Today was the first day I had a chance to try my winter tires in actual snow. It wasn't a lot of snow: only 2 - 3 inches. Other conditions:
I chose the road because it's one that I usually avoid in anything except ideal weather, but it also makes a good test run for snow tires. It's not that different from the roads in my beloved village of Sparrow-Fart except that it's about a thousand feet higher, and in Sparrow-Fart we actually plow before we drop sand or salt.
In any case, the tires performed admirably. On a straight stretch, I attempted a deliberate skid and was unable to start one. I also did hit a surprise patch of ice in a turn, but the wheels gripped it well. No problems accelerating uphill or decelerating downhill using either the brakes or engine braking.
I had no problems at all, in fact. The tires performed better than I'd hoped.
Because it wasn't a lot of snow, however, and because it was relatively warm, this is only a preliminary report. The real test will come when we get more snow, and especially when driving uphill after a refreeze. That's the biggest winter driving challenge I face: The last half mile to my house. If the temperature dips into the teens F, it refreezes.
I will report again when we get a more respectable snowstorm.
Richard
- Tires: General Altimax Arctic 195/65 R15, studded, all around.
- Snow condition: Compacted. Occasional icy patches.
- Road type: Paved mountain road.
- Surface Treatment: Sanded but not salted. It looked like they dropped sand but didn't plow.
- Terrain: Hilly and twisted.
- Driver: Old and twisted.
- Elevation: varying from about 1,500 feet to about 2,600 feet ASL.
- Temperature: high 20's to low 30's F.
- Lading: Just me (205 lbs) on the going trip. Me plus 300 lbs of rock salt in the rear on the return trip.
- Coffee: Two cups Columbian, freshly-ground, with creamer and stevia.
- Total trip: 54 miles (27 x 2).
I chose the road because it's one that I usually avoid in anything except ideal weather, but it also makes a good test run for snow tires. It's not that different from the roads in my beloved village of Sparrow-Fart except that it's about a thousand feet higher, and in Sparrow-Fart we actually plow before we drop sand or salt.
In any case, the tires performed admirably. On a straight stretch, I attempted a deliberate skid and was unable to start one. I also did hit a surprise patch of ice in a turn, but the wheels gripped it well. No problems accelerating uphill or decelerating downhill using either the brakes or engine braking.
I had no problems at all, in fact. The tires performed better than I'd hoped.
Because it wasn't a lot of snow, however, and because it was relatively warm, this is only a preliminary report. The real test will come when we get more snow, and especially when driving uphill after a refreeze. That's the biggest winter driving challenge I face: The last half mile to my house. If the temperature dips into the teens F, it refreezes.
I will report again when we get a more respectable snowstorm.
Richard
