip anything. But yes, a 4x4 with with proper tires on it will be better in the snow.

[josephd]

Originally Posted by Joey D

It's completely dependent on tires. Four-wheel drive isn't going to do anything for you if your tires can't grip anything. But yes, a 4x4 with with proper tires on it will be better in the snow.

I agree, but I make sure to have an AT tire on 4WD, not summer times. It is also the confidence that 4WD gives you. I avoid hills in this car, even with snows. If someone gets stuck, you're in trouble, pulling away at stop lights most times you're fish tailing and your wheels are spinning.
I also have to go to work no matter how bad the weather is, and late at night. I either have to shovel my driveway to get out, or wake the neighbors with the snow blower at 3am. Rant over. :-D

[faridk89]

would I be able to put Michelin X-Ice Xi2 215/65R on my car 2012 focus?

The width of the tire is what's most concerning to me

[KyleQ]

The narrower the better (to a certain point, but you get the idea - wide snow tires are not a good idea on a road vehicle needing to cut down to the pavement)

[faridk89]

Originally Posted by KyleQ

The narrower the better (to a certain point, but you get the idea - wide snow tires are not a good idea on a road vehicle needing to cut down to the pavement)

yeah I understand but I found a set of 4 mounted on 5-108 steelies for 280 (Michelin X-Ice Xi2)

[CeeBee]

Originally Posted by faridk89

yeah I understand but I found a set of 4 mounted on 5-108 steelies for 280 (Michelin X-Ice Xi2)

If the rims you found are any bigger than 15" in diameter then you'll probably have a tire that has a significantly larger diameter than OEM causing speedo error. For example a 16" diameter wheel with those tires will cause a 6% error

If the wheel is 14" in diameter, you would have a tire that would have minimal speedo error, but it probably wouldn't fit over your front brakes, since the minimum OEM wheel size is 15".

AND, as the poster above mentioned – narrower is better for snow/winter tires.

[josephd]

I have a set of Cooper Arctic Claws on my Focus. They're a bit loud on the road, but fantastic traction in the snow. Without snows, My Focus is a horror show in snowy weather.

[felixthecat]

Like a lot of people already said= depends on where you live. I've driven mustang & this Foci in the snow w/ just a desent set of A/S tires. On the truck I take off the wide wheels/tires & run the stock set. Not this winter as the truck is sitting in a garage since last March & the insurance is cancelled for now.

[lyonsroar]

The gti on all season 16" is just as good as the fusion was on dedicated snows. No issues at all. Different driving dynamics I guess...