Summer vs. Winter Tires in Mild Winter Area (Wash.,DC)
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Summer vs. Winter Tires in Mild Winter Area (Wash.,DC)
I am in the process of purchasing tires for my S4. I live in the Washington DC area which receives a small amount of snow/ice each year. I had decided on the Dunlop 5000 All-Seasons, but after discussions with some local Audi enthusiasts, I was instructed that summer tires could be used year round w/ the benefits of Quattro.
My question is - are summer tires such as the S-03's or Pilots capable of providing `slight' traction in winter conditions? Can I get by w/ Quattro + summer tires in minimal snow.....i.e. 3" or less. I would much prefer to stick with the summer tires, but want to make sure they provide `some' traction in winter conditions.
Also I realize "winter tires" are the ideal solution, but would 'economically' prefer not to purchase a second set of rims.
Thanks in advance for helping the new guy w/ his tire decision.
My question is - are summer tires such as the S-03's or Pilots capable of providing `slight' traction in winter conditions? Can I get by w/ Quattro + summer tires in minimal snow.....i.e. 3" or less. I would much prefer to stick with the summer tires, but want to make sure they provide `some' traction in winter conditions.
Also I realize "winter tires" are the ideal solution, but would 'economically' prefer not to purchase a second set of rims.
Thanks in advance for helping the new guy w/ his tire decision.
AudiWorld Senior Member
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not familiar with DC winters but
but a summer performance tire such as the S-02 is dangerous in snow/ice conditions. Yes, it will provide enough traction with Quattro to get you going. BUT the problem is stopping or turning, usually when you need it most. Speaking from personal experience.
There are "cheap" alloy rims like the 16" AT Italia S5 or the 17" Mille Miglia A1. Alternatively, you could install winter tires on your stock rims for the season.
I run open spoke SSR Comps with summer tires and winter tires on the stock rims.
There are "cheap" alloy rims like the 16" AT Italia S5 or the 17" Mille Miglia A1. Alternatively, you could install winter tires on your stock rims for the season.
I run open spoke SSR Comps with summer tires and winter tires on the stock rims.
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You don't need to purchase a second set of rims...
If you go to a reputable wheel place (don't know the DC area) there are newer mounting machines that don't even touch the wheel or the bead of the tire. Therefore, there's no downside to mounting and remounting tires other than the cost ($30 per set per season). Also, in terms of investing in winter rubber, the S-03s and Pilots are around $175 to $225 per tire, whereas winter rubber is like $150-$175. Therefore, if you purchase winter rubber now, granted it's an additional expense now, but since you'll have it on the car 4-5 months a year, you're summer tires will last twice as long, saving you in the long run (provided you drive enough to wear through a set of tires during the period you own the car).
Just some thoughts. I have actually purchased a nice set of rims that I put summer rubber on, and am putting the winter tires on my Factory Avus wheels, but having said that, I'm not doing that with my wife's car as she likes the way her factory rims look (and there's no way I'm springing for a second set of heavy overpriced wheels). So for her car, I'm going to remount twice per year.
Just some thoughts. I have actually purchased a nice set of rims that I put summer rubber on, and am putting the winter tires on my Factory Avus wheels, but having said that, I'm not doing that with my wife's car as she likes the way her factory rims look (and there's no way I'm springing for a second set of heavy overpriced wheels). So for her car, I'm going to remount twice per year.
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i agree, living around the area is unpredictable...
when it does snow, it is very minimal. ~3 inches or less. BUT when it does snow, it's chaotic b/c we do not have sufficient snow plowing machines to clear the snow, thus the following morning everything turns to ice.
lastwinter, i attempted to stick with my OEM potenzas-bad idea. i was heading 10mph and the car would NOT stop- even in unpacked snow. switched to p7000 supersports midwinter (my only choice b/c all the snows were out of stock) and also found that they are uneffective.
my advice would be to stay in when it snows if you chose to stick with summer tires. besides, the entire city comes to a halt when the white stuff starts falling.
lastwinter, i attempted to stick with my OEM potenzas-bad idea. i was heading 10mph and the car would NOT stop- even in unpacked snow. switched to p7000 supersports midwinter (my only choice b/c all the snows were out of stock) and also found that they are uneffective.
my advice would be to stay in when it snows if you chose to stick with summer tires. besides, the entire city comes to a halt when the white stuff starts falling.
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Also in DC and had the same thought...
...but as a fellow S'er explained, look at what you're driving, how much you love it, and the ultimate hassle and expense of repair work should summer tires not provide enough traction even just once. Weigh that against the relative cost (spread over several years) of having a winter set of wheels+tires or just tires.
At least for me it became more of a no-brainer.
At least for me it became more of a no-brainer.
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AudiWorld Senior Member
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I faced the same problem when living in Richmond VA, namely
how to cope with occasional snow/ice. I tried Michelin high-performance
all-seasons: they were good in dry & wet, but were poor in snow. I had some
Blizzaks, and they were fantastic in snow and/or ice, acceptable in the wet,
but bordered on dangerous in the dry, which accounts for a significant
proportion of my winter driving. The best solution I've come up with so far
is to use winter tires (as opposed to snow tires), which have a harder
rubber compound than snows but more aggressive tread design than
all-seasons. I'm currently using Michelin Pilot Alpins, and they're pretty
good. Incidently, I'm in Boston now, but I still prefer winter tires to
snows.
Rory
all-seasons: they were good in dry & wet, but were poor in snow. I had some
Blizzaks, and they were fantastic in snow and/or ice, acceptable in the wet,
but bordered on dangerous in the dry, which accounts for a significant
proportion of my winter driving. The best solution I've come up with so far
is to use winter tires (as opposed to snow tires), which have a harder
rubber compound than snows but more aggressive tread design than
all-seasons. I'm currently using Michelin Pilot Alpins, and they're pretty
good. Incidently, I'm in Boston now, but I still prefer winter tires to
snows.
Rory
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AudiWorld Senior Member
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Actually, you're much better off getting a new set of rims, even though
it costs more. This way, you're completely free to change over to your
winter wheels whenever you wish. If snow/ice comes early, you change early,
if it comes late, you can continue with your performance tires that much
longer.
Rory
winter wheels whenever you wish. If snow/ice comes early, you change early,
if it comes late, you can continue with your performance tires that much
longer.
Rory