| Author | Message | ||
     Mark (Kobeyman) New Member Username: Kobeyman Post Number: 6 Registered: 11-2003 |
do these OEM tires perform well in snow? | ||
| Andrew Vick (Afv) Member Username: Afv Post Number: 57 Registered: 02-2002 |
No. | ||
| Rick Neff (Lostinboston) Member Username: Lostinboston Post Number: 224 Registered: 06-2003 |
They are pretty horrible in the snow. There are some snow tires available in the stock size though. Or upgrade to bigger AT's. | ||
| Jamie (Rover_puppy) Senior Member Username: Rover_puppy Post Number: 471 Registered: 05-2003 |
What kind of tires ARE good in the snow? What happens with mud tires? I'm still working on getting west, and everytime I think about snow on the highways, my heart sinks. Snow driving sounds TERRIFYING to me. If there were just "one" condition to adjust to I know I could do it. But, the combinations of highway driving with snow, areas of the highway without snow, driving up mountains on the highways from valleys of no snow up to snow at the tops (and decreased engine performance from O2 dropping). And that's just snow. Add ice into the equation and then begin to thing about off road driving conditions and skills in the snow?? I don't know how you all do it. For some unkown reason, I had it in my head that you just put on snow chains and keep going as usual. I'd just luv to become brave enough to come all the way out west this the winter and not be afraid of driving in the snow on the way there. I think about it everyday and feel overwhelmed by the weather conditions on the way. Snow pictures look SO PRETTY (even without rovers in them.) | ||
| Rick Neff (Lostinboston) Member Username: Lostinboston Post Number: 225 Registered: 06-2003 |
Snow chains arent legal on many roads. So far my BFG AT's have been awesome in the snow. Im sure my CDL, detroit and ETC help though. Mainly just take it slow and you'll be fine. | ||
| Peter J. Kelly (Pjkbrit) Member Username: Pjkbrit Post Number: 60 Registered: 05-2003 |
My Michelin Cross Terrains are great in the snow and ride 100 times better on a warm summers day than HPs which I would not put on a wheel barrow...they are seriously CRAP tires! | ||
| John Moore (Jmoore) Senior Member Username: Jmoore Post Number: 821 Registered: 10-2002 |
I drove Saturday Morning from NYC to Albany NY in some pretty bad snow. That was when that big storm was moving up the coast. I have the stocker GY 18"s on my truck. A ride that should have taken me 3 hours took almost 6! The whiteness was blinding. I stopped at rest stations every so often, just so I could get some joe and could take a break from concentrating so hard, when I finally got home my back and neck were very stiff from the intent driving. The snow plows were having a hard time keeping up. Most cars were confined to one lane. The average speed on the interstate was around 35. My Disco performed great, even with the stock tires, I was able to average around 50 mph. Though there was little traffice, ocassionally, I would come up on several cars bunched together. I would pass them in the "less" plowed left lane, when I could find a long straight part of the highway. I would hear the ETC doing it's thing. If I felt the rig start to drift or swerve in the snow, I would let of on the gas and let the truck find the road again. What ever you do in snow, try not to use the brakes! Once you lock up your screwed. Use the gas and the gear shift to help find your way. It was a crazy ride, glad it's over! | ||
| Mark & Bev Preston (Markp) Member Username: Markp Post Number: 243 Registered: 02-2002 |
A couple of things: - Get rid of the HP's and put on something like the Dunlop Radial Rover R/T's. - In many ways snow driving is mental. 4WD will get you going but does nothing to stop you. Keep telling yourself that. - Go find some snow in a parking lot and play. Make it spin, steer where you want to go and SLOWLY back to straight. Have fun, just don't run into a light pole. - Flat lands like Kansas can be more dangerous than the mountains. The mountain roads are usually ski roads and that's money. They keep them in good shape. No ski areas in the flatlands. Nothing to stop the wind which will glaze the roads and pile up the snow in the dips. Some of my worst winter trips have been across Kansas/Nebraska/Oklahoma/Texas. - If you can hear the snow/road your fine. If the road goes quiet then slow down verrrry slowly and do not use the brakes. Noise is your friend. - Keep the gas tank above 1/4 tank or more. - Always keep an emergency kit of blankets,candy bars and water in the truck. Other than that have fun! - Mark | ||
| Joey (Joey4420) Senior Member Username: Joey4420 Post Number: 456 Registered: 04-2003 |
Not Bragging just fact.... Call me crazy, but I have been driving in snow since I was allowed behind the wheel (about 14 years old, so I have been driving for 19 years) Most of my snow driving has been in 2 wheel drives either front or rear. Driving is snow is not that hard, you just have to watch what you are doing, know yourself and the vehicle you are driving. And be very watchful of everyone else. Remember just because you are in a 4 wheel drive/all wheel drive vehicle doesnt mean anything other than you probably can go when you shouldn't, but you still can't stop when you get there. I have driven in ice and snow conditions and passed everything on the road several times in my life, it is just a matter of getting in the left lane and rolling on. I remember I drove from Va Beach to Ohio in one of the worst snow storms in years = freezing rain and snow, it was freezing so fast that the defrosters and wipers couldn't keep the ice from building up on the window. After about 2 hours of this, I pulled over to find my CB antenna was 2" round with ice, I scrapped the window off and kept going. It is amazing what you will do to get home for Christmas when your in the military. It made a normal 8 hour trip into a 12 hour one. This was done in a '96 Dodge Caravan with all season radials. If you watch the roads you will find that most SUV's and 4 wheel drives will be in the ditch more than on the road, because the owners can't drive, not because of the road conditions. Most 4 wheel drive/all wheel drive owners feel that since the have that style of vehicle it can go anywhere, anytime, anyplace no matter what. If you drive within your own abilities and take it easy you will be fine. One of the main reasons I bought my Disco is for fun and to go when I should be on the road...The road crews in my area of WV take up to 3 hours to clean the road in front of my house (two miles away and on the same road as the state garage). | ||
| Christopher Boese (Christopher) Member Username: Christopher Post Number: 230 Registered: 10-2002 |
Driving technique's as important as tires. If you don't do anything suddenly or do various things all at the same time (like brake while turning a corner) you'll stay in control. And Jamie, I've seen your photo gallery, and if you can drive through mud like that, even deep snow won't surprise you. The thing is to be slow and gradual and gentle with braking, steering, and acceleration. Mark's right about listening to the road. And watch too - if it's cold and you see a wet patch, that's ice. That notorious "black ice" just looks like wet pavement. It's not truly invisible. | ||
| Geoff 93 RRC (Geoff) Member Username: Geoff Post Number: 172 Registered: 11-2002 |
Tall thin tires are better in snow - ever seen winter rally cars? The tires are thin goofy looking things. This is also true for some mud tracks, where the top layer is mush, so digging down a couple of inches gets you to the hard packed stuff. The original wierd sized RR Classic tires (205/80s) are thin for this reason. The stock Disco HPs are setup more for dry/wet pavement, but a different all terrain tire might work better if you want to stay with the stock size. Check http://www.rangerovers.net/rrtires.html#mkii. The D2 and later RR have the same axles, so the information is the same. | ||
| Dean Chrismon (Chrismonda) Member Username: Chrismonda Post Number: 130 Registered: 12-2002 |
John is right use the engine to slow you, I usually gear down instead of braking was really helpful here in NC when all we got was freezing rain and had to be at work.BTW I have Good Year Wrangler LT did okay in the snow. Just have to watch following distance and look ahead. | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 572 Registered: 06-2002 |
I would say that the best way to learn how to drive in snow is by NOT driving a 4wd. I started on a Mercedes 300D with NO power and rear-wheel drive. It was 'put about 300lbs in the trunk and see how fast you learn!' I also drove my mom's big Cadillac with front wheel drive, a 2wd Explorer (and got so frustrated that I sold it!) and progressed on up to my Rover. The Disco makes it SEEM easy (like everything) and I absolutely LOVE knowing I can get home safely...and tow people...and explore...etc. The number one trick is watching other people! Know yourself; how fast you feel comfortable going, check your brakes (not too much though!), know how your vehicle responds in different steering situations, how long it takes to stop with less traction and less visibility, and go from there. When I had my lerners' permit, my dad took me to an empty parking lot in his old work minivan and made me practice braking and steering on ice. BEST lesson we ever had...even though I was scared to death! And remember, NO vehicle can conquer ice! Just stay off the brakes and let the engine do the work. Gear down, etc. Oh, and about tires. I have stock Michelin LTX M/S and I have found that they do amazingly well in both mud and snow, since the tread is just small enough that they don't clump up. However, the most snow I have driven through was probably 18-20". I'll get better tires before conquering Glacier MT and going-to-the-sun pass!!  Happy Winter and Rovering to all! | ||
| Bill Collett (Bcollett) New Member Username: Bcollett Post Number: 33 Registered: 07-2003 |
I had on the HPs on when we had the blizzard in Denver last spring. We had about 35" around my house. I managed to get stuck a couple of times mainly because I thought I could go anywhere. I got out with not much work, but what I noticed with these tires is that they don't dig at all. They just spun turning the snow into ice. I know I would not have gotten stuck if I had a better tire. The HP's are also horibble on ice. My advice, get a decent All-Terrain or (Mud-Terrain if you are going to be doing any offroading at all. You have more choice with 16's too.) Check out www.tirerack.com if you want to research different tires. | ||
| James Sanzone (Albert) New Member Username: Albert Post Number: 12 Registered: 10-2003 |
I just got the General Grabber STs put on my DII. (Tirerack) I did a bit of research and supposedly they do well in the snow. Although I probably wont see any. ATL doesnt get much! but just a recommndation. oh they were cheap too! | ||
| Rudd B. Thabes (Thabes) New Member Username: Thabes Post Number: 3 Registered: 09-2003 |
Tires labeled "all terrain", "all season" and M+S are, at best, fair in snow. If you really plan on driving in a lot of heavy snow, you need a winter tire. The tread design is specific for snow and the rubber is of a different consistancy to allow maximum traction on snow and ice. Tires designated as winter tires by the Rubber Association of Canada and it's U.S. equivalent carry a pictograph of a peaked mountain and a snowflake. Most of the major U.S. tire companies make a winter tire and details can be found on their web sites. | ||
| Joey (Joey4420) Senior Member Username: Joey4420 Post Number: 460 Registered: 04-2003 |
Here is some good info on snow driving as well... http://www.sf.hiof.no/~frodehaa/artikler/snowdriving.htm | ||
| Trevor (Daredvl) Member Username: Daredvl Post Number: 116 Registered: 03-2003 |
Discovery in the snow .. you really have little to worry about if you drive at a reasonable speed. I've spent years driving small sports cars with all season tires in the winter. I wish I could make the Disco slide. ;) | ||
| Eric B. (Ebbnyc) New Member Username: Ebbnyc Post Number: 21 Registered: 05-2003 |
I also have those HPs. I actually spent last Friday checking out this site & others researching the same subject - I was driving from NYC to Northeast PA that night and was leary of the tire's handling in snow, after hearing all you off-roaders' negative reviews. It is in no way an off road tire, but if you're on pavement 70-80% of the time and don't want a second set of dedicated winter tires, it's a good "all around." I grew up in Quebec & like posters above have much experience with snow. There were a few slips & recoveries that night, and more the next day up some uncleared back roads, but nothing that slow, prudent driving wouldn't handle. Ask yourself how many storms you'll be driving in, and what you want your tires to do the other 8 months of the year. I drive between New York and Montreal a few times each winter & I'm fine with the HPs. Hey - I used to do it in a little Renault 5. This is luxury. ...Oh - and to add to the above advice, assume the person in the next lane is an idiot - Keep your distance! | ||
| Bill Collett (Bcollett) New Member Username: Bcollett Post Number: 35 Registered: 07-2003 |
Good point about the idiot in the next lane, or the idiot closing behind you, hoping he/she will stop before they hit you. That has always been my biggest concern when driving in the snow. | ||
| laszlo nemeth (Laz) New Member Username: Laz Post Number: 11 Registered: 03-2003 |
couple random comments about snow driving: while down shifting to slow down is generally correct.......downhill, with no coffee in the blood (ie. not thinking), can cause wheel lockup, a couple of 360's and a tree later can ruin your day. I should have used the brakes. ABS is a wonderfull tool, that is a prime example of when it excels. On watching out for idiots......the idiot may be YOU. My 86 nissan pickup with 4 new studded snows no abs, out brakes modern cars with abs on snow. I have hopped many a curb in that truck to get out of the way. I expect to have to do the same with my disco. also remember the ditch/curb is generally softer then the car in front/behind you. laz | ||
| Peter Matusov (Pmatusov) Senior Member Username: Pmatusov Post Number: 1165 Registered: 09-2002 |
Trevor, you don't do it, it'll do it for you. My Disco did a number on me in Mammoth in the midst of a snowstorm - there's a 15mph-signed turn, that is _really_ a 15mph turn, with a wrong off-camber. I knew it was ugly, so I slowed down by downshifting way in advance. Regardless, it just went on on a really wide arch - fortunately, the Toyota p/u on the oncoming lane ducked to the shoulder, so I missed it. It was quite a feeling - there was NOTHING I could do. I just cared not to touch the brakes, or gas, or not even jerk a steering wheel - any of that would've sent me spinning. | ||
| Ron L (Ronl) Member Username: Ronl Post Number: 225 Registered: 11-2002 |
I drove for sevral months in the snow on stock HP's. HP's are definately not a factor in the snow. The three spots below the "D" on your center consol will help you more than a new set of tires. | ||
| quentin charles neil ross (Qcnr) New Member Username: Qcnr Post Number: 35 Registered: 10-2003 |
Remember you might have twice as much contol in your disco when it is slippery, but it WILL take you at least twice as long to stop This is about the best snow tyre you can get other than spiked ones. MTs are cr@p unless you sipe them. http://www.bridgestone-eu.com/articles.asp?ID=40155 Basically the more siping there is on a tyre the better it will perform on snow and ice... | ||
| Jack Parker (Jack) Senior Member Username: Jack Post Number: 252 Registered: 03-2002 |
With nine months of winter and over 40 feet of snowfall annually, my disco’s been through a lot of snow. Without a doubt the HP’s - like most all other "all season M+S rated" tire absolutely, positively suck in the snow…..compared to a dedicated snow tire like the Bridgestone Blizzak. The biggest difference is stopping and cornering – the dedicated snow tire will provide much better traction and directional control, and not just a little more – it’s a night and day difference. The Blizzak will turn, whereas the HP will continue to plow forward (I've got ETC - I think CDL outperforms ETC when turning on slick surfaces). The Blizzak will stop in a much, much shorter distance than the HP too. Can you still drive all winter on the HP’s? Sure, they are very average in snow, just as they are very average off-road. Actually, I thought they were just average on the highway too. Proper speed and driver control is the key. However as Peter witnessed sometimes no matter how cautious you are, or what tire you’re on stuff happens. I recently slid through an intersection while attempting a right turn into a parking lot, going very slowly. One down side of the disco’s weight is once it starts to slide, it’s gone. Chose the proper tire for the terrain you drive the most and use extra care in other types of terrain. | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 945 Registered: 09-2002 |
Winter/snow driving isn't hard if you use common sense. Living in a city where our winters are longer than our summers you get used to it and the biggest thing I can recommend is to drive slowly. I see lots of SUV drivers that drive way faster than they should because they have "4WD" and it's very true about seeing more 4WDs in the ditch than cars. Big thing, slow down (a lot if you have to) and if the road looks really smooth to you, it probably is. The tip about being able to hear road noise is pretty accurate. Following grooves that have no snow is not always a good thing, especially if the grooves look shiny. In those situations I'll usually put a set of wheels on the shoulder where the snow hasn't been touched and the tires can grip something. Mud tires are typically not a good choice for winter driving on roads. You'll find yourself all over the place. Get a set of AT or dedicated snow tires if you think you'll do a lot of road driving in the winter. Oh yea, Disco's are a PITA to stop when they slide. Their weight really works against them in these situations. | ||
| Andrew Vick (Afv) Member Username: Afv Post Number: 59 Registered: 02-2002 |
What about siping HP's? My wife thinks hers are just fine, but they could certainly be better. |
