phred
01-29-2004, 09:36 AM
just to start a peaceful riot, here's one guy's opinion over there:
Being a native New Englander with over 25 years of driving to ski country and 15 years racing PRO Rally, my opinion is that winter driving comes down to two things: tires and experience.
Dedicated winter tires, Nokians are hands-down best in my opinion, make all the difference in the world. When it comes down to it, the only contact you have with the driving surface is your tires. No technology can make up for having the wrong tires for the road conditions. All-seasons are a compromise at best and tend towards hard rubber compounds for boasting longevity. High performance "summer" tires use rubber compounds that require heat build up for grip. In the winter, snow or no snow, a high performance tire's rubber gets hard, reducing grip. Dedicated winter tires have rubber compounds that remain soft and grippy in the coldest temperatures. Nokians tend to have firmer tread blocks and sidewalls so that dry road handling remains good without that squishy feeling that other snow tires have; Bridgestone Blizzaks are an example of that squishy dry road feel. Nokian tread design and rubber compound make the tires great handlers in rain, slush, snow and ice common to winter driving. I find that once someone tries some good snow tires, they are hooked.
Being a native New Englander with over 25 years of driving to ski country and 15 years racing PRO Rally, my opinion is that winter driving comes down to two things: tires and experience.
Dedicated winter tires, Nokians are hands-down best in my opinion, make all the difference in the world. When it comes down to it, the only contact you have with the driving surface is your tires. No technology can make up for having the wrong tires for the road conditions. All-seasons are a compromise at best and tend towards hard rubber compounds for boasting longevity. High performance "summer" tires use rubber compounds that require heat build up for grip. In the winter, snow or no snow, a high performance tire's rubber gets hard, reducing grip. Dedicated winter tires have rubber compounds that remain soft and grippy in the coldest temperatures. Nokians tend to have firmer tread blocks and sidewalls so that dry road handling remains good without that squishy feeling that other snow tires have; Bridgestone Blizzaks are an example of that squishy dry road feel. Nokian tread design and rubber compound make the tires great handlers in rain, slush, snow and ice common to winter driving. I find that once someone tries some good snow tires, they are hooked.