Winter driving comments

**MTL300C** · 08-18-2005, 08:55 PM

I wanted to get opinions from fellow Canadians that have gone thru a REAL winter driving a RWD LX (sorry, you americans don't get the stuff we get). I was looking to dump my Altima and get either a charger or magnum RT in RWD because the AWD is too dang expensive. All comments welcome!

**formerice** · 08-18-2005, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by MTLMagnum

I wanted to get opinions from fellow Canadians that have gone thru a REAL winter driving a RWD LX (sorry, you americans don't get the stuff we get). I was looking to dump my Altima and get either a charger or magnum RT in RWD because the AWD is too dang expensive. All comments welcome!

MTLMagnum, us lucky Mainers or Maniacs only get snow from September to June but we got frost heaves biggern houses and potholes that would swallow up schoolbuses. Any way, good snowtires with rearwheel drive,no problem. Conti's all bets are off, when they dig you out in the spring, it won't be good! I love to drive in Canada,you guys have good roads.

**Zog** · 08-19-2005, 02:38 AM

Ditch the Conti's before you leave the dealership. Most dealerships, or tire shops, will give you credit for trading in a brand new set of skins. My RT has a set of BFG G-Force KDWS 245/55/18. No difference in diameter, so the spedo won't require recalibration.

**MTL300C** · 08-20-2005, 01:20 PM

Yes, but has anyone driven this thing in winter? I don't want to be getting stuck at every street corner. Yes, winter tires guaranteed(blizzaks or something)

**VanillaAWD** · 08-20-2005, 01:47 PM

Well, I can't comment on the performance of RWD in the snow and ice (but there have been several lengthy threads on this posted previously) - I got AWD just because of our long winters. I didn't get snow tires, thinking that AWD would suffice - big mistake! Straight-line traction is pretty good with AWD, but cornering and stopping are lousy on the Conti's in the slick stuff. I'm definitely getting winter tires this fall - anyone have any suggestions as to a good tire?

**Northern Rider** · 08-20-2005, 03:22 PM

I drive in Ottawa and tried the contis for a while last year. No good. I put Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snows 255/55/18s on for the winter. Excellent on snow and ice. Superior to the contis on dry pavement.

If the temp goes below freezing, all seasons don't work.Period. In Northern Europe car makers deliver your new car with 2 sets of tires - summer and winter. It's the law there.

Where I live, the ditches are littered with AWD SUVs every winter because they didn't put winter tires on.

**MTL300C** · 08-24-2005, 04:13 PM

I'm trying to see if I can avoid the AWD because I wanted a Daytona or SRT8.

**BigBadMagnum99** · 09-24-2005, 05:19 PM

Vanilla AWD....Good winters to look at are the Blizzaks or even Cooper Discovery M&S. I have owned the Cooper Discovery M&S on two of my trucks. The Discovery's have lasted me 4 winter driving seasons and I can get another season out of them. I usually mount the tires in the end of October and take them off in the beginning of april (5 to 6 months of driving).

I have ordered my 06 AWD Magnum RT and still waiting but I have already worked out a deal to trade in the Conti's when I get the car. I traded them in for new Toyo S/T's and got new rims. I am getting some Cooper Discovery's M&S that will fit the stock 18's rims. I think he quoted me $195/tire including mounting and taxes. They are giving me $145/conti tire which is better than nothing!

**Mikeyjohn** · 09-24-2005, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by MTLMagnum

Yes, but has anyone driven this thing in winter? I don't want to be getting stuck at every street corner. Yes, winter tires guaranteed(blizzaks or something)

I have driven my C in winter here in Calgary and I will say it again you do not need winter tires with this car, the Contis are fine. I believe I was the first to post anywhere last year on my first experience in snow.

If you feel comfortable with winter tires then do it, but I would suggest you try the car out in snow before you go out and buy.

**BigBadMagnum99** · 09-26-2005, 01:56 AM

Originally Posted by Mikeyjohn

I have driven my C in winter here in Calgary and I will say it again you do not need winter tires with this car, the Contis are fine. I believe I was the first to post anywhere last year on my first experience in snow.

If you feel comfortable with winter tires then do it, but I would suggest you try the car out in snow before you go out and buy.

Slight difference in snow type in Calgary vs. Revelstoke, BC.

I would guarantee you would swap out those conti's after driving one day driving on Highway 1 through Golden, BC to Salmon Arm and you would have to chain up before you hit Roger Pass if there was a good snowfall. The interior of British Columbia get's a lot more of a heavy wet snow. The conti's vs a true M&S is no comparisons as the conti's would turn to a harder rubber in cooler temps vs a softer rubber M&S tire. Also, like to see how the conti would handle with a fresh snowfall of 2 feet with that tread pattern.

I will stick with swapping out my all season tires for studded winter tires each winter season.

**VanillaAWD** · 09-26-2005, 02:21 AM

mbeck - thanks for the tip on the tires. I've already ordered the Pirelli's from Tire Rack (even with duty, brokerage fees, exchange, etc. they're still $200 cheaper for a set of 4 than anywhere I could find in Canada...). Hopefully, they'll do the job. My driving is 90% highway, and having driven several winters with snow tires on other vehicles, I can attest to the added security they provide, which for me is worth the expense.

Where did you find wheels that will fit an AWD, and what are they (manufacturer and model)? I thought there weren't any aftermarket wheels yet, with the odd offset needed by the AWD.

**BigBadMagnum99** · 09-26-2005, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by VanillaAWD

mbeck - thanks for the tip on the tires. I've already ordered the Pirelli's from Tire Rack (even with duty, brokerage fees, exchange, etc. they're still $200 cheaper for a set of 4 than anywhere I could find in Canada...). Hopefully, they'll do the job. My driving is 90% highway, and having driven several winters with snow tires on other vehicles, I can attest to the added security they provide, which for me is worth the expense.

Where did you find wheels that will fit an AWD, and what are they (manufacturer and model)? I thought there weren't any aftermarket wheels yet, with the odd offset needed by the AWD.

I can attest as well as 90% of my driving is on Highway 1 between Golden & Salmon Arm, and the snow tires are well worth the money. I learned my first winter season in Revelstoke that even brand new BFG All-terrain T/A's and truck in 4x4 I was sliding all over with a fresh wet 2 foot snowfall on Highway 1. Since that episode I have always used True M&S winter tires with studs, they stick a lot better on the road as well stop 30 to 50% better than all season tires in winter driving conditions.

I got Revelstoke Excel tire to look for the correct bolt pattern and offset. I ordered Eagle Alloys Series 025's with a 5x114.3 mm bolt pattern and a +42mm offset. They did almost 2 months of searching for the wheels and one of there distrubutors told him th Eagle Alloy 025 would bolt on with no problem.

If you look on the websites an offset between I believe +34mm to +55mm with a bolt pattern of 5x115 or 5X114.3 would fit the AWD Magnums and 300C's. I still have not gotten the Eagle alloys on my car as I am still waiting for delivery of my 06 Magnum RT AWD. I will keep you posted on the wheel fitment. I think I got the 20" rims for $250 Cdn a piece as it was a clearance. The 20" Toyo S/T's cost even more than the rim $375 a piece.

I would imagine the Pirelli's would work great with the AWD sytem on your Magnum.

Cheers

**Chmie** · 10-06-2005, 04:26 PM

Will be putting four 235/55R18 Blizzak Winterbiters on my 2005 RT RWD this weekend. Bought from Kal Tire in Lethbridge, Alberta for $300 each mounted, balanced and installed. A bit of a deal I got from my Dodge dealer where I bought the car. This will be the first winter in over 15 years that we have run a rear drive car. Previously they were Jeeps and Durangos so this will be interesting.

**joescat** · 10-07-2005, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by Chmie

This will be the first winter in over 15 years that we have run a rear drive car. Previously they were Jeeps and Durangos so this will be interesting.

Me too. All front wheel drive, then a Durango (winter is a non issue in the Durango - I CRAVED snow!). Hopefully, I'll be getting my Charger BEFORE the snow flies here in Michigan - which could be anytime mid-late November, but we've been spared past few years for the most part. Ohio to the south got a couple of whollops, so did more north.

**bogman** · 10-13-2005, 11:30 PM

Originally Posted by MTLMagnum

I wanted to get opinions from fellow Canadians that have gone thru a REAL winter driving a RWD LX (sorry, you americans don't get the stuff we get). I was looking to dump my Altima and get either a charger or magnum RT in RWD because the AWD is too dang expensive. All comments welcome!

THE R/T AWD IS MAGNIFIENT IN SNOW AND ICE-NEVER SLIPPED-SKIDDED OR BUDGED WHILE DRIVING IN BAD SNOW AND ICE-WELL WORTH THE BUCKS
BOGMAN.