[bcourson]

I have the 05' Luxury Sport CTS with the 17" RSA's. I have a hill (15 to 20ft) that gave me trouble the other day when it was covered in ice. I couldn't get the car up until I had melted away some of the ice. The car was fine the past couple of weeks with only a couple inches of snow. I was wondering what would be the best option for tires/wheels.

I've done my own searching on this forum and seem to see the following as good options:

Blizzaks WS-50's
Dunlop Winter Sport M3

My main concern is getting up the driveway and other hills I might encounter while driving. The car has handled alright with moderate snow so far. However, acceleration was a problem during a bad winter storm the other night (I live in MI).

I have read that the RSA's are terrible and am going to be getting some tires on this week. Specifically for the trouble with ice which tire would you recommend? Should I go with 16" or stay with the 17"?

Thanks

 

[haute_heir]

17's are fine for the winter. I mounted 4 17" Michelin Pilot Alpines on my Mercedes, and though almost every member here seems to dispise the Alpines, I can honestly say that the Benz was better than my 4WD Infiniti QX4 last winter... I never got stuck, never span out and had excellent stopping abilities.

 

[bcourson]

Thanks for the post. I also wanted to state that, for comparison purposes, my prior car was a FWD '00 Pontiac Sunfire w/ stock tires. Made it up the hill w/ no problem the majority of the time. Only got stuck 2 or 3 times in the 4 years I had it. Every time the Sunfire was stuck there was 6+ inches of snow. I wasn't surprised that the CTS got stuck but am looking for tire recommendations so as to have the best chance of getting up the majority of the time.

If I can't, I might have to get a beater for the winter as MI winters can be bad at times. Luckily I was able to negotiate (I think) a very good lease rate so I have money to spare just in case.

Thanks a lot.

 

[TorontoWorker]

It's not so much the tire size in dia. you have to worry about, (16" vrs 17") but how *narrow* the tread footprint you are sellecting. The problem with the wider tires put on *modern* caddies today is that there are less pounds per sq inch hitting the ground as the tire contact patch is wider then it has ever been before.

Getting up the hill in your sunfire was no problem because you had the weight of the engine over your two front tires and the contact patch was not as big as your CTS. As well: front wheel drive will always pull you up a hill better then a rear drive can push. (under slippery conditions)

Narrow tires all ALWAYS better in snow then wide tires and narrow tires that are designed with snow and ice are best yet. Most of the hybrd tires with dual compounds are fine for at least one season (of daily driving) until the tread depth is worn down to the second longer lasting, but less grippy compound. You may get two seasons out of the *ice* compound if you don't drive too often or if your always in snow instead of 1/2 snow conditions and 1/2 bare pavement.

I would go for a higher profile - narrower tire that is listed as a *winter* tire and not listed as an *ice* tire. Unless you are going ice racing, the avg snow/winter tire will be more consistant in handling and wear. I find a higher profile (more ground to edge of rim distance) is best in wet and snow/ice conditions. You'll find you will get more warning of the rear end breaking away before the low profile setups that I see people trying to use. Whatever you do - just don't get two tires - go with four.

Always drive with a full tank by the way.

 

[haute_heir]

It's not so much the tire size in dia. you have to worry about, (16" vrs 17") but how *narrow* the tread footprint you are sellecting. The problem with the wider tires put on *modern* caddies today is that there are less pounds per sq inch hitting the ground as the tire contact patch is wider then it has ever been before.

Getting up the hill in your sunfire was no problem because you had the weight of the engine over your two front tires and the contact patch was not as big as your CTS. As well: front wheel drive will always pull you up a hill better then a rear drive can push. (under slippery conditions)

Narrow tires all ALWAYS better in snow then wide tires and narrow tires that are designed with snow and ice are best yet. Most of the hybrd tires with dual compounds are fine for at least one season (of daily driving) until the tread depth is worn down to the second longer lasting, but less grippy compound. You may get two seasons out of the *ice* compound if you don't drive too often or if your always in snow instead of 1/2 snow conditions and 1/2 bare pavement.

I would go for a higher profile - narrower tire that is listed as a *winter* tire and not listed as an *ice* tire. Unless you are going ice racing, the avg snow/winter tire will be more consistant in handling and wear. I find a higher profile (more ground to edge of rim distance) is best in wet and snow/ice conditions. You'll find you will get more warning of the rear end breaking away before the low profile setups that I see people trying to use. Whatever you do - just don't get two tires - go with four.

Always drive with a full tank by the way.

Narrow tires with a high profile are also VERY unattractive. Not to mention the major difference in handeling of your car alltogether. I had to put 17's on my Mercedes since the Sport Package brakes won't house 16" rims. I probably would have put 17's on it regardless. I'm not sure where you live but in Calgary we see quite a bit of snow and ice, but we also have snow plows whick keep the roads clear for the most part. The only time I really feel I need the winter tires are after a heavy snow fall before the roads are cleared and salted/sanded. I'm driving my CTS with the factory RSA this winter, the Mercedes came with ZR summer, so I had no choice but to change them... All was fine last winter in the RWD Mercedes (245/40/17) so I'd imagine you'd also be fine with 17's.

 

[TorontoWorker]

Narrow tires with a high profile are also VERY unattractive. Not to mention the major difference in handeling of your car alltogether.

Well you have to select the sizes wisely of course. I'm not talking too high a profile, but not a 2" tall profile either! You also have to take into account that the overall height of the tire has to be the same or close for the speedo to show proper speeds and or you end up with a difference in final drive ratios if you really blow the tire buy!

I'm not sure where you live but in Calgary we see quite a bit of snow and ice, but we also have snow plows whick keep the roads clear for the most part.

I live just oustside the Toronto GTA but drive to Hamilton daily.

The only time I really feel I need the winter tires are after a heavy snow fall before the roads are cleared and salted/sanded. I'm driving my CTS with the factory RSA this winter, the Mercedes came with ZR summer, so I had no choice but to change them... All was fine last winter in the RWD Mercedes (245/40/17) so I'd imagine you'd also be fine with 17's.

I don't plan on driving my CTS too often in the winter as I have 3.5 other cars (the .05 car is my ice racer for CASC races in Minden) but I had it out in the snow last week and it wasn't as bad on the RS-A's as many here have said. I've always said that the best traction control is your brain/right foot combo anyway! I *really* wanted the 6 speed gearbox but the wife and daughter said...no. (Next time I get a V and to hell with family harmony!!)

 

[DDS rollin a CTS]

I don't plan on driving my CTS too often in the winter as I have 3.5 other cars (the .05 car is my ice racer for CASC races in Minden) but I had it out in the snow last week and it wasn't as bad on the RS-A's as many here have said. I've always said that the best traction control is your brain/right foot combo anyway! I *really* wanted the 6 speed gearbox but the wife and daughter said...no. (Next time I get a V and to hell with family harmony!!)

:thumbsup: Right on!!!

And in exchange for a ride in the V, I'll buy you a couple of drinks after your wife and daughter throw you out of the house. :cheers:

 

[bcourson]

Nokian Tyres Recommended over Blizzaks for Winter

<message moved>