Looking for car thats good in snow (nyc)

[luv2liv]

everyone is recommending snow tires. but is there a brand thats great? or any winter tires will do?

how is this for my Camry? https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...7&autoModClar=&snowSortCode=12310&sortSize=14

 

[Jumpem]

everyone is recommending snow tires. but is there a brand thats great? or any winter tires will do?

how is this for my Camry? https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tire...7&autoModClar=&snowSortCode=12310&sortSize=14

That looks to be one of the few options available in your size. I used to use them every year a long time ago. They work well. Lately I have been using Bridgestone Blizzak or Michelin X-Ice Xi3.

 

[sdifox]

I had Blizzak (the W rated one) before and loved them. Hate the X-Ice Xi3 I have on now.

Put 4 good snow tires on the Altima and call it a day.

 

[nk215]

All my car has winter tires on with the exception of the jeep wrangler ( which is my summer car). I like Dunlop winter sport and have them on 2 of the three cars. The last one uses Michelin (there are not that many option for cayenne s). Always use them on full set of 4. Winter tires last about three to four years.

It is very important to keep the tire pressure on the winter tire correct. For every 10 degrees colder, you'll lose around 1 psi (compared to the temp you first fill them).

 

[KentState]

AWD will help you launch, but cornering and stopping can be fairly equal, if not the same no matter what wheels power the car. In all my years of driving in snow in NE Ohio, I only needed winter tires on an S-10 which had a lot of torque and no weight in the back.

 

[railer]

he went to Costco for snow tires. the person working there said snow tires wont help much on the Altima.

wtf?! Costco guy was an idiot?
try another Costco?

also, 4 snow tires, or just 2 for the front?

Costco guy was beyond idiotic. Snow's aren't going to help any LESS on an Altima, vs. any other FWD car. That makes no sense. For stop and go through an urban environment you probably only NEED snows on the fronts, but everyone will recommend getting them on all four wheels, which is the safest way to go.

Have him put 4 new snow tires on that Altima (Blizzaks are great), and he will not have issues in the NYC snow. Save about 24.5k.

 

[Jumpem]

I had Blizzak (the W rated one) before and loved them. Hate the X-Ice Xi3 I have on now.

Put 4 good snow tires on the Altima and call it a day.

Why?

 

[sdifox]

Why?

I think it just doesn't work for my car's torque profile. I slide like crazy without driving like an idiot. And I am on a 2 tonne AWD sedan

The Blizzaks were great. Should have insisted on a new set of Blizzaks.

 

[The J]

My Focus had the same Continental ContiPro tires on it stock and I absolutely hated them in the winter. I bought winter tires for the first time this year (Firestone Winterforce) and it really is a huge difference. Of course, having winter tires doesn't let you drive like an idiot, but I'm a "winter tire convert" now.

I live in southwest Michigan.

 

[debian0001]

I live in Chicago and drive a Dodge Neon and I was able to manage in the Snow weather....

 

[HitAnyKey]

Me thinks your Brother needs a bit more practice on snow and ice. Snow Tires are great and all but you can still wipe out with them if you don't know how to handle the car.

Get him some good tires with either new or nearly new tread and take him to a very very empty parking lot with no light poles. Practice breaking and turning. It should help.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

everyone is recommending snow tires. but is there a brand thats great? or any winter tires will do?

Can't go wrong with either Blizzaks or Michellin Xi-s.
Don't know how good the new Xi3s are, but I've been very happy with the Xi2s on my LS.
Brought them down with me to Texas, and people here look at me like I'm crazy

That said, it seems like studded Hakkapeliittas or Winterforces would serve me better here (more ice than snow)

 

[desy]

I drive an 09 Altima with general altimax winter tires with studs, no issue
The tire he has chosen is poor for winter, if you choose an ALL WEATHER tire not an ALL SEASON tire he would have been less disappointed
AWD will not save you it will allow you to drive when you shouldn't
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/glob...ther-tires-a-good-compromise/article16190526/

 

[tortillasoup]

I'm so happy to read all the responses in here unanimously support the usage of snow tires instead of erroneously recommending a new vehicle.

 

[Ferzerp]

I'm so happy to read all the responses in here unanimously support the usage of snow tires instead of erroneously recommending a new vehicle.

Still too many answers that think AWD is magical in the winter though

 

[Jumpem]

Still too many answers that think AWD is magical in the winter though

It is.

 

[jlarsson]

It is.

It is for accelerating. Not so much for stopping/turning, where it doesn't make a difference. Tires and driver ability matter more for winter driving.

 

[sdifox]

It is.

Helps you get going, doesn't help you stop

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

Heh, most drivers in DFW turn into comedians as soon as some ice hits

 

[LOUISSSSS]

i drove my 2005 accord with stock all season tires in upstate NY for college and in some storm where snow was up half my door. now i drive a RWD sports car in NYC with ~350hp with Bridgestone Potenza Summer tires and i've done fine all winter so far even in the last 2 snow storms. if his driving is mission critical... i'd go subaru impreza or forester.

 

[LTC8K6]

It is for accelerating. Not so much for stopping/turning, where it doesn't make a difference. Tires and driver ability matter more for winter driving.

Stopping can be different when you lift off the throttle and get engine braking. Full time four wheel drive should have more evenly distributed engine braking.

In theory, it could be less likely to swap ends when you get engine braking on a slippery surface.

I stop with trans in neutral though, so I don't get any engine braking.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

I'm so happy to read all the responses in here unanimously support the usage of snow tires instead of erroneously recommending a new vehicle.

Well, admittedly my Cavalier is dead easy to drive in winter w/ snow tires, due to it being FWD and having less power than the LS.

Only ever tried my old Gen 1 LS with crap and worn all-seasons in winter and it was a bloody nightmare.

 

[desy]

Stopping is worse, AWD cars are heavier and take longer to stop most everything else equal

 

[Jumpem]

Stopping is worse, AWD cars are heavier and take longer to stop most everything else equal

My AWD vehicle doesn't weigh any more than a Camry.

 

[Vdubchaos]

You are not looking for a car, you are looking for proper tire.

Snow tires will do just fine for just about any car out there.

My AWD vehicle doesn't weigh any more than a Camry.

AWD car will always weigh more than an equivalent vehicle with FWD

Snow tire with ANY wheel drive > all seasons + AWD