We get a goodly amount of snow, here in Canada. Running summer tires on the snow
is bordering on stupidity. Don't do it. Having that traction on those rare
occasion when you need it is more important.

That being said, I have been caught in some early snow storms with my summer
tires (the winter's are Nokia Haka 1). My Toyo Proxes FZ4 (which are for the
summer and rated all season) have managed to get me around quite well. However,
I'm one of those individuals who love sliding around in the snow. Normally, in
the snow, I would be blowing by everyone else as if their standing still, but
when caught off-guard (with my summer Proxes), I was lucky to get up a steep
hills without sliding sideways. Even so, It did not stop me from having an
entertaining evening out in town.

Pars
98 Hatch

Gordon McGrew wrote:

> On Sat, 13 Sep 2003 08:28:01 +0200, "Pete" <escape2music@hotmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> >"Rock Kent" <rockkent@cascadeaccess.com> wrote in message
> >news:bju2jl$qqg$1@quark.scn.rain.com...
> >> Hi All,
> >> I'd like something with great rain performance, good dry performance, yet
> >> won't leave me stranded on the few days I have to navigate a little snow
> >or
> >> ice working my way down to Portland from the 1200 foot level out here in
> >the
> >> boonies.
> >
> >Do you run the stock tire size (195/60/14) ? If so, the only thing that I'd
> >recommend from the list of available all-season tires at TireRack is
> >Bridgestone RE950. However, keep in mind that high performance usually also
> >means stiffer rubber (less comfort) and possibly shorter treadlife.
>
> I would try to get by without all-season tires if I expected only a
> small amount of snow. Good summer tires are probably as good or
> better on ice compared to the average all season tire. If the snow is
> light and/or the roads well cleared and you are careful and the summer
> tires have at least half their tread you should be OK.
>
> I can recommend the Kumho Ecsta Supra 712 for excellent wet traction.
> It is pretty good on dry, but not up to the level of Yokohama AVS
> which Yoko stopped making in the GS-R stock size :[ The Kumhos are
> bargain priced though. Never drove them on snow.