Horrible winter tires... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MercFan · #1 12-31-2010, 12:12 AM

My mom's Toyota Camry has fairly new set of Michelin HydroEdge tires - they are pretty awsome in the non-winter months but when I drove the car today during a good size snow storm the car felt like a toboggan - I mean, we were all over the road... these things are slicker than snot in snow... In fact after parking the car in her driveway with a slight incline the car slid back good 10=15 ft before stopping...

Was thinking that I need to get her a set of Bridgestone Blizzaks
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Blizzak+WS70&partnum=065TR5WS70&wTire=3&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2000&autoModel=Camry+LE&autoModClar=&snowSortCode=12410&sortSize=15

Or the Continental XtremeWinterContact:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Continental&tireModel=ExtremeWinterContact&partnum=065TR5EWC&wTire=4&autoMake=Toyota&autoYear=2000&autoModel=Camry+LE&autoModClar=&snowSortCode=12410&sortSize=15

She just needs two for the front (FWD)... any other good picks out there?

#2 12-31-2010, 12:21 AM

Blizzaks work very well in the snow, but they are real winter tires; they wear quickly and are noisy on dry roads.

Nate · #3 12-31-2010, 12:50 AM

If they're truly that horrible in the cold/snow, GET 4!

You wouldnt want to induce over steering tenancy because only a pair of them on the car. I have ran new all seasons and new snow tires (firestone winterforce, paid $35 each off tire rack), on a fwd car, and it over steered during cornering if not prepared for it.

It's a Camry, they should do decent in the snow (unless it's the new slightly overpowered one) If you incist on snow tires, because the hydroedge tires are rated for 90k ish miles?, even cheap ones would do great.

I think it's overkill, because with decent all seasons it should do well, but a dedicated set of winter tires/rims is cheap compared to an insurance deductible, or a hospital stay (or worse)

If you get the tires on other rims, consider taking it to the place who sold you the hydro-edge tires to have swapped. This "should" keep the miles on the hydro edge tires documented properly for warranty reasons.

~Nate

4x4_Welder · #4 12-31-2010, 12:51 AM

Hakkapeliitta directionals are the best IMO. I have a set on my Subaru, and it was just wild in the snow.

aklim · #5 12-31-2010, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercFan

She just needs two for the front (FWD)... any other good picks out there?

I wouldn't. Either get 4 or none. Yes I realize FWD means that drive and steering are on the front but traction is still essential for the rears. You get a set of super traction fronts and the rears can still slide around. BAD idea.

aklim · #6 12-31-2010, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Blizzaks work very well in the snow, but they are real winter tires; they wear quickly and are noisy on dry roads.

I would agree with that. I would however get a SET of wheels and cheap rims. Switch over when you need to and keep them when you don't.

#7 12-31-2010, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I would agree with that. I would however get a SET of wheels and cheap rims. Switch over when you need to and keep them when you don't.

I agree; if you need real winter tires, buy four and only use them in the winter. Don't put front snows only on a FWD car unless you like stopping facing the wrong direction. The alternative is to find good all-season tires and use them all year. It depends what you need.

mpolli · #8 12-31-2010, 03:00 AM

Primacy MXV4 are pretty good. I do have traction control but only the 2 rear wheels pushing...

t walgamuth · #9 12-31-2010, 07:55 AM

My hydro edges seem fine in the snow.

pawoSD · #10 12-31-2010, 08:28 AM

I have 4 IceGuard Yokohama's on my SD, its actually quite difficult to get them to break loose....they grip that well in the snow. I can fly past suv's no problem.

Wodnek · #11 12-31-2010, 08:35 AM

I have Hydroedge tires on my 87 300D and 87 30TD. I have found them to be ok on both. Maybe because of the closer to 50% weight distribution that the 124 has?

Brian Carlton · #12 12-31-2010, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercFan

My mom's Toyota Camry has fairly new set of Michelin HydroEdge tires - they are pretty awsome in the non-winter months but when I drove the car today during a good size snow storm the car felt like a toboggan - I mean, we were all over the road... these things are slicker than snot in snow... In fact after parking the car in her driveway with a slight incline the car slid back good 10=15 ft before stopping...

I got to tell you a story that I'm sure you'll appreciate.

The '86 SDL has the Hydroedge as well. About 20K on the tires.........excellent in dry and just as good in rain. I normally drive the SD in the winter, but due to ongoing reasons, it remains a garage queen, much to my general chagrin.

Anyway, the storm arrives on Sunday and I take the SDL home through the snowstorm and arrive home with it about 6:30 p.m. It did the usual slip and slide through reasonable snow, but nothing that worried me about it.

Parked it and waited out the blizzard.

On Tuesday, I cleared the driveway with the snowblower and the wind was generally kind to the SDL, no snow around the tires whatsoever. Looks like a clean shot next day for my trip to CT.

Come out Wednesday morning and start it up. Ready to go. Put it in reverse...........nothing. Car doesn't move 1". WTF. Put it in forward. It moves forward about 1/2". Add rpm's and it sounds like it's in neutral. WTF is going on here. Rev it higher and listen for wheelspin...........no sound.

Could this thing have lost the trans overnight? I'm doubtful but it's not making any effort to move.

I look out the driver's door and observe the LR tire..........no movement when revved in gear. Damn.

I go out and check the RR tire for the position of the weight, return to the driver's seat, rev it in gear, and recheck the weight. The weight moved.

I'll be damned..........these tires are so hard that they polished a round circle in the think coating of snow/ice.

I was by myself, so I didn't want to risk pushing it while in gear. Had to resort to some plywood jammed under the RR tire to finally get it out. Took 30 minutes total and I easily missed the 7:30 ferry.

I'm dead serious when I tell you that these tires couldn't extricate the vehicle from a perfectly clear driveway with 1" of snow/ice under the tires.

So, I definitely agree that the Hydroedge is positively dangerous with regard to traction in snow/ice.

I have to take it to NYC today..........and I'm dreading it...........because my back is out and I cannot shovel if it gets stuck. Might have to put it in the garage and just pay.

The Swede · #13 12-31-2010, 10:08 AM

I had Dunlop M3 winter tires on my S600. It was nearly impossible to get that barge stuck. A pricey tire however.

I've ran Hakkapeliitta's on my 740i and my brother has them on his Audi S6 Avant. He loves them, as did I.

Now I run Michelin whatever's on my w123 wagon, not the greatest but I've managed to commute home in 2 nasty snowstorms with no problem. I just have to be a smarter driver, no funny stuff.

aklim · #14 12-31-2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Swede

I had Dunlop M3 winter tires on my S600. It was nearly impossible to get that barge stuck. A pricey tire however.

I've ran Hakkapeliitta's on my 740i and my brother has them on his Audi S6 Avant. He loves them, as did I.

I just have to be a smarter driver, no funny stuff.

IMO, you cannot control a lot of things but equipment is one of the things that are quite in your control for the most part. Sure, it might be pricey but what is your body worth to you? If you only drive the car for groceries, sure but if you get stuck somewhere in the middle of BFE, well..... Saw a scantily clad girl who got stuck and lent her my phone to call for help. NO LESS THAN 2 HOURS wait for a tow truck and I'll bet a whole lot longer than that. Gave her a ride to the strip club which was where she was going and got a few free lap dances from her.

Ran those too but it didn't work as well as the Blizzaks for the 201. I could go up a slight hill and accelerate when there was a few inches on the ground.

I rather stay off the road if I can. No matter how smart you drive, there is always a moron there

okyoureabeast · #15 12-31-2010, 12:00 PM

I have hydroedge for the summer and for the winter I have a pair of Blizzaks.

This is the second season with the Blizzaks.

I do NOT recommend the Michelin HydroEdges for snow. In fact if you drive in snow with them you're putting yourself in danger.

I almost decided to leave the Hydroedges on and we had a freak snow storm over thanksgiving. I was all over the place and had absolutely no traction. I had to take the back roads home because going 20 mph or more would cause me to fish tail.

Luckily I had some time to install the Blizzaks before I went back to school.

I owe all of my winter driving to Blizzaks. I live in places where we see a lot of snow on a weekly basis. Image the New York City blizzard on a continuous basis from November to March. To make matters worse, Erie PA and Ithaca NY have terrible track records for snow removal. Hence the necessity for snow tires.

Brakes and tires are two things you should not skimp on. If you see snow like we see in the great lakes then consider dedicated snow tires.