It would be nice, but one should educate themselves when buying a car which is as bent on performance as the STi. The really funny thing is seeing X5's and Mercedes M class SUV's getting turned around at chain check points in the Sierra's! LOL

 

agreed
cant you tell just from the tread? lol

 

Not only are they deadly in the snow, but being summer-only tires they are also worthless even in the dry once the temperature dips below about 45 degrees.
You are hardly the first person to have wrecked, or almost wrecked, from driving in winter conditions with these tires. These posts began appearing as soon as the first cold snap hit when the STi's were first released.

 

I don't think I am a car expert but I don't think I agree with this... I live in PA and have been driving my car since october 30th.. and it's only been getting colder. I have been driving my car when it's about 30 degrees out and wet and I've noticed no difference in how it handles in the dry and warmer... Given I'm not driving like an idiot by going 100+ mph but so far I think they are good.. only time I kinda got scared was when I went through about a 10 foot long puddle about 60mph and I could feel my car hydroplane somewhat... that worried me but was under control.

Don't want to start any pissing wars :-p

Question though how come the stock tires are so good in the summer even though there is like NO tread on them? I thought tread was good?

Thanks for the advance clarification.

-Nigel

 

The minimal tread makes for less squirm and maximum dry handling and stickiness.
While you may not have had any bad experiences yet in the colder weather, be assured that these tires (and any summer-only tires not all-season rated) will have nowhere near the same traction in freezing temperatures as in warmer conditions. Your margin of safety isn't there if you need to call on the now-nonexistent extra grip. You aren't doing yourself any favors by keeping them on your car past October.

 

If tread was good, then why are dry race tires usually slick? Tires grip the road by making contact with it, so when the tire has grooves in it, it inheriently has less grip (then the equivalent compound on a slick tire).

On dry pavement, the compound of rubber has more to do with grip then the tread. The compound is also very important when picking out a winter tire as well. Most summer tires start to lose their grip when it gets chilly, and when it gets near freezing, summer tires turn to plastic and it doesn't matter how big or small your treadblocks are because they can't grip anything when they are so hard. So, the best tire at 80-100 degrees is not the same tire as the best for 50 degrees or less.

You need tread when you aren't on dry pavement. The tread pattern will help move water (or dirt, loose ice, snow, etc) away from the treadblocks to allow the treadblocks to contact pavement.

 

I see... thank you both for the replies and knowledge :-)

-Nigel

 

i say this is even worse than totalling your car, if it was... lol.......

 

BACK to the point, I just wanted to let peeps know that these tires are DEADLY in the snow!!! I wasn't going fast at all, around 3-5mph and my car slid like I was riding on a@@ lube. FYI

 

i use the bridgestone blizzak studdless... all around the best snow tire, but snow only! they are a bit pricey but they work well. just no taking turns/ corners really fast or expect so power slide! i learned that going into someone elses garage door at 15mph- talk about embarrasing! also talk about a bi**ch- totalled my aps d/r 650... time for a 725 now hahahaa!

 

lol a garage door??? damn, i feel better now

 

Also you gotta remember the slicks are being used on completely flat and beautiful sexy pavement. The tread comes in handy to grip on the imperfections in the road.....think mud tires have the most insane treads, race slicks the least..........mud is bumpy and crazy, race tracks are smooth and silky. Smoothness combined with smoothness is the best for traction, but when you got uneven ground you need uneven tires.