The "Sonic in the snow" MASTER thread
- Thread starter dick
- Start date
I drove my Sonic in the snow today to work and back home. It handled it very well and only had a few issues where the traction control kicked in. We normally do not get this much snow and we had freezing rain also. The trip was about 125 miles total, I passed a few other cars and trucks some of them 4x4s. It was easy to spot the rwd vehicles and the drivers that should have stayed home. My tires performed better than I expected which was good.
carsNskis
New member
So much awesome! 2 questions:Does this count as driving in the snow?
1) what is the interface you use for data and video, that's a great tool.
2) at about 3 secs into lap 2 the Scirocco passes. Looks like e-brake turn with massive counter steer. I've used this in dirt driving to keep up speed through the corner and increase exit speed. Same benefit for ice driving?
This data system is Race Keeper. It's kinda new to me, but it looks like it has good potential. It has an OBD2 interface for the gauges (although the scaling for throttle position is off....)
Yes, lots of people we driving with the e-brake... But I can tell you I was faster without using it - but this was also my first time I've racing (first time driving a Sonic, too)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yes, lots of people we driving with the e-brake... But I can tell you I was faster without using it - but this was also my first time I've racing (first time driving a Sonic, too)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
carsNskis
New member
Winter is real in Colorado this year and driving home from the airport last night with 2" of snow and stock Hankooks was a "puckering" experience.... the front end would track and float like crazy with no secure feeling and the tail kept trying to rotate around with the ASR constantly creating a sideways tracking angle.
Pulled into the service bay at work this morning to fix the issue. I agreed to swap to General Arctimax as I've read good reviews and they were cost effective. My ASM tells me later in the afternoon that he ordered a different set, no change in price.... I was PISSED. Until I did my due diligence and researched the tires he chose (and rallied the heck out of them with the TCS disengaged)
They installed Hercules R-g2 tires..... after further research they are a knock off of the Nokian Haaaaaaakepellita! I mean almost exact replica. I was a little worried as I've never heard of them but two launches from a standstill and several 45mph e-brake slides later I couldn't be happier.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING grip at take off, braking is ridiculous, lane crossing at highway speeds is straight and true, snow drifts are no problem. I drove home (over 40 miles of packed snow roads) at 55mph on the highway while SUVs were creeping at 40 (and i never felt out of control or unsafe)
Here's a link to their site for info http://www.herculestire.com/tire-gallery/passenger-and-light-truck/winter/r-g2/
Directional tread pattern + crazy siping:
Compare to stock nonsense:
Compare to Haaks:
at half the cost I'm completely sold....
Message to Ma Nature: bring it
Pulled into the service bay at work this morning to fix the issue. I agreed to swap to General Arctimax as I've read good reviews and they were cost effective. My ASM tells me later in the afternoon that he ordered a different set, no change in price.... I was PISSED. Until I did my due diligence and researched the tires he chose (and rallied the heck out of them with the TCS disengaged)
They installed Hercules R-g2 tires..... after further research they are a knock off of the Nokian Haaaaaaakepellita! I mean almost exact replica. I was a little worried as I've never heard of them but two launches from a standstill and several 45mph e-brake slides later I couldn't be happier.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING grip at take off, braking is ridiculous, lane crossing at highway speeds is straight and true, snow drifts are no problem. I drove home (over 40 miles of packed snow roads) at 55mph on the highway while SUVs were creeping at 40 (and i never felt out of control or unsafe)
Here's a link to their site for info http://www.herculestire.com/tire-gallery/passenger-and-light-truck/winter/r-g2/
Directional tread pattern + crazy siping:
Compare to stock nonsense:
Compare to Haaks:
Message to Ma Nature: bring it
Last edited:
Thesoccerone7
New member
This car handles too well in the snow.... I tried having some fun in a parking lot and my car just just like, "let me make this turn for you." Traction control off and no snow tires too.
carsNskis
New member
Hold the button down for about 6-8 secs....then the e-brake becomes the fun lever!
Prospector
New member
Yesterday was my first chance to get out in real snow with the new winter tires (Continentals) the day started off dry and cold, but warmed through the day as a low pressure system moved in. That meant we got snow, then heavy wet snow, then freezing rain. A wide variety of conditions - and lucky for me, I had a series of meetings at different venues through the day, so every hour and a half or so, I got to go for a drive.
With the new tires, the traction control engaged once. ABS kicked in twice.
Basically this means the Sonic's winter driving woes have NOTHING to do with the car's design, and everything to do with tires that were designed for use in the south of Spain.
By the end of the night, we were driving on ice, and sliding around when we stepped out of the car, yet driving there was no issue whatsoever.
I'm a happy camper.
With the new tires, the traction control engaged once. ABS kicked in twice.
Basically this means the Sonic's winter driving woes have NOTHING to do with the car's design, and everything to do with tires that were designed for use in the south of Spain.
By the end of the night, we were driving on ice, and sliding around when we stepped out of the car, yet driving there was no issue whatsoever.
I'm a happy camper.
ChicksHateMe
Member
Which Version Continentals did you get?
I do like the Hercules R-G2 tread design and what carsNskis said about them, but no dealer is close to me.
I also thought about UniRoyal TigerPaws. I got them for my daughter and they seem to work well for her. Plus they were cheap if delivered to store at Wally's, and had great ratings too.
As for the Continentals... I was looking at the Procontacts with EcoPlus Technology. Hoping they'd help in the MPG dept as well as bad weather. They seemed to get a good rating too. I've had Conti's before, on my Jeep and liked the brand.
At this point I guess I will suffer through the rest of the winter with these POS Hankooks and use them through the summer. I'll keep reading what people say, thinking about it and buying around next Oct.
If you can, can you say which Conti you got and an update after you've used them a while, like road noise? Also, if you notice them affecting your MPG's? Thanks for the info....
Prospector
New member
I talked about it here: http://www.sonicownersforum.com/forum/wheel-tire-discussion/17169-new-winter-boots.html
Got them on deal out of Quebec, being a Canadian with a dollar that is worth less and less all the time, this was the best deal I could find - considering that $100 CAD is only $80USD right now, you might find it worthwhile to make a drive to get a set. OTOH, TireRack delivers to your door...
The Continental ExtremeWinterContacts aren't too loud for me, and although I did see a hit on MPG, I can deal with it. I haven't had many miles on them yet though - maybe I'll update you in a few weeks or something.
Last edited:
I drove to and from work today and only had a few issues, my tires are not winter tires but they were great. We had about 5 to 6 inches here and a bit less where I work about 60 miles away. I passed full size 4x4 trucks and cars creeping along. Most of it was icy with some snow on top and there were not many cars on the road. I have a few pictures that aimwill try to upload but I have to reduce the size first. I agree that with good tires the car does very well.
littleturbo
New member
I use Firestone affinity touring for my car. I love then they may not be "sporty" enough for summer but they are a great all season tire. This makes the second car I have had these on.
I have Goodyear ComforTred touring on my car, they are V rated but not real high performance tires. They ride very well and they were great in the snow, I felt comfortable with them. The car impressed me with how well it handled the bad road conditions, driving in snow, slush and icy roads. I do have experience driving in bad weather which helped. If you want a tire that is fairly quiet, comfortable that handles rain and snow then this would be a great choice.
No I do not work for Goodyear.
No I do not work for Goodyear.
ChicksHateMe
Member
I was going to ask what yours were after your last post, But I hunted and think you mentioned them in another post or thread.
I am not ready to invest yet, so I will get by with the Hankooks for now, now that spring is here (I hope). I'm bookmarking this thread so I can research ALL the tires mentioned around the end of summer.
There's nothing I hate about my Sonic. It's wicked comfortable and it drives like a sports car to me. I just hope I can keep being the 2nd one speeding down the highway, because I see a lot pulled over in front of me and have a sigh of relief that it wasn't me. *knocks on wood". But it's so hard NOT to enjoy the power and ride....
But, for next winter, I've got too many decisions to make, and I can only really have/afford one vehicle. So I am thinking...;
1. I do miss AWD, so I am considering checking out a late summer TRAX. Or Maybe a Subaru or Jeep Cherokee. I had a Grand Cherokee for 21 years with few issues. But this means investing another $10,000 or so...
2. I love the solitude and fun of driving nights, especially in bad weather and I always wanted a 4WD Plow Vehicle, but the prices scared me away. Although, after this winter, it probably would have been paid in full. SO, I may go that route for a winter, and see if it pays off. But this is an even larger investment, even if I gamble on used.
3. Invest $400 - $500 in tires and keep the Sonic. From what a lot of you say, it sounds like it's not that bad with any decent tires, and I DO love the ride.
I have such an urge to buy GOOD tires now. But, I doubt I could get much for the Hankooks, even with just 6K on them. Not sure I'd even want to curse someone else with these Hankooks. Plus, I am not sure NEW tires would benefit me that much before the fall.
So, I'll fight off the buying urge for now. Especially if I'm not sure what I really want to drive next winter. But, I will probably keep the Sonic and revisit this thread then. I'll just get the car ready for summer by having it detailed soon. Thinking about adding a Roof Rack too.
I'll save the tire expense til Fall, or until I take one out on a curb, which will probably be well before Fall.
carsNskis
New member
I had some hesitation buying snow tires so close to spring but after a few commutes I have no concerns.
My stock Hankooks only have 2500 miles so I think rather than remount I'm going to look to sell them and find some better summer tires.. My main dilemma is whether I keep the stock rims or find new shoes for the summer and keep the stock wheels mounted up with the winter treads..... more than likely tires and springs.
My stock Hankooks only have 2500 miles so I think rather than remount I'm going to look to sell them and find some better summer tires.. My main dilemma is whether I keep the stock rims or find new shoes for the summer and keep the stock wheels mounted up with the winter treads..... more than likely tires and springs.
I researched tires before I chose mine also, I decided on them for their overall ratings including the comfort and quite part. If we had more snow here I would have gone with the TripleTred Goodyears.
The price was good also, th store matched the cheapest online price I found and they had an $80 rebate. I used my Goodyear card which doubled it to $160 which I received about 5 weeks later. I also had 6 months to pay for them with no interest. I paid about $82 for each fire, plus tax etc of course.
ChicksHateMe
Member
I think I am leaning towards those TripleTreds now that you pointed them out. I like the tread pattern They had some good reviews, with only complaint being noise it seems. I don't think that would bother me much.
I liked Goodyear Eagles before I tried the Conti's on my Jeep. They were smoother and quieter actually.
I am not too worried about price, but hope I can squeeze out some deal like you pulled off. Gonna hold out til end of summer when I should be debt-free. Thanks for the info.
shorebreeze
Member
Not that there's much I can add to this thread this time of year about snow handling, but perhaps a useful detail on snow tires out of season. I installed Nokian WR G3 tires last September, the only winter-rated all-season with a treadlife warranty on the US market. They're an excellent ice and dry snow winter tire, although only a modest improvement over a regular all-season in the slush. And now that I've been through the better part of a summer with them, I can say that they do seem to make it as an all-season, though with a caveat. Performance in the rain is much better than the stock Optimo tires, and while performance in dry conditions is not quite as good, it's good enough. The main caveat is that you MUST rotate them more frequently than most all-seasons; Nokian recommends 5,000 miles and I highly suggest you stick with that. My first rotation was something like 5,200, and already there was a bit of either cupping or something else that was slightly tilting all the little rubber ridges on the front tires into a serrated feel as you ran your hand over the tires. This now seems to be correcting itself after a choppy and somewhat noisy first thousand miles.
I'll keep posting going forward.
I'll keep posting going forward.
Last edited: