Hey SNM'ers,

It is the first real snow of the season up here in Tahoe and I thought that I would make a quick snowtire report for any of you that may be thinking of driving your mini all winter.

I have 175/65-15 Pirelli snowcontrols on 15" steel wheels and they performed great tonight on the way home. Maybe 4 or 5" in my neighborhood and the DSC only came on when I got naughty Great tires. Got mine at a local dealer who ordered through tirerack.

TT

 

So now that the snow has started to fly, what kind of "chains" can you put on a Mini? I've got the 17" S-Lites (Run Flat All-Season). I expect that with front-wheel drive and all-seasons, there will be very few instances when I will need to put on chains, but what if I do? Any suggestions of types and where to buy?

MR ECON

 

From the 2005 Manual...

"Only certain types of snow chains have been tested by the manufacturer of your MINI, classified as road-safe and recommended. Contact your MINI Dealer for more details. Their use is only permitted in pairs on the front wheels on winter tires of the following types:
175/65 R15 M+S
175/60 R16 M+S

When fitting, comply with the manufacturer's instructions. With chains, do not exceed a speed of 30 mph / 50 km/h.

Do not initialize the Flat Tire Monitor after attaching snow chains to the tires.

When driving with snow chains, it can be helpful to switch off the ASC or DSC for a brief period..."

 

ECON,

Like YYC wrote MINI doen't approve use of chains on the 17" tire/wheel combo. If you have ever tried to put your hand between the backside of the tire and the inside of the wheel well you will see why. That's one of the reasons that I went for the 175/65/15 snows. They have improved clearance although it is still close. If I do need to get over the top of 50 through chain control, I can whip out my cables and go for it (or just take the Subie ) The other reason is that headed down your way, the NHP usually just requres snow tires. The snows have worked great up here at the lake so far, but I would bet that your all seasons should do fine around town in carson.

Oh yeah I forgot. I have read a lot about turning your DSC of in the sonw on NAM, or at least while getting moving. I have kept mine on all the time in the snow so far and it rarely kicks in and was caused no problems. Granted we have yet to get more than 4" at a pop. ECON, let me know how it works with your all seasons.

TT

 

I agree with this. I have the 16" rims that came with the sport package, but went with 15" rims for the snow tires. I use Haakapellita RSi unstudded tires here in northern Vermont, and likewise have never turned off the DSC. The last stretch before you get to my dirt/ice road is a steep uphill leading to a cross country ski resort. The road is usually a mix of ice and slush from tourists trying to get up the hill with their all season radials...and if they start to spin the first thing they do is give it more gas, hence the ice. Even through that section the Mini performs flawlessly!

Pete

 

on Friday. I run the stock 15" all-season tires and they worked just fine. No problems at all.

 

We finally got a bit of snow on the ground over the past couple of days and my all-season run flats performed quite well. However, due to low clearance, I have avoided taking the MINI on the unplowed streets once the original snow turned into ice chunks. Still, I am considering smaller wheels and regular (non-run flat) tires for winter driving so that if I had to go over the mountain during a chain requirement, I could.

 

You guys have more guts than I do. I park my S in the garage during the winter. I look at the front my MINI and the 1-2' of snow we get in an average storm in Tahoe Donner and can imagine my Cooper making like a snow plow. I figure that's why God invented Subaru's.

 

ECON,
Glad to hear the all-seasons worked OK for you. It dumped here last night, the mini stayed in today, but now that the plow has gone by.....

Wolverine,
Yeah when it gets more than a couple of inches I take the subaru too, but the mini on packed snow is a blast!

 

I too have 17" stock all seasons, did pretty well last year I had bald tires so don't know how good a comparison I could make, snow tires should be narrower so the car can sink into the snow in stead of ride atop it. Almost everytime I went out on wet or snow covered roads I was constantly turning off ASC+T, I have the LSD and all ASC did for me was induce wheel spin, shut it off and LSD gave me all the traction I need in anything under 4" deep

 

In snow areas a good 15- 65 -175 will get you thru just about anything.Once it gets any deeper the Mini becomes a snow plow so chains may help on glare ice but wont help in deep snow.Thats when I get out SUV.

 

One criteria for my new house was a 3 car Garage...All my Toys have always stayed inside for the winter, due to snow, gravel and the generally poor road conditions in Reno NV.
TAHOE...I would not even entertain the thought...

That's what the Honda Element is for!
Sometimes I don't even get up there with the Element!

jeff

 

Oh.... Tahoe in the snow is great! Imagine that you are on the Monte, just ignore all the SUV's in the ditch. Works for me!

 

I just love our new arrivals that think FWD trucks and SUV's STOP better in the snow! Those are the ones in the ditch!!!

The Honda Element is actually better in the snow than my Audi A4 Quattro was! Ugly, but fantastic...
The Element will get a rest after the nice weather gets here! (been in Reno for 30yrs) THEN THE COOPER GETS OUT!!!

Jeff