SPD Tuning Service

Page down for detailed information. Suggestions, comments and questions are always welcome.

This section is new and I have never driven any modern snow tire except the Pirelli 210/190 series. Never felt the need to change them to something "better". From what I have heard in conversations, the Bridgestone "blizzak" name refers to their add campaign, not the tires. There are the Finnish Nokia and Happakola (spelling??!) tires that one hears about from those living in heavy snow areas, but I have not driven them. Comments are welcome in this area.

I think that the  important considerations for a winter tire is how it goes on snow and how it handles in the wet, on the partial gravel/sand surfaces that winter roads become. For these two conditions I can recommend the Pirelli Winter 210/190 and the newer P210 Asemmetrico without  reservation. I run 185/65-15 at present which leave room for chains when there is ice. A car that handles well on dry pavement will handle well on snow, water and sand with suitable tires and speeds.

Regarding ice and winter conditions in general, there is NO substitute for caution AND experience. Probably in that order! Never attempt a work out on a winter road, unless you have driven it, at that time of day, at that temperature! Ice on the road is usually patches for 30-100 feet, the rest of the road being clear. I am not going to tell you the tricks to finding ice, they are best left to experience, go slow, live and learn.   Also, remember that it can be dry up a mountain pass, wet over the top at 35 (3C) degrees only to drop into ice conditions as you go down the other side.

Winter tires tend to have softer sidewalls than performance tires, so in the dry they feel a bit like a willow tree in a breeze. In addition, they have special low temperature rubber compounds and a high filler content of usually ground walnut shell or other similar material. As a result, their wear is not good on warm, dry roads and they tend to get torn up very easily if driven hard, especially on gravel. Do not confuse gravel rally tires with snow tires. Two completely different animals.

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Last modified: May 23, 2000