Jeffrey Makela 6 Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 People say my spark wont be good in the snow because the tires are small and thin. They say I need fat tires to drive in the snow/ Link to post Share on other sites
sparkfanatic 70 Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 Just the opposite , the skinny tires cut through the snow and more weight is distributed to the tire . BRAVO241 1 Link to post Share on other sites
westernpa25 16 Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 no problems with the spark in the snowbelt last winter... BRAVO241 1 Link to post Share on other sites
psquare75 35 Posted November 22, 2013 Share Posted November 22, 2013 My father is on the road constantly for work with his and I'm in MA. He said it was fine/great. Link to post Share on other sites
Shane Duus 6 Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 Fat tires are good for traction on hard surfaces where it can get a good firm grip. Skinny tall tires are awesome in water, snow and gas mileage Link to post Share on other sites
stevesparky 20 Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 If you have lots of snow and ice, think about studded snow tires. You can get aftermarket black steel rims for about $50 ea. Link to post Share on other sites
westernpa25 16 Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 My Lil Snow plow we have gotten about 20 inches in the past 4 days made it to work and back without problems even plowed the driveway a bit with the front BRAVO241 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Greg_E 211 Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 (edited) All depends on the type of snow and how far you need to drive. My drive home last night was miserable, the snows went on right after dinner. To me the snow tires are money well spent and I always recommend four decent snow tires to people who live in snow regions. For the type of snow I get around here, I think the stock tires are lacking. The best I've found for local conditions are the Winterforce snows with directional tread to help move through the water/slush. On drier snow the stock tires are almost OK. Edited November 27, 2013 by Greg_E Link to post Share on other sites
NoSprak 17 Posted November 27, 2013 Share Posted November 27, 2013 we get heavy, wet lake effect snow. You really need snow tires in order to be safe. $400 for snow tires and junkyard wheels is less than my insurance deductible. Link to post Share on other sites
Greg_E 211 Posted November 28, 2013 Share Posted November 28, 2013 After driving home tonight I'm going going to say that no matter what type of snow, cars should have snow tires. This car is very different with the junky Glacier Grip tires I have on it. Without doing a back to back driving test it's hard to remember how much different. Link to post Share on other sites
Jeffrey Makela 6 Posted December 6, 2013 Author Share Posted December 6, 2013 I drive my spark in the snow for the first time. The traction control light came on a few times. and the anti look brakes came on to I think. I hope its that fast clicking noise. Link to post Share on other sites
OldSparky 0 Posted December 7, 2013 Share Posted December 7, 2013 Chances are yes that was your brakes. So was you all over the road our did it track good. How much snow you taking? Link to post Share on other sites
malibuguy 14 Posted December 11, 2013 Share Posted December 11, 2013 Wifey had no issues with the recent snow. She had disable the traction control (I'm glad I showed her) because initally when it would kick in it would send her sliding then it wouldn't let her accelerate. She disabled the TC and she it drove very well. I do plan on getting real snow tires for it next year. Link to post Share on other sites
Greg_E 211 Posted December 12, 2013 Share Posted December 12, 2013 Yes, traction control can be a huge pain. But it seems like it learns because I can get some spin before it kicks in, and sometimes make it power through the spin. Link to post Share on other sites
Riverspark 28 Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 I have noticed a difference and when I was in Watertown, NY there was a considerable amount of snow and the Spark was fine. I have noticed because the rim size is smaller for my snow tires the car now rubs on some driveway entrances…….I hate it >.< No damage you can see thankfully but I'm sure I'm losing paint on the underside…..well if I can't see it, it doesn't exist lol. Link to post Share on other sites
NoSprak 17 Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 What size snow tires are you running compared to stock? I am 80 miles south of Watertown and we have no snow here :( Though, halfway between they are getting hit HARD with snow! They have a few FEET! Link to post Share on other sites
Riverspark 28 Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 They put 14 inch rims on my car at the shop, I do like the drive on the snow tires over the stocks for some reason BRAVO241 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Greg_E 211 Posted December 13, 2013 Share Posted December 13, 2013 (edited) What size snow tires are you running compared to stock? I am 80 miles south of Watertown and we have no snow here :( Though, halfway between they are getting hit HARD with snow! They have a few FEET! You do now! Or go south a bit, Tully is where it really starts to pick up. All I can say again is that even my cheap snows give better traction than the stock tires and any little bit helps keep you out of the ditch. To me it was worth the cost of wheels, tires, and TPMS sensors. That said, each person needs to decide for themselves how much they need to drive on the snow, what kind of snow, and how fast they want to go. I have 14's on my car too, but a taller tire than the stock by a bit. Next set you'll have to get larger diameter tires, or go back and complain. Edited December 13, 2013 by Greg_E Link to post Share on other sites
NoSprak 17 Posted December 14, 2013 Share Posted December 14, 2013 You do now! Or go south a bit, Tully is where it really starts to pick up. All I can say again is that even my cheap snows give better traction than the stock tires and any little bit helps keep you out of the ditch. To me it was worth the cost of wheels, tires, and TPMS sensors. That said, each person needs to decide for themselves how much they need to drive on the snow, what kind of snow, and how fast they want to go. I have 14's on my car too, but a taller tire than the stock by a bit. Next set you'll have to get larger diameter tires, or go back and complain. I'm a bit confused ... I live in the snowiest city in the country and there's not much snow! Aren't you somewhat local to me? I may have asked at some point. I drove from Syracuse up to my parents (East of Rome) and got a good bit of lake effect. Not a lot of accumulation, but it wascoming down hard at times and pretty cold! Link to post Share on other sites
Greg_E 211 Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 Got to be at least 8 inches on the ground here now, haven't gone outside today so might be worse. Link to post Share on other sites
austex04 48 Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 I'm about to find out how it does in snow in the next 5-8 weeks, after not driving in snow or ice after 10 years. I'll be going through mountain passes during the winter. Do they even make tire cables that fit these odd sized tires? Has anybody bought chains for their cars, and where did they find them? How do they fit? I've used snow chains before, on a normal sized car. Link to post Share on other sites
Shane Duus 6 Posted December 15, 2013 Share Posted December 15, 2013 I grew up in Whitesboro, and my mom lives up in Remsen...I sure don't miss storms like these Link to post Share on other sites
NoSprak 17 Posted December 16, 2013 Share Posted December 16, 2013 I grew up in Whitesboro, and my mom lives up in Remsen...I sure don't miss storms like these Oh, cool! I grew up in Frankfort! My parents moved a few years ago - they are only about 10 miles from Remsen now. (North of Utica). I had to hop ship to Syracuse because there are no jobs. I'm about to find out how it does in snow in the next 5-8 weeks, after not driving in snow or ice after 10 years. I'll be going through mountain passes during the winter. Do they even make tire cables that fit these odd sized tires? Has anybody bought chains for their cars, and where did they find them? How do they fit? I've used snow chains before, on a normal sized car. I was going to suggest checking on CL for a set of used snow tires already mounted ... but I don't think too many of those pop up on CL where you are. I would try to get two and figure out a way to keep them in the car. Ideally, you would have 4 but 2 is better than nothing. Last year I took a trip in a friend's car with new Cooper CS4. They are rated very well for all season tires in the snow. The CS4s were horrid in the snow (compared to dedicated snow tires). I ended up having to drive because my friend got afraid in the snow. I don't feel comfortable driving in snow / ice without proper snow tires. Link to post Share on other sites
BRAVO241 2 Posted December 16, 2013 Share Posted December 16, 2013 I put these on 14" rims...solved all my probs on hilly, snowy, slick roads in WNY's ski country!! http://www.nokiantires.com/tyre?id=195116&group=1.01&name=Nokian%20Nordman%204 Link to post Share on other sites
austex04 48 Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 (edited) Thanks for the suggestions, but I'm not buying snow tires just to drive cross country one time, and then to never drive in snow again after. I'm asking if anyone has bought snow cables, and who makes Mickey Mouse sized tire cables. That is in case there's a good snowstorm, and they decide to enforce the chain law in the passes. Snow tires will not help me when chains are required. Edited December 17, 2013 by austex04 Link to post Share on other sites
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