Ok, yesterday we really got hammered by the end of the day up here in the NE. I was already out in the morning because while it was snowing, it wasn't bad yet. However, as the sun started to fall.... things got worse.

First, pulling out of my garage I initially forgot to turn off the DSC and I didn't notice it until I was on the road. (and that was because I look, not because the tires slipped) So that was impressive considering my driveway wasn't plowed or anything. (I expected a little slipping)

Driving in the morning wasn't bad, I did slide a little bit occasionally and occasionally lost traction while accelerating. (even though it was light acceleration) but these were few and far between and usually didn't last very long. I think a lot of it has to do with snow getting packed into the treads.

At first I was worried about a few of the hills in the area but after getting up the first one I wasn't worried anymore. It goes up hills like a tank. Once the sun came down, things started getting hairy. The snow started falling faster and the visibility started falling. I had to pull over a few times just to scrape my windshield wipers.

The way I ended up going has a pretty big hill and with the ammount of snow we had I was a little worried but after the other hills I decided it was ok. Now I did slide a little and I didn't go all that fast up the hill (since I couldn't see 30 feet in front of me) but I did make it up the hill and home safely.

So in summary, the tires won't stop you from sliding at all but it definately helps. It was a huge difference over the stock pirelli's that I had on last year (in PA... not VT) which performed horribly. I don't know how the all season tires handle so I can't offer a comparison.

Anyone have a wiper they'd recommend for the snow?

 

Thanks for the snow tire review!
I'm very glad I don't have to fuss with snow these days but I did live in Colorado for 4 winters and in Chicago for 5 winters and it was a learning experience to drive safely in the snow.

I thought that besides good equiptment these articles remind us about how to drive safely in the winter-

This one has tips (good driving in any inclement weather-snow/rain/etc)
http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/how...3/article.html

http://midmichigander.com/zzlearn-driveinsnow.htm

Stay safe out there.
:smile:

 

The ONLY experience i've had driving in snow was in a Pontiac Grand LeMans while getting the hell out of north Yellowstone during a heavy snowfall. Very scary, as there were no other motorists within miles, but lots of buffaloes and bears, and ...

I wouldn't want to drive in snow, not even in a MINI with Blizzaks.

 

As far as wipers go, http://www.silblade.com are the best. YThey are silicone and do not freeze. If you do a search under wiper blades, you will find plenty of info.

 

Discressionary driving , keep you moves smooth and controlled, and blizzaks on your mini make you next to unstoppable!

Alex

 

here is a picture of my wheels once I got home from the same snowstorm I wrote about...


I'm really impressed with the blizzaks.