Improving traction in wintery conditions
 

What snow tires do you people recommend and other ways to improve traction in the snow. The car is a 1990 19OE 2.6

There's no substitute for good quality snow tires on all four wheels. I can't speak to other Benz models, but when the 190 is equipped with 4 snows, it is a fantastic winter car.

I've had Dunlop Graspic studless snows on all 4 corners on my 201 for years. They are what was on it when I bought it. I've had to replace single tires because of sidewall punctures and wear... but I've never needed to replace all 4, so I've stuck with them so I have a matched set (all 4). They perform admirably.

On my Volvo 940 Turbo, I've run Hankook Zovac studded snows (also all 4 wheels). The Hankook tires are far superior in traction on both ice and snow to the Dunlops.

After this year, I'll need to replace the entire set on the Benz. When I do, I'll be replacing them with Hankook. They are the best winter tire value I've found anywhere.

Hankook is a Korean company, and are not very well known in the US. But they are quite popular in Europe. If you watch European motorsports -- like Moto GP Motorcycle, or Formula 1 -- you'll see Hankook banners everywhere. They're a huge sponsor.

I had great success with Dunlop Graspics on my 560 SEL (the A-2's if i recall correctly). Currently running Dunlop Wintersports on the C230--has been very good through the 75" of snow so far this season, plus a few freezing rains. I don't think i'd see 30% to 40% improvement for 30% to 40% more money.

See if you can find Nokian Hakkapellitta snow tires for your car. Made in Finland. The best.

+1 for Hakkapeliittas, although I noticed that a set I bought a few years ago are "designed in Finland" but manufactured in China. <sigh>

They're still phenomenal snow tires -- pricey, but worth it.

If I were looking for bang for the buck, I'd price a set of Firestone Winterforce tires, or General Altimax Arctic. Both can be studded, if you live in a state that permits that.

I will ++ the Winterforce ones. I have them on my Charger, and I've passed quite a few SUV stuck in the snow with my heavy, high-output, RWD. Driving a RWD on snow sometimes requires a very light and steady foot, and you can never panic and pull off the gas 100% or slam on the breaks. But I swear by the Winterforce tires on my Charger and for $88 a piece on TireRack I paid, they are really a great price!

http://www.peachparts.com/tirerack.html

I've got Firestone Winterforce on my Peugeot 505 and they're great! From Sears, great value for money.

X 3 winterforce on both Benz of mine.I can crawl up a A Frame.

To muddy the waters I have Michelin XIce tires on my Audi and Dunlop WinterSport M3 tires on my Jetta... both are excellent. The Michelins are a bit noisy on dry roads, but it's not bad and they are still nice and round after many miles. The Dunlops are excellent in all conditions, perfectly quiet, and have tons of grip even in the dry.

-Jason

I have tried most of the popular snow tires out there, here's my 2cents Nokian and Gislavad are the best I have a set of Gislavad studded snows on my 400E now and with all the snow we are getting here in Boston I can says they will drive threw anything!!! The Blizzak and IceX are very very good snows as well, and the Dunlaps are also good. The great thing about the Nok's and Gis are there tread life is longer than the Bliz and IceX but they are more $$$ It also has alot to do with your buget. I scored my Gislavads on craigslist for cheep and they were like brand new.

When I was growing up people used snow chains on their tires. Are they no longer made?

u can also save money by adding such thing call weight, most RWD are tail light.
If u have not enuf wt. only God can help u.

Snow chains aren't good for high speeds, and will tear up the roads when they are dry.

-J

True, weight is good but it would be even better if we had a limited slip diff instead of one (snowtire) wheel drive.