Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[Errowen]

Originally Posted by GaryS

Snow tires need minimum 6/32" tread. There are usually wear bars at that height between the treads that make it obvious.

The wear bars indicate whether the tire is safe to drive on, but they don't indicate whether the tire will still do the snow job. I think a snow tire's grip is a function of the sharp edges on the hundreds of sipes in the tread blocks -- at the micro level, those edges slice the ice just like a skate blade. Once those sipe edges are rounded, the tire's icy road performance will be gone, regardless of how much tread is left.

[GaryS]

Originally Posted by Errowen

The wear bars indicate whether the tire is safe to drive on, but they don't indicate whether the tire will still do the snow job. I think a snow tire's grip is a function of the sharp edges on the hundreds of sipes in the tread blocks -- at the micro level, those edges slice the ice just like a skate blade. Once those sipe edges are rounded, the tire's icy road performance will be gone, regardless of how much tread is left.

My winter tires have two sets of wear bars, 6/32" and 2/32". So did some Goodyear winter tires I was looking at. But others apparently don't have the 6/32" bars. The article on tread depth at Tire Rack says,

Because tread depth is such an important element for snow traction, winter tires usually start with noticeably deeper tread depths than typical All-Season or summer tires. Some winter tires even have a second series of "wear bars" molded in their tread pattern indicating approximately 6/32" remaining tread depth to warn you when your tires no longer meet the desired tread depth.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=51

[Gray_Panther]

Driving in the highest gear where possible that way even if you punch it the low RPM's will not provide enough power for wheelspin.....I engine-brake because I am a bitch

[ealoken]

I live in norway, my best tip is DTC stage 1, not dsc off.
with DTC the car allows some wheelspinn and steering correction, but the DTC will save you when you need it.

I have 205/50-17 Yokohama IG 30 tires for winter use.

[Braap]

This thread is a little funny to me...I mean, in reality; wouldn't one have some rear drive car control skills by the time you've stepped up to owning one of these machines?

Just sayin...

[ptack]

If you're that worried get a new set of snows (Dunlop Wintersport 4Ds) from the Tire Rack. You'll be surprised at how good the car is in the snow. The tires make all the difference. I've never had a problem and usually find my car does better than the people driving fwd with all seasons.