Date:         Mon, 22 Sep 2003 22:28:54 -0400
Reply-To:     "John P. Flaherty" <jflahert@MAINE.RR.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "John P. Flaherty" <jflahert@MAINE.RR.COM>
Subject:      Re: WANTED: winter tires
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I have to totally disagree withMark. The purpose of the heavy tread on a
snow tire is to keep drive wheels from spinning when torque is applied to
them. It does nothing for improving steering.

When front wheel drive cars were introduced, it was quickly discovered that
having STUDDED tires on the front only would cause the car to spin under
hard braking. It whas therefore recommended (in some places mandated) that
front wheel dirve cars that ran STUDS had to have studs on all 4 wheels.

Over the years a belief that this somehow applied to RWD vehicles developed.
It's nonsense, and will actually degrade performance when the road isn't
snow covered.

And 2wd vanagons with studded snows on the rear and quality tires on the
front do quite well in the snow.

My $0.02

John Flaherty
Portland, Maine
'84 GL

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Tuovinen" <mst@AK.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2003 3:23 PM
Subject: WANTED: winter tires


> Skip the Blizzaks, get a set(4) Nokian Hakkapelitta's. They will cost more
initially, but less in the long run. They will give you better traction,
less road noise, and last longer than anything I have ever driven on. Note:
I work for an automobile dealership in Anchorage, AK and have driven on many
different tires with & w/o studs in the last 25yrs here. While a rear wheel
drive can get by with snow tires on the rear only, I do not recommend it. By
running snow tires on the drive wheels only you compromise your vehicles
handling and braking abilities. The few extra dollars saved when you buy
only two tires will disappear rapidly when you pay your insurance deductible
after an accident.
>
> Mark in AK
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Hey guys,
> I'm getting ready to do my first chicago winter with my "new" '84 vanagon
> that I picked up this summer.  AS I sometimes hit rough conditions, I was
> planning on putting some snow tires on, at least on the back.  I'm looking
> for a good deal, so I'd take good quality used tires.  Ideally I think I'd
> like to pick up some blizzaks, but I'm probably willing to be flexible
> there.  Any sellers or suggestions?
>
> Thanks a bunch,
> wes
> '84 vanagon 175,500