So, I'm moving to Chicago in under a month.

My runflats on the stock s-lites are almost at the end of their life, so they're gonna go. I'm gonna replace the s-lites too.

I've never lived in cold weather, so sorry if this is a stupid question Is there such a thing such an an all season tire that will give me good traction in wintery conditions? Is there a tire that I can use year-round?

Thanks!

 

No. there is no such thing. (just kidding) check out the tire rack, a sponsor here. they have senveral options for you.

 

I just bought Falken Ziex Ze-512 (215/45R17) I bought them for all year use. I have had them for 1 snow/ice storm and I thought they did pretty well. Better than the Euforia's that I replaced.

 

I was born in the Chicago area, North West Indiana specifically. Spent the first 20 years of my life there! Chicago does get snow. But the prevailing winds gives more snow to North West Indiana (LaPorte County and East) and South West Michigan get far more snow than Chicago. I would definately invest in a GOOD HEAVY DOWN coat and if your MINI doesn't have the cold weather package look around for aftermarket heated seats! Also invest in a snow scraper as Chicago does get frost and you have to scrape it off the windows.

All season tires work well enough, but for optimum grip you will want a second set of rims and a good set of SNOW tires. If you AutoX then get a light weight set of rims and grippy tires for spring through fall and put the snow tires on your S-Lites.

 

That's a good suggestion. I can use the S-Lites for the snow tires instead of getting rid of them. Then I can get a lighter new set of wheels and some non runflat tires!

Unforunately, my MINI doesn't have the cold weather package :(

I've actually never driven in winter conditions. This is gonna be interesting.

 

DSC if you have it, will help. But it can come on at the wrong times. Like accelerating from a stop while in snow. Or merging on to interstates/toll roads. When sopping on wet or icy remember to stomp and hold those brakes. Let ABS do the work for you. If you have to drive on any toll road, get an I-PASS Something that mounts in upper drivers windshield corner and then go through toll gates and they send you a monthly bill rather than feed the toll booths on each pass. I-PASS rates are half that of the rates in the toll gates. Remember to look in the direction you want to go and let the front drive pull you through slippery stuff. Soon you will enjoy those days when snow covers parking lots and you start immitating Patty Hopkirk and doing E-Brake drifts!

 

I would agree that if you have the room to store a set of wheels and tires, your best option is a dedicated set of quality snow tires mounted on an easy to clean set of wheels along with a nice set of UHP summer or all season tires mounted on a nice set of lightweight wheels for the rest of the year. I've tried almost all of the big name tires but for the last 7-10 years I've been very satisfied with Toyos. I have been a Michelin fan and still think they make a very good tire, but they are pricey. I had a set of Toyo T1S Proxes on my 02 MINI and they were awesome in all but snowy or icy weather. I'm running the new Toyo Proxes 4 mounted on Flik Artic anthracite wheels on my 05 MCSC. Got tired of swapping tires and since we don't really get all that much snow I am content with the all season capabilities of the Proxes 4. The Falken 512 was selected by Consumer Reports as a Best Buy and has gotten pretty good reviews and it is very affordable. Enjoy the Windy City!

 

There is a magic place right before ABS kicks in, firmly squeeze right until ABS kicks in, then back off a fraction.

Avoid abrupt or jerky or stabby movements, this may cost you traction.

Remeber if the wheels arn't turning in the direction of travle,
your along for the ride.

Alex

 

Thanks for the tips I'm gonna buy a set of Falken Ziex Ze-512's to mount on my S-Lites. I'm gonna use those as my winter tires.

I'm buying a dedicated wheel set to the rest of the year. Thinking of the Yoko Parada Spec 2's. I LOVE the tread pattern on those!

 

Hey all!

Another tire dummie question. If I was buying the Falken Ziex Ze-512's for the stock S-Lites, should I buy a 205/45R17 or the 215/45R17?

Thanks!

 

I got the Falken Ziex Ze-512's 215/45 17's
More meat!:smile:

 

Thank You!

 

Ever watch the FIA WRC on Speed? When the rally has snow and ice they switch to skinnier tires. Skinny tires sink down into the snow and get to where is more traction. The smaller the contact patch means more pressure per square inch that the car makes. Granted 10mm in width is not much but for a first time Ice and Snow driver, I would strongly advise the 205/45R17

 

I'll second that about the skinny snow tires from the lake effect snow capitol of Michigan (well actually second to Marquette, but that might as well be another country).

You really want that 'pizza cutter' effect for the tire to go through the snow.

 

Wide is bad in ice or snow. Nokia in Finland makes superb snow tires and they are available here in the States competively (Greer has them). The reason is punch down and also the simple lbs/sq in friction. The rubber compound and tread patterns do make a difference too. The contact patch wants to be fairly small. I have a set of Blizzacks from Bridgestone and they are not in the same league as the Nokias. Not even close. But on a FWD car, they may be overkill. All four is virtually mandatory, forget the drive wheel only nonsense. Unless you are a terminal fan of oversteer.

You could sell off the S-lites and use steel, but be thinking about what you are going to carry as a spare. I bolt one of the original S-lites in the rear in lieu of seats and that works for me.

Once you start pushing significant snow you stop. Its a rule.

 

I bought mine for all the seasons not for just snow so you do want skinnier tires if it is just for winter. Sorry I should have read above.

 

Also, if you relly want to learn how to drive in wintery conditions
you can go to an empty mall parking lot & "practice" for awhile.
Just don't have too much fun or the law will show up (don't ask how I know this!). Might want to come out here & visit Bridgestone's winter driving school in Lovely Steamboat Springs (yep, shameless plug!). Call 1800whyskid. No, I'm not making that up. I'd like to personally find something besides Blizzak's.

Cris

 

Several people who live in Chicago told me the Blizzaks would be overkill for there. Apparently, they're excellent about getting rid of snow very quickly, making dedicated snow tires not so useful.

So I figured I'd mount a set of all season's on my S-Lites, and then buy a separate summer set of wheels/tires.

If we ever get some horrible snow days, the MINI will stay inside

 

By the way, you mean Nokian, right? Not Nokia.

Nokian is well known even in the cycling world!

http://www.nokiantires.com/newsite/index.html

 

The Falken Ziex ZE-512 is a good choice. You can get them at Sears, so they're easy to replace if you need to.