Snow driving

Just curious, how many people drive their Si in the snow and have you ever had any issues. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a 2 wheel drive in the snow and most of those were RWD. Thanks in advance.

Firemikey92 said:

Just curious, how many people drive their Si in the snow and have you ever had any issues. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a 2 wheel drive in the snow and most of those were RWD. Thanks in advance.

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FWD isn’t too bad in the snow. I think it’s better honestly. You can pull yourself back into a straight line if you start to slide. What you should be worried about is the Goodyear eagle sport tires on the Si. They are scary in the rain once you get some miles on them. I didn’t even want to try them in snow.

SDAlexander8 said:

FWD isn’t too bad in the snow. I think it’s better honestly. You can pull yourself back into a straight line if you start to slide. What you should be worried about is the Goodyear eagle sport tires on the Si. They are scary in the rain once you get some miles on them. I didn’t even want to try them in snow.

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I used to run winter tires during snow months and switch back to a good summer tire in warmer months. Any need for this you think, or can you get away with a high end all season?

Firemikey92 said:

I used to run winter tires during snow months and switch back to a good summer tire in warmer months. Any need for this you think, or can you get away with a high end all season?

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I have never tried snow tires. I’m trying to get a set for this winter to try them out. This will also be my first winter driving my Si and a manual, so we’ll see how that goes.

A brand new set of snow tires is expensive. Here in Indiana the roads dont get too crazy. They usually dump salt and clear them within hours of the 1-3 significant snow storms we get here in a winter.

I have heard that even the cheapest snow tread tires is way better in the snow and ice than the best all season tire money can buy.

So if you have the means to get and extra set of wheels and snow tires for them, it is highly recommended. Have also heard a skinnier tires and thicker sidewalls are better for cutting through the snow. 17” wheels will fit the Si, but nothing smaller.

If you are near Chicago and Wisconsin, it can get bad there.

I drive mine with winter tires. Never had a problem. Only difficulty is spinning the tires off the line.

If you drive with respect for the road conditions, GOOD All-Seasons will work fine 99% of the time - the other 1% a Sno-Cat is needed.
We ran our first 2 winters (75 - 100+ inches total sno-fall) on the OEM Michelins (Pilot HX MXM4) without issue.
The last 5 on Michelin Primacy MXM4 (Honda OEMs) - they work great in wet and snow.
The next set for this winter will be Michelin A/S3+.

I have driven nothing but FWD cars with very little concern for the snow for like 25 years now, never with snow tires.

After driving through the snow, maybe 4" or so, of fresh early morning powder, on the roads last winter, I almost convinced myself to go get some decent winter tires. It was ok on already driven on pavement where it wasn't so thick, but as soon as I got a little into the fluffier snow I started floating around all over. I don't know if I'm getting old or if I don't want to wreck my pretty car into a guardrail or what but I was genuinely nervous.

Add to that the fact that it's extremely easy to spin the tires in the Si, it makes it a bit tough to maneuver without some spin, which then causes slides.

I agree with the other poster, if you have the means to get some winter shoes put on do it.

I'm a firm believer that if you live anywhere that gets a moderate amount of snow, you should get snow tires. I had a set for my WRX and that thing was a beast in the snow. Have a set now for my Si, but I didn't drive it much last winter, so we'll see how it does. At least it has an LSD so you don't sit there doing a one wheel peel. With the amount of torque from this engine it's super easy to spin the tires when they have low traction. Can't imagine trying to drive in more than an inch or two of snow w/ all-seasons on the hilly roads around me.

Firemikey92 said:

Just curious, how many people drive their Si in the snow and have you ever had any issues. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a 2 wheel drive in the snow and most of those were RWD. Thanks in advance.

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I use all-seasons year round but the decision depends on your climate and type of driving. Maryland has pretty mild winters (22" average annual snow), most of my driving is on plowed and salted interstate highways, and work usually gets canceled or delayed if the snow is really bad.

But I would probably be marginally safer if I drove with winter tires in January and February.

Out of curiosity I looked up average daily high/low temperatures for my area and found the following data. This assumes winter tires when daily temperatures remain < 50F, summer tires when daily temperatures remain > 50F, and all-seasons when the average high/low temperatures straddle 50F.

Winter tire days = 90
Summer tire days = 140
All-season days = 134

For what it is worth, I strongly prefer front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive in the snow.

im in canada and i drove during last winter with the all seasons and they were fine. just be cautious and drive for the conditions

tacthecat said:

If you drive with respect for the road conditions, GOOD All-Seasons will work fine 99% of the time - the other 1% a Sno-Cat is needed.
We ran our first 2 winters (75 - 100+ inches total sno-fall) on the OEM Michelins (Pilot HX MXM4) without issue.
The last 5 on Michelin Primacy MXM4 (Honda OEMs) - they work great in wet and snow.
The next set for this winter will be Michelin A/S3+.

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Michelins are hard to beat. I don’t like the Goodyears on the Si for anything but dry.

Today, I just took off my summer wheels ( mounted with PS 4 ) to equip my SI
for winter with 17 in. mags of SI 2008 mounted with TOYO observe Garrit.
Here, we know about snowy winters.
For years, I have been driving with SI ( 2009, 2013, 2017 ) and before that,
with RSX and Integra.
We get used to develop techniques to get through the difficulties.
Unfortunately, during these long months, we have to forget about
good accelerations and high speeds.
We look forward to the arrival of spring.

SDAlexander8 said:

I have never tried snow tires. I’m trying to get a set for this winter to try them out. This will also be my first winter driving my Si and a manual, so we’ll see how that goes.

A brand new set of snow tires is expensive. Here in Indiana the roads dont get too crazy. They usually dump salt and clear them within hours of the 1-3 significant snow storms we get here in a winter.

I have heard that even the cheapest snow tread tires is way better in the snow and ice than the best all season tire money can buy.

So if you have the means to get and extra set of wheels and snow tires for them, it is highly recommended. Have also heard a skinnier tires and thicker sidewalls are better for cutting through the snow. 17” wheels will fit the Si, but nothing smaller.

If you are near Chicago and Wisconsin, it can get bad there.

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Do you have to get new wheels only if your winter tires are skinnier than your normal ones? Couldn't you just get 235 wide winter tires?

MutatedMango said:

Do you have to get new wheels only if your winter tires are skinnier than your normal ones? Couldn't you just get 235 wide winter tires?

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Gets expensive quick if you are remounting tires every year. It used to be recommended that narrower tires be used for winter driving, but from what I've read that's really no longer the case.

fenix-silver said:

Gets expensive quick if you are remounting tires every year. It used to be recommended that narrower tires be used for winter driving, but from what I've read that's really no longer the case.

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Approximately how much does remounting cost? Wouldn't it still be cheaper than buying new wheels too? (Asking bc I'm genuinely curious and looking into this)