Tire pressure and snow

[Tippey764]

I've heard and always though that lower tire pressure helps with traction in the snow because your tires will cover more surface area.

Is this true? Or could this damage the side wall of the tire driving with them bulged out?

I drove around with my tire pressure at 32psi then set them to 15psi and did notice some slight improvment.

[Pandemic]

Depends. It's probably best to find some pizza cutter tires and make them firm because they'd go through the snow easier. Riding ON the snow is probably not a very stable place to be if you can avoid it. Think WRC.

[visualpoet]

^ True.

Lower tire pressure will give you a larger contact patch, however you're more likely to hydroplane or skate (depending on conditions) and it makes for a softer sidewall resulting in a lot of extra strange tire movement in high speed maneuvers, plus it's hard on the sidewall compound itself. Keep them filled properly, watch your tread depth, and if it's a big issue, rock steelies with snow tires in the winter.

[Ralphie]

I believe this is a misconception.

There was a thread on here where it was debated and a lot of people chimed in with pretty strong information stating that for driving in the snow, snow tires and/or chains is the only real way to drive(besides 4wd)

Just in case anyone want's to doubt me-

http://www.drivers.com/article/354

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/...in664800.shtml

http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/...jsp?techid=121

[Macaqueistrong]

I believe this is a misconception.

There was a thread on here where it was debated and a lot of people chimed in with pretty strong information stating that for driving in the snow, snow tires and/or chains is the only real way to drive(besides 4wd)

Just in case anyone want's to doubt me-

http://www.drivers.com/article/354

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/...in664800.shtml

http://www.tirerack.com/winter/tech/...jsp?techid=121

I still dont believe you.......

[foamypirate]

I still dont believe you.......

Nor do I, because I drove a RWD truck with all seasons and no weight in the bed through multiple huge snow storms, without problem. Just have to know how to handle the vehicle and control throttle/brake inputs.

[Losiracer2]

I wouldn't do that, if you drive high speed that puts a LOT of stress on the sidewall and could cause a heat ring and wear away the sidewall. I'd just leave them at the recommended pressures and get chains and do it right.

Or buy SNOW tires meant for such conditions.

[marcusv8thunder]

Assuming your tyre pressure are correct to begin with wont increase surface area, in fact it will reduce as the middle of the tyre shrinks in diameter. However this can be useful also, as youll be running on the inner and outer parts of the tyres which will dig into the snow. But its not recommended.

Thin tyres arent the best solution, however a sharp sidewall shoulder would be beneficial. Keep it simple though just run proper tyre pressures.

[Tippey764]

I wouldn't do that, if you drive high speed that puts a LOT of stress on the sidewall and could cause a heat ring and wear away the sidewall. I'd just leave them at the recommended pressures and get chains and do it right.

Or buy SNOW tires meant for such conditions.

Well im not looking to really spend any money. It dosen't snow here that much to justify special snow equipment.

[Ralphie]

I still dont believe you.......

Nor do I, because I drove a RWD truck with all seasons and no weight in the bed through multiple huge snow storms, without problem. Just have to know how to handle the vehicle and control throttle/brake inputs.

With tires that were low in air?

I mean look don't believe me and do what you will, obv everyone on here will anyway as my word isn't worth much and that is fine with me.

I live in NYC and i know how to drive in snow/ice.

Ill wait for the, "oh so fuck me look what i did and here is the pictures" thread.

[Accrdwgnguy]

Umm keep your tires inflated properly. Yes lower pressure will give you better grip, but will also cause other, more expensive issues.

If you are really that cheap I can give you the snow chains I got with my Accord, I never used them

[Ralphie]

Nor do I, because I drove a RWD truck with all seasons and no weight in the bed through multiple huge snow storms, without problem. Just have to know how to handle the vehicle and control throttle/brake inputs.

And Foamy you of all people know that just because nothing happened in the multiple times youve done it doesn't mean it can't happen.

Everyone knows you run snow tires and chains to do it right, anything else is just asking for trouble so why give bad information that could seriously injure or kill someone?

Because it is easy to hide behind a computer?

[crazymikey]

My tires are 35psi all year around. Having snow tires is the greatest factor in the amount of traction you will have in the snow.

I run 4 Blizzaks on my car at 35psi and my car plows through anything, handles well and rides like it should. Can't even notice I don't have my summer wheels on.

I wouldn't recommend really running under 30psi for daily driving. It ends up being alot of extra and unsafe wear and tear on your sidewalls and shoulders. It will make your sidewalls crack and will unevenly wear out your tires.

[Losiracer2]

if you can't afford tires then don't ruin the set on your car! Low tire pressures are the #1 cause of blowouts...especially here in AZ. Thats why new cars have TPMS sensors to alert you of a nail or whatever. 15 is WAY too low. Just drive careful man, or buy chains like others said, I know that won't break the bank.

Ultimately its your safety at risk.

[foamypirate]

And Foamy you of all people know that just because nothing happened in the multiple times youve done it doesn't mean it can't happen.

Everyone knows you run snow tires and chains to do it right, anything else is just asking for trouble so why give bad information that could seriously injure or kill someone?

Because it is easy to hide behind a computer?

I think you are reading too far into what I said. I never said, "lolz all seasons are the best for snow storms, lol." All I said was that if you know how to drive (not just *think* you know how to), you can do fine with all seasons in a pinch. We didn't get enough snow where I lived to warrant snow tires or chains. If you knew how to drive, the all seasons would get you through any storm in that area. The problem is, people *don't* know how to drive.