FocusCanada Forums

I've always said if I find a nice pair of 17's to buy I'd get Bob to get me winter rubber... Something decent. Until such time, I'll be drifting on my all-seasons...

This is a postscript on my wheel+tire purchase from Cheap Thrills.

First snowfall today. The Hankook Ice Bears are performing well.

I tried getting the tire size changed from 205/55/16 to 205/50/16. The 205/55/16 size, in combination with wheels that have only 45mm offset - rather than the OEM 49mm - means that in worst case conditions the outer edge of the tire rubs the top lip of the front fender. You have to work hard to get to the worst case: fully loaded car, sweeping right turn, braking hard. But it will rub. Also, the tire fills the wheel well closely, so I imagine it will quickly get jammed in heavy snow.

I first approached Cheap Thrills. They denied there was a problem - and in fact still insist the 205/55/16 tires are the correct size - "fitted them many times to a Focus". They say their distributor does not have stock of the 205/50/16 tire - "three weeks backlog". Cheap Thrills did offer to take back my wheels and tires for a full refund. This would be inconvenient: I like the wheels and I got a good price I probably can't match elsewhere, and getting wheels+tires from another dealer would require another reinvestment of my time (I live 80km away).

I contacted Hankook Canada - and was told there is stock of the 205/50/15 tire through another distributor and dealer. I verified this, but another several days went by before I could get a final answer out of Hankook - they will not arrange a switch with another dealer. It's now more than ten days since the tires were fitted. They're no-longer new, and I have no leverage. I'll keep these tires. I just have to be careful - at least until the tires wear down a bit.

So the bottom line is that I'll keep the too-large tires, but this rubbing problem has taken away much of the gloat about getting a good wheel and good tire at a good price...

If you are fitting 16" snow tires to your SVT, the closer the wheel offset is to 49mm the better. Make sure the tire is 205/50/16 - don't take 205/55/16. You won't regret buying Hankook W300 Ice Bears.

I've had my 2003 ZTS since this summer, and am debating whether or not to get snow tires... I'll be driving mostly in London and in the GTA. Do you guys think they're worthwhile? Which tires would you recommend? This is my first car, and my family has never gotten snow tires before (and it didn't seem to be a big deal), but all the people I know who have had snow tires swear by them.

js2k6,Nov 20 2004, 11:32 PM Wrote:I've had my 2003 ZTS since this summer, and am debating whether or not to get snow tires... I'll be driving mostly in London and in the GTA.   Do you guys think they're worthwhile? Which tires would you recommend? This is my first car, and my family has never gotten snow tires before (and it didn't seem to be a big deal), but all the people I know who have had snow tires swear by them.
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You can manage with what you have, 90% of the population does but having winter tires is just so much better. You will never go back once you do. You can spend a little or a lot. I like anything by Nokian or Yokohama but even a Canadian Tire product will be fine.

Strongly recomend getting separate steel wheels too just for your winter tires. They pay for themselves in about a year, busting tires on and off your existing wheels gets costly after a while. This also means you can get 15" or even 14" steel wheels and in those sizes you have many more choices and cost per tire is cheaper. Go with a 195 or 185 width. Mine are 185/65/15.

Here's something I noticed in the CT flyer that came in:

Quote:SnoClaws revolutionary traction device
Advanced engineering prevents tire from side-skidding, and is continually self-cleaning to allow better traction
Easily installed in minutes, even while stuck in snow or ice, without moving the vehicle
Installs without jacking up your vehicle
Made from patented BASF high-performance polyurethane
Positive-locking and self-tensioning
Durable, and provides better traction and smoother ride than chains
Completely safe and legal - will not damage road or vehicle
Available in 3 sizes for most vehicles

Any thoughts? I'm wondering how the polyurethane would hold up on the asphalt. They wouldn't do the damage chains do to the road, but being plastic, I'm thinking they'd wear out fast and could potentially snap in stupid cold temperatures after being heated while driving. $130...

I saw those too and posted in Off Topic.

EDIT (added link):
http://www.focuscanada.net/forum/index.php...892&#entry70892
I suppose, but if you have to stop to put them on the mentality is always "well I got this far" or "almost there" or "I'll do it next time I stop".

Truth is if you need such things on your commute the OPP has already shut the road down altogether.

I'll lump SnoClaws with any other traction aid designed to help you out of a snow bank not a winter solution.

Remember what they sell these days are winter tires not "snow" tires, all seasons become less affective at any temp below 7^C.

There is no one answer for all people weather and situations but if you put winter tires on about mid November and off again about Easter I think you have reduced your chance of having any problems be it motion or collision.

Difference between snow and winter tyres? I'm presumming the winters are made of a softer compound that doesn't harden in the colder temps, vs. snows which are studded/uber deep groove?

Raine,Nov 21 2004, 02:40 AM Wrote:Difference between snow and winter tyres? I'm presumming the winters are made of a softer compound that doesn't harden in the colder temps, vs. snows which are studded/uber deep groove?
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Correct.

I have Hakka 1's on the Focus, they are snow tires (picture big knobby school bus tires) they are crazy over kill for Toronto. I would win the WRC Winter Rally of Finland on these. They kill in snow (better than AWD WRX) but are just better than average on ice or dry cold roads.

On the WRX I have Yokohama AVS-Winter-these are winter tires there are EXTREMELY sticky on cold dry pavement, slush and ice and do OK in deep snow but only because the car itself is AWD.

There are days I wish the knobby ones are on the other car and the there are days I wish the more highway tires are on the other. Lets face it there are many days I'd rather be on stock tires but "overall" dedicated tires are best IMO.

Unless you are willing to change wheels daily there is know perfect answer for every situation just be sure to get 4 not 2!

EDIT: MOST IMPORTANT AT ALL ADJUST; IS THE TRIP NECESSARY? IS SPEED REDUCTION A GOOD IDEA? IS DOUBLE STANDARD FOLLOWING DISTNACE REQUIRED?

Raine,Nov 21 2004, 02:40 AM Wrote:Difference between snow and winter tyres? I'm presuming the winters are made of a softer compound that doesn't harden in the colder temps, vs. snows which are studded/uber deep groove?

The new generation of "winter" tyres is revolutionary. Tire technology has advanced so far that "all season" tyres are completely sub-optimal for both summer and winter. Mediocrity - compromising too much for both seasons. I think that climate areas with sharp distinction between winter and summer - most of Canada - need dedicated summer tyres and dedicated winter tyres.

My Hankook Ice Bears - which I recommend highly and are relatively cheap - are typical of the new generation of winter tyres: Optimized geometry and rubber compund - especially the fine "stipes" on each groove which provide a death grip on ice and cold hard surfaces, and improve on snow performance compared to all-season tyres.

If you had an SVT - the decision would be a no-brainer. The SVT's OEM summer tyres are absolutely unsuitable for Canadian winters and there's even a warning attached to the SVT doorpost (I know - I slip-slided through last winter on them). But even your Focus will show significant improvement in stopping distances and road running grip with winter tyres.

Well I've been of the mind to get winters as soon as I get 17's... but just replaced the all seasons this year.

Lemme ask you guys a question. You hear a lot of talk about "lateral biting edges" which translates into little cuts in the rubber... do this help the wheel flex in colder temps?

for a former employee om home depot your pretty bright..............






that is basically what it means............

Would you guys recommend any places in the GTA where I could get competitive prices and good service?

js2k6,Nov 20 2004, 11:32 PM Wrote:I've had my 2003 ZTS since this summer, and am debating whether or not to get snow tires... I'll be driving mostly in London and in the GTA.  Do you guys think they're worthwhile? Which tires would you recommend? This is my first car, and my family has never gotten snow tires before (and it didn't seem to be a big deal), but all the people I know who have had snow tires swear by them.
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most definitely get snow tires. i got used 15" steelies off a contour and pirelli winter tires for 650cdn a few years back.

the ultimate winter solution is find a buddy with a 4WD subaru + snow tires he is willing to give away. pretty much the only thing that beats that sucker when the diffs are locked is a snowmobile... :) (as an added bonus you can go assclowning around trying to get some 4 wheel DOOORIFFTO going while everyone else is suck at home cursing the snow)

Very slippery going home yesterday afternoon. Put the snows on when I got her into the garage and now I'm again looking for the deep powder. Yippeee! :lol: