Poor Traction in Snow!?

2131 Views 15 Replies 9 Participants Last post by GarryW, Apr 14, 2009

mikemillion2000

Discussion Starter · Apr 11, 2009

I wanted to get some ideas on better performance in the snow. With the standard tires that came on it (I believe the car is RWD), I had a time this past winter in Ohio on the highway, almost had a accident twice as the car skiddedfrom the back twice without notice. I handled the skids well and avoided any accidents, so I am blessed.

I replaced the tires, but am still nervous about driving it in the snow.. anyone else run into this one?

But before I give up on my STS, I love it!!!, as it's a V8 model and just has great acceleration.. (sorry, don't mean to sound like I ignore speed limit signs), so I'm looking to see what I need to do (well, if I can do anything about it).

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mike sts

· #2 · Apr 12, 2009

if you have rear wheel drive you will have the put snow tires on in the winter and switch back to all season after snow season. You could by 17 inch rims with snow tires then just change the wheels each season

amgqmp1

· #3 · Apr 12, 2009

mike sts said:
if you have rear wheel drive you will have the put snow tires on in the winter and switch back to all season after snow season. You could by 17 inch rims with snow tires then just change the wheels each season

The STS4 (all-wheel drive) is the preferred model for driving in the snow. That being said, I'm in a similar climate here in Iowa, and also have an STS V8 RWD (rear-wheel drive). I was all over the place this past winter (stock tires with 14-15K miles).

I second what mike sts said...get yourself a set of snow tires/wheels. There are many options...I've always been preferential to Blizzaks. You can go to a site like tirerack.com at anytime to get some ideas.

That being said...I ended up getting a Jeep Wrangler instead of snow tires. I think snow tires would have been cheaper, but, I'm weird like that. :bonkers:

ECha3

· #4 · Apr 12, 2009

There are many posts on this topic. There are better all season tires than the Originals but concensus is get AWD for climates with snow or plan on a semi-annual swap of snow tires.

mikemillion2000

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 12, 2009

Thanx for the replies, I really appreciate it. So, I'm hearing that I need to buy a set of snow tires before the next winter to be ready, that is if I don't want to give up my STS (which I really don't).. But, I'm thinking I've already got 17" rims because I have 17" tires on them?

Thanx.

amgqmp1

· #6 · Apr 12, 2009

You do have 17" rims, however, I wouldn't recommend running snow tires all year. Further, probably don't want to be remounting & balancing two sets of tires on the same rims each year. It's more expensive upfront to buy a second set of rims & snow tires, but, it's just part of doing it the right way.

For reference, the tirerack.com "preferred package" of 17" wheels & snow tires (they happen to be Blizzaks) is $1275 with shipping to IA. I would probably check locally (esp. now that it's spring) for comparison though. That being said, that seems to be fair for having getting a complete "ready to roll" set delivered to the door.

ECha3

· #7 · Apr 12, 2009

While we considered a separate set of rims for the wife's 2007, the dealer is only charging $75 per swap including road-force balancing and TPMS-sync. They even checked the allignment for free with the tire purchase! Blizzaks would have been a bit cheaper from Tire-rack but there is some work involved, too. Other local shops were higher!

There is some value in balancing tires frequently (even if semi-annually is overkill). Our dealer's service department wants our business, gets us in the next day but provides Pontiac loaners.

mike sts

· #8 · Apr 12, 2009

Has anyone tired putting 16 inch rims with snow tires on this car, 16's rims and tires would be cheeper and give better snow traction, not sure how they would look or fit.

Caroutisine

· #9 · Apr 12, 2009

Yes, snow tires are a must. Removing and restalling tires on the same rims is a pain. I have a set of Michelin Alpine snows on OEM 17" rims with TPMS I used 2 seasons in Minnesota. They have about 6K on them in excellent condition. PM me if interested.

mikemillion2000

Discussion Starter · #10 · Apr 12, 2009

This is all great info. Thanx again... BTW, another reason to keep my STS.. I blew away a Mercedes E550 on the highway to the Auto Detailing shop... He deserved to be treated real special for his win today!! LOLOL.....

Caroutisine, will be in touch...

Many thanx.

mbnv992

· #11 · Apr 13, 2009

mikemillion2000 said:
This is all great info. Thanx again... BTW, another reason to keep my STS.. I blew away a Mercedes E550 on the highway to the Auto Detailing shop... He deserved to be treated real special for his win today!! LOLOL.....

Caroutisine, will be in touch...

Many thanx.

Not to rain on your parade, but while these cars ARE fast, they will NOT beat a Mercedes E550. I've test driven a few E550's (a 2007, and a 2008). The E550 has 382HP, and is one FAST car. The driver either did not know how to drive, or was just not trying to race. Still, our V8 STS Northstar with the 320HP engine will out-run a LOT of cars.

mikemillion2000

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 13, 2009

While I'd like to think that my STS could outrun any car, trust me, I am not deluded... It's more than just the car, the driver skills are definitely a part of the equation.. then there comes the intelligence with negotiating with the other traffic on the road, and I could go on... He came up along side and paced with me for about a 1/2 mile, which I took as an invitation... so he had to get dealt with...! lol.... shucks, you could have put me in a Lexus GS, which confidentially, I traded in to get my Escalade, and he would have lost... lolol....

Just having some fun... that's all...

rbo

· #13 · Apr 13, 2009 (Edited)

I bought a set of wheels and tires from tirerack.com before the first Nebraska snow this season. Blizzaks. Rims makes it easy for me to put on and off at start of each season. Also saved $200.00 from Sears quote even with shipping. Car drove as good as any front wheel car I've had. Friend bought an STS also and he had to park it and drive his wifes front wheel drive car during some of the snow days. He'll probably be buying snow tires in the fall.

Regulator

· #14 · Apr 13, 2009

Snow tires make the RWD version tolerable to drive in snow. Trying to drive it in the winter with all-seasons is impractical. (unless you are a professional drifter)

mikemillion2000

Discussion Starter · #15 · Apr 13, 2009

So, was that what I was doing..? Just call me DK (drift king)... lololol....

GarryW

· #16 · Apr 14, 2009

My 2005 STS RWD was the worst car ever in the snow and the dealer knew it too! After I traded it in on my 2008 STS AWD, I found out they had hundreds of complaints on RWD models so you're not alone. That car should not have been sold in northern climates.

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