I got the Conti's here as well. Always use em on all my cars for winter. Work awesome and we get a fair share of snow storms in Detroit.

 

Buy yourself a set of Hakkapeleta RSi's, head to O'Neil rally school, and never worry about driving in the snow again!

That being said, I've never been to the O'Neil rally school, but I can tell you that with the Hakkies my IX has never encountered a problem here in VT (about 100 in. snow/year too). But clearance is deffinately an issue - I've got the SE and I've cracked/knocked off the front bumper 3 times in two years driving up dirt roads.

 

Holy ****

 

Anyone know where I can get a set of Hakkys at a good price?

 

Has anyone ever tried the michelin pilot alpin 3? The reviews on tirerack are very positive. I would be somewhat leery due to the asymmetrical tread design. I would think that a directional tread pattern would be better at evacuating snow/slush/rain.

 

Bayside, WI here. Blizzaks work wonders on the car. The car is awesome in snow and ice. Every storm we have had so far, I have embarassed any SUV that thinks they can handle better. As many eluded to the issue is clearance. Be very careful with the front bumper and check the intercooler often. Mine gets packed with snow all the time, especially in parking lots where the parking spots are short and mounds of snow always seem to be at the intercooler level.

 

i live in edmonton alberta Canada na we get good dumps of snow as well. Last winter with the evo x and those stupid advant the tires sucked and i hit ice and curbed my rim pretty good. This year i went and got nokian RSI and i am loving the snow. The awd system is awsome. Loads of funn drifting all the corners around my house and not worrying about smoking the tires off The performance of the s-awd and even the traction control are good. Most traction control veh you drive are quite restrictive. Meaning that you accelerate a little fast or your 1 tire slips just a tillt and then whammo.... the brakes come ona dn the care starts slowing down a lot. The Evo x isn't like that at all. MOST of the tive even with the TC on you can have your way with the car. As for the slow plow thing haven't had a big enuf dump yet, but it has gotten to -37c with the windchill here

 

Wow and you drive your X with summer tires in that environment. All I can say is you have humongous b*!@lls to even attempt it!

Later, Ken

 

Just some thoughts on driving under winter condition with stock advan tires. I was caught with 8-12 in of snow this past weekend in the Reno, NV area. When I was driving off the resort, I was driving under 20 mph, 2nd gear, and I turned, braked, and my car started to drift. Given this is my first time driving under winter conditions, I panic, started to break, and engine stalled. I came in about 6 inches to the car opposite side. That was slowest potential accident drift EVER. My car was literally moving at 5 mph toward the opposing car. Luckily, there was no damage and I drove the next 100 miles in some 45 mph wind, and 8 in of snow. I was actually surprised on how the EVO X handled with the advans under these mild conditions, it wasn't all that bad. But I can't imagine if there are more than 3 inches of stacked snow.

Next time, I am making sure I go with all season tires at a minimal before I head up to play with slots again. Since my home area never snows or get too hot, it doesn't make a lot of sense just to buy some snow tires.

Question: When I turn my car into snow mode, isn't all the traction and sAWC and Active Y control turned on? Or is it only turned once the car is off skidding?

I plan to go up to the mountain one more time for business, what can I do in turns of settings to make my ride safer? And yes, I plan to continue use my stock advans until maybe next year.

 

those are always on anyway. hit the ASC off button and it will turn off the Active Stability Control feature that allows the car to cut engine power to maintain controll. Hold the button down for ~3seconds and it will turn the ASC feature that allows the car to break the inner wheels while taking a corner to maintain controll.


However, the SAWC and AYC are always active. all snow mode does is effect the way the power is delivered from the engine to maximize grip. It really only makes a difference when accelerating.

 

You are treading on thin, no, very thin ice using the OEM Yoko in snow or ice; get the A/S now and shoe the advans in the summer or no more threat of snow/freezing temp.'s. Better to be safe than sorry.

Later, Ken

 

not trying to flame anyone, but that is not correct. the manual does a good job of explaining this.

 

I think you are talking about the michelin pilot sport a/s? I would love to ride on those tires, but it's going to cost almost 1k... I am actually eyeing the ADVAN S4, I just wish they were cheaper!!!!

 

First, do you really mean 8-12"?

Eight inches of snow is not "mild." Add 45mph to the mix and that's a blizzard (or close to it). And you're absolutely crazy doing what you did--if you had to stop for any reason: game over. That's a whole lot of snow to be driving in, and on the OEM Advans to boot.

You definitely need to be on a decently winter-rated A/S tire whenever there's a chance you'll encounter "winter" driving conditions. The right tire will make it safer for you (and other motorists), and let you romp around in the snow .

And sorry in advance for preaching.