Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (September 1998, week 2)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Thu, 10 Sep 1998 09:46:21 -0500
Reply-To:     Dave <v÷düß@V-DUB.MUSA.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Dave <v÷düß@V-DUB.MUSA.COM>
Organization: University of Missouri-Columbia
Subject:      Re: Snow Driving?
Comments: To: Vanagon List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I have found that tires make all the difference. We had an 81 Vanagon L prior to our 87 Vanagon GL, the 81 was excellent in the snow with it's 185/75 Continental 4 season tires. We did have to use chains on the rear tires while going up pikes peak in a snow storm, but it made it. Our 87 was absolutely terrible in the snow and rain with the stock 205/70 Michelin MXL (I think they were MXL's, what ever the OE tire is). When they were replaced with 205/70 Goodyear Invicta GL's the snow traction was greatly improved. Although the wet weather, i.e. rain, starting traction was still not so great, compared to my current tires, it was still a big improvement. Wet weather cornering was never a problem. I currently have 205/70 Michelin MX4 RainForce tires which are fantastic. They are great in the snow, excellent in the rain and the quietest tire yet. I would highly recommend them, they are worth the extra money. FYI Michelin does sell a MX4 in addition to the MX4 RainForce, it has a slightly different tread pattern, but it's easy to tell the difference, the RainForce's say "RainForce" in 2" letters on the sidewall.

Dave Filcoff dave@v-dub.musa.com Volkswagens! http://v-dub.musa.com ------------------------------------------------------ 87 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Weekender (129k) 88 Fox GL 4 door (151k) 90 Associated RC10 Team Car, Aluminum 95 Specialized Stumpjumper M2 FS ------------------------------------------------------ St. Louis / Columbia, MO LiMBO - Gateway VW Club - VWoA VW Club - Der Busbezitzer Gruppe

>My experience has been that my '85 is terrible in snow. Power seems to go >to the wheel that slips, not the wheel that grips!! Actually, one night >while scanning boring web sites I came across the US trade commission site >and found many complaints filed against VW for "poor wet weather traction". >Anyway, a friend in Whitefish, MT.swears by her Vanagon - she puts four

>studded snows on it though. They say tires make the difference. >Mark >


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.