Bollinger

Not because I wanted to, but because I need my all-seasons during the winter (going to Tahoe next week).

So now its back to the all-season 16" Contis.

I rechecked my observations about the tire differences.

The 17" exaggerate small cracks in the pavement, especially at highway speeds, I confirmed this.
The 17" tires (P Zero Rossos) love to follow rain grooves on concrete. I chalk this up to the stiff center rib which makes steering response quicker.
The 17" tires definitely generated better cornering force. Of course, they are top-of-the-line max performance tires and my Contis are mediocre all-seasons.

I'm not so sure I was correct about the increased tire noise on the P Zeros. Either they aren't louder or they got quieter as they broke in.

Steering is slightly lighter with the Contis. I hadn't noticed before, even though I expected this. The difference is unnoticable except when turning while stopped (dry scrub).

I'll post another day about the setup I use to change my tires. I have this down to a science. I spent more time washing my wheels than swapping them.

I miss my P Zeros and my cool looking 17" Ronal RTs already, and it's only been 42 miles.

audiconvert

As a comparison I'm curious about the mileage you'll get going up. I got 22.4 roundtrip - San Jose to South Shore via 50 and back.

Sand, gravel, and dirt love to find their way into the upper and lower side moldings on the doors. Give the gap line along those moldings a good blast of water from the hose before you get the soapy sponge out to wash the car.

Look out for Mustang headlights in the rear view that also have the shotgun muzzle pointing up - a dead giveaway for the HWP.

Bring extra wiper washer fluid to satisfy the beeping "volcano" symbol on the dash. You go thru it quick.

Have fun. The snow's excellent.

Bollinger

I got 21 round trip last time. That's up 50, down to kirkwood and out 88. Same route I'll take this time.

I've never seen a Mustang that far up the hills. Placer County uses Crown Vics, Alpine uses SUVs.

allroad'Ed now

every year, to ski Lake Tahoe, I have to fly to Reno and rent an inferior vehicle (as compared to my A6Q). Expense of plane tickets and rental for 3 or 4 days. But can't beat the choice of ski areas and fantastic lodging at the Hyatt in Incline Village. Miss my college days in New Hampshire and many subsequent years living in CT and upstate NY for skiing. Chicago just doesn't cut it for easily accessible skiing without jumping on a plane.

btme

I got 26.8 from Truckee to toll booths at Golden Gate Bridge (80 to 37 to 101), average speed was 74 mph--about 175 miles. It was early in the morning so there was zero traffic through the mountains. I was pleasantly shocked by the mileage, which has improved by 4-5 mpg since I passed about 2,500 miles on the odometer. I have a 2001 2.7T

Bollinger

Both the snow was awful. It's better now. I haven't actually skiied Heavenly in years, I always go to Kirkwood or Sierra when I am in South shore. I'm changing that this year, it's been too long without going to Heavenly.

Bollinger

Don't expect that on flatland.

btme

Well, actually the first 25 or so are up over the Donner Summit, the next 35 or so down to Auburn, and the remaining 110 miles or so are across the Sacramento Valley (flat) and the low rolling hills into the Bay Area. I would guess that the mileage for the climb out of the Tahoe Basin offsets the mileage for the descent into the Sacramento Valley. I should note that I use the cruise control as much as possible, and even when I have to go into the right lane to pass some bonehead in his SUV camped in the fast lane, I do not over accelerate--even though hitting the turbos hard can be quite fun. When you stay out of the turbos the motor is just a 2.7 liter V6 strapped to very aerodynamic vehicle, so good mileage numbers are at least a possibility.

Bollinger

Much as you have to climb (aggregate) 5800ft top get to Donner from the sea, you gain 5800 free ft of potential energy when going back down.

So, climbing 1000ft to get out of Tahoe doesn't offset the 6000ft drop.