Actually, the skinnier tire will help you in the snow.
Interesting. That's the second time I've heard that, but it sounds counter-intuitive. Wider tires = more contact patch = more traction in snow, no? Please explain, I'm curious now.
Thanks,
i believe it has to do with 'cutting' through the snow. the wider tire surface will spread the weight of the car out on the surface giving you less psi which means less grip. skinnier tires will sink easier in snow.
but if you buy a really good snow tire, the actual size shouldn't really matter much. you will notice that snow tires have large spaces between the treads to allow snow to compact in those areas, which then allows the rubber to get something to grip on (if the snow isn't too deep of course)
the problem with winter tires is that they wear much quicker due to the fact that the treads are more spread out, and give poorer mileage as well. a trade off for safety of course.
anyone with a better explanation feel free to take a crack at it!
You're right about cutting through the snow. Think of it this way, if your tires are 10" wide, and you are going through 5" of snow, not all of that snow can be compacted into the spaces in the treads. If you walk beside a car that is driving (slowly) through deep snow, you will see that some snow gets pushed out to the side. If your tires were only 5" wide, a higher percentage of the snow under your tire could be pushed to the side, and your tires have a better chance of getting to pavement (gravel, whatever). One thing I have been told and believe from my own experience is that this matters more if you have slush at the base of the snow. If you have no slush between the road and the snow, the snow that compacts into the tire treads actually helps grip the snow under your tires and increases traction.
Thanks for the explanation guys. Now I feel better about going from 165 wide tires to 155 to improve fuel economy... I was worried they would be like ice skates in the winter.
Thanks for the explanation guys. Now I feel better about going from 165 wide tires to 155 to improve fuel economy... I was worried they would be like ice skates in the winter.
I've got 155/70/13 snow tires and they are good, it's a nice size.
Well I'm going from a 205/40r17 to a 185/65r15 for snow tires.
This is on my mk3 gasser, I have 205/60r14's on my mk2.
Still getting close to 35 on the gasser with the 17's.
Cool thing is all the wheels I have will fit either car.
dan
Dan: Any clearance issues with the larger tires on your MK III?
Where I grew up summer was three months of bad skiing. Of course, that was before the new technology rubber compounds came about...but those are only really good for ice contact. Back in '96 I bought a '92 Golf NA that came with Hallipalitta (sp?) snow tires. They were incredible, especially on ice...but VERY soft compound. Wore out right quick.
One thing to keep in mind though, if you go with a skinnier tire and there is enough snow on your roads to "rut" the road....your car will follow them like mad.
What a suprise, all 3 of your posts say the same thing. Shocking. Post to post salesman?
