X-Post: Bay Area folks opinions on Michelin Pilot Sport A/S for Tahoe ski trip runs and yr round fun

TheLex · 11-04-2002, 11:09 PM

As those of us who live in the Bay Area know, the drive to Tahoe is 3/4 or more on dry/wet pavement. It isn't until you get to the chain control checkpoint that you have to worry about snow. And CalTrans keeps the roads pretty clear, though there are times when it snows heavy enough to form 2-5" of fresh stuff on the roads between plows (usually late at night). And yes, there is the problem with black ice as well. I go up only 2 weekends or so per month, so the amount of time I spend in snow country just isn't all that great.

How many or you are similiar and feel that running the Michelin Pilot A/S will be adequate for these kind of Tahoe ski trip runs? The bonus would seem to indicate that they'll be better than my Pirelli's in BOTH snow/wet and dry. BTW, I'm thinking of getting the 245/50x17 size.

Finman · 11-04-2002, 11:47 PM

just make sure they have an M&S rating...I have seen the chain-control dudes stop cars and check the tires...
My Dunlop Wintersport M2s did fine last year through the Sierras...but I put 'em on and take 'em off for each trip up (over) there...

TheLex · 11-05-2002, 12:10 AM

I'm more concerned with actual performance tho. I'd rather have some true snow tires, but since the overwhelming majority of my driving would be on dry/wet pavement, I'm hoping the Pilot A/S will be sufficient for me to get around up in snow country. My Chevy Tahoe with the BFG AT's do quite well, but I suspect the dynamics of my allroad will more than make up for the true offroad BFG AT's.

Finman · 11-05-2002, 09:16 AM

I decided that I didn't want to try to cover both with one tire...so I just change my wheels before and after my Tahoe trips. Takes me approximately 45 minutes or so...unless I'm having jack problems...for me it's worth it...if I'm going 2 weeks in a row or 2 out of 3, I'll just leave them on for those weeks...otherwise they get changed...

Colo Flyer · 11-05-2002, 10:57 AM

Superior to the Dunlop SP5000's that I had. Good compromise tire that won't hurt you when you get in the messy stuff.

alfabutt · 11-05-2002, 02:52 PM

in mine. The local big time euro body shop had a totalled S4 in there last year, when the driver wiped out coming out of Mammoth. Are you Quattro'd?

TheLex · 11-05-2002, 04:25 PM

I want to make the distinction between the regular pilots and the Pilot A/S which have a mud/snow rating. Supposedly these work decent in the snow. In fact, tirerack has a rating of 8 point something for snow performance.

Bollinger · 11-05-2002, 10:02 PM

It is helpful, but a tire can be M&S rated and be terrible in the snow.

Other than that I have no helpful info other than the stock (all-season) Contis aren't great in snow.

11-04-2002, 11:09 PM	#1
TheLex Member Account #: 43955 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 1,605	X-Post: Bay Area folks opinions on Michelin Pilot Sport A/S for Tahoe ski trip runs and yr round fun As those of us who live in the Bay Area know, the drive to Tahoe is 3/4 or more on dry/wet pavement. It isn't until you get to the chain control checkpoint that you have to worry about snow. And CalTrans keeps the roads pretty clear, though there are times when it snows heavy enough to form 2-5" of fresh stuff on the roads between plows (usually late at night). And yes, there is the problem with black ice as well. I go up only 2 weekends or so per month, so the amount of time I spend in snow country just isn't all that great. How many or you are similiar and feel that running the Michelin Pilot A/S will be adequate for these kind of Tahoe ski trip runs? The bonus would seem to indicate that they'll be better than my Pirelli's in BOTH snow/wet and dry. BTW, I'm thinking of getting the 245/50x17 size. __________________

11-04-2002, 11:47 PM	#2
Finman Elder Member Account #: 12452 Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 12,700	Should be ok...but might be a problem once or twice... just make sure they have an M&S rating...I have seen the chain-control dudes stop cars and check the tires... My Dunlop Wintersport M2s did fine last year through the Sierras...but I put 'em on and take 'em off for each trip up (over) there... __________________ 2001 A6 4.2 "Superfast Silver" *SOLD* :( 2002 S6 Avant "Cop-Camouflage Amulet" 2003 20AE GTI *SOLD* 2008 Land Rover LR3 2008 Mercedes E320 Bluetec

11-05-2002, 12:10 AM	#3
TheLex Member Account #: 43955 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 1,605	Michelins do have M/S rating...... I'm more concerned with actual performance tho. I'd rather have some true snow tires, but since the overwhelming majority of my driving would be on dry/wet pavement, I'm hoping the Pilot A/S will be sufficient for me to get around up in snow country. My Chevy Tahoe with the BFG AT's do quite well, but I suspect the dynamics of my allroad will more than make up for the true offroad BFG AT's. __________________

11-05-2002, 09:16 AM	#4
Finman Elder Member Account #: 12452 Join Date: Nov 2000 Posts: 12,700	It's all about 'balancing' the 99% of your driving with the 1% snow... I decided that I didn't want to try to cover both with one tire...so I just change my wheels before and after my Tahoe trips. Takes me approximately 45 minutes or so...unless I'm having jack problems...for me it's worth it...if I'm going 2 weeks in a row or 2 out of 3, I'll just leave them on for those weeks...otherwise they get changed... __________________ 2001 A6 4.2 "Superfast Silver" *SOLD* :( 2002 S6 Avant "Cop-Camouflage Amulet" 2003 20AE GTI *SOLD* 2008 Land Rover LR3 2008 Mercedes E320 Bluetec

11-05-2002, 10:57 AM	#5
Colo Flyer Member Account #: 9395 Join Date: Aug 2000 Posts: 96	Not Bay area, But they work great in Denver Superior to the Dunlop SP5000's that I had. Good compromise tire that won't hurt you when you get in the messy stuff.

11-05-2002, 02:52 PM	#6
alfabutt Junior Member Account #: 14343 Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 561	The S4 guys admonish against Pilots in the snow. I went with Dunlop snows for the winter in mine. The local big time euro body shop had a totalled S4 in there last year, when the driver wiped out coming out of Mammoth. Are you Quattro'd? __________________ 2000 A6 4.2 purchased 6-11-2003.Eibach, Konis. 18's coming. 2004 Evo - this car is nuts! 1969 Alfa Romeo GTA jr, Autodelta prepared,twin plug,sliding block, knuckle risers, factory cold air box, 7"x14" Campy's. 21k miles!

11-05-2002, 04:25 PM	#7
TheLex Member Account #: 43955 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 1,605	Jah, quattro allroad.... I want to make the distinction between the regular pilots and the Pilot A/S which have a mud/snow rating. Supposedly these work decent in the snow. In fact, tirerack has a rating of 8 point something for snow performance. __________________

11-05-2002, 10:02 PM	#8
Bollinger Elder Member Account #: 502 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 39,985	M/S rating is only a measure of tread space versus void space in the tire pattern It is helpful, but a tire can be M&S rated and be terrible in the snow. Other than that I have no helpful info other than the stock (all-season) Contis aren't great in snow. __________________ -- "Nonconformity? Oh yeah, you're the first 20 something kid I have seen with a Japanese letter tattooed on his arm. You want to be a nonconformist? Buy a pocket protector and get a haircut. The Chinese kids spending 20 hours at a time in the library are the ones who really don't care what you think about them" - Dr. House (fictional character)

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