How do S03s handle in snow?
12-05-2002, 03:46 AM
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How do S03s handle in snow?
Anyone here ever try Bridgestone Potenza S03s in snow? Wondering if I should go to work today with my car. I've heard RE101s were nightmares on snow. Damn, I knew I should have gotten some all season / snow tires.
12-05-2002, 04:07 AM
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Re: How do S03s handle in snow? (P)
We're getting a lot of snow here in the East. 3" to 9" inches today. I asked someone to share a ride to work 
Keep my car outta da shop. This is gonna sux since my R is also my daily driver.
Keep my car outta da shop. This is gonna sux since my R is also my daily driver.
12-05-2002, 04:38 AM
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Re: How do S03s handle in snow? (Cal_Ripcurl)
Im not risking it with my 712's...
It doesnt snow enough here to get a set of winter tires IMO, so if its a big snow season, looks like Ill be bummin tons of rides all winter
It doesnt snow enough here to get a set of winter tires IMO, so if its a big snow season, looks like Ill be bummin tons of rides all winter
12-05-2002, 05:04 AM
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Re: How do S03s handle in snow? (Cal_Ripcurl)
I wouldn't risk it. I tried on RE010's last year and almost got killed. Save yourself and your car. Bum a ride from somebody 
12-05-2002, 05:37 AM
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Re: How do S03s handle in snow? (Brian)
Theres a reason why they're called summer tires.
I think the booklet that came with the re010s explicitly warned against driving in cold weather.
I think the booklet that came with the re010s explicitly warned against driving in cold weather.
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12-05-2002, 05:40 AM
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Re: How do S03s handle in snow? (jond)
Looks like you're gonna be able to test out the snow tires on the R today John
I'll be testing the 185 width all seasons on my Civic Wagon. Rally cars use skinny tires to cut through the snow right, haha.
I'll be testing the 185 width all seasons on my Civic Wagon. Rally cars use skinny tires to cut through the snow right, haha.
12-05-2002, 06:07 AM
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Re: How do S03s handle in snow? (Cal_Ripcurl)
Do what I did - buy a winter beater. I found an '85 4WD Subaru for $1000. It costs me 1/3 the cost of the R for insurance. I spent about $600 on repairs $108 for registration and $900 on insurance in the 3 years I have owned it so the total bill per year has been less than $900. That's real cheap insurance for the ITR. And when I sell it I can still get probably $500 back so the real cost is like $750. And I don't even have to buy snow tires - this thing will climb an icy tree with just the cheap Korean All-seasons that came with it. Also the Subie is my ride of choice when driving to high car theft areas like center city or the Malls.
12-05-2002, 06:10 AM
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Re: How do S03s handle in snow? (HondaRcB)
Looks like you're gonna be able to test out the snow tires on the R today John I'll be testing the 185 width all seasons on my Civic Wagon. Rally cars use skinny tires to cut through the snow right, haha.
I'll be testing the 185 width all seasons on my Civic Wagon. Rally cars use skinny tires to cut through the snow right, haha.
12-05-2002, 06:56 AM
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Re: How do S03s handle in snow? (Cal_Ripcurl)
I only drove in LIGHT snow before I finally changed them out for my winters... They're bettern than the RE010's, but I still don't think I would do it if I had another option.
Jim
Jim
12-05-2002, 07:15 AM
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Re: How do S03s handle in snow? (Nate Bizzle)
S-03's in the snow? Horrendous. They are fine throughout the winter, but on days when you have to drive on unplowed roads, or over slushy corners at large intersections... its just a nightmare. I've been lucky enough to get rides to work and avoid driving on snow days. I wouldn't recommend driving these in the snow. I almost got stuck several times, there is just no traction whatsoever. If you have ice and/or snow, get something else.
12-05-2002, 07:50 AM
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Re: How do S03s handle in snow? (Chris N)
i got stuck in the snow once with my RE010's and my friend had to get out and push every time i stoped.......it was that bad, but there was a lot of snow.
12-05-2002, 08:36 AM
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Re: How do S03s handle in snow? (ITR21)
Sounds like you're not going to test em, but just in case you get any ideas: DO NOT USE THE S03'S IN SNOW. They're nice tires but man it's ridiculous how much they suck in snow.
12-05-2002, 09:20 AM
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Re: How do S03s handle in snow? (TheRealBenzo)
Snow is still coming down hard. Maybe 10" by tonight. After getting a ride to work and seeing the streets out there, I'd be crazy to drive my car. 
I l'd love to get a subaru. Maybe this is a chance to convince my wife I need a winter car as well as my summer mobile . Let us know how the Alpins handle. Saw good reviews on Tirerack.
I l'd love to get a subaru. Maybe this is a chance to convince my wife I need a winter car as well as my summer mobile . Let us know how the Alpins handle. Saw good reviews on Tirerack.
12-05-2002, 09:42 AM
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Re: How do S03s handle in snow? (Cal_Ripcurl)
It's amazing that the s-03's are SO much better than the RE-010's in the rain, yet in the cold, both tires just suck ***. I guess I figured that since the S-03's are a harder rubber, they would provide *a little* more traction than the re-010's. There's a reason they call them 'high performance' and not 'all season' tires.
At least there is traction below 30 degrees with the S-03's. On cold, non snowy days last year, I could not even get traction enough to pull away from a stop sign without spinning the RE-010's. Good thing I got them off before the snow came....
At least there is traction below 30 degrees with the S-03's. On cold, non snowy days last year, I could not even get traction enough to pull away from a stop sign without spinning the RE-010's. Good thing I got them off before the snow came....
12-05-2002, 09:49 AM
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Re: How do S03s handle in snow? (newgsrdriver)
Im not risking it with my 712's...
It doesnt snow enough here to get a set of winter tires IMO, so if its a big snow season, looks like Ill be bummin tons of rides all winter
It doesnt snow enough here to get a set of winter tires IMO, so if its a big snow season, looks like Ill be bummin tons of rides all winter
12-05-2002, 10:48 AM
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Re: How do S03s handle in snow? (Cal_Ripcurl)
I made the mistake of trying to drive on the RE-010's, and only made it about 500 feet before giving up and then running the 10 miles to work. I have since put on Toyo Garit HTs, which are an H rated 'ice tire'. They are fantastic on ice and snow, and average on dry.
However, since I couldn't bear to drive it through the whole winter, I moved to an apartment thats walking distance to work so I only drive it when the roads aren't too shitty.
However, since I couldn't bear to drive it through the whole winter, I moved to an apartment thats walking distance to work so I only drive it when the roads aren't too shitty.
12-05-2002, 11:49 AM
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Re: How do S03s handle in snow? (Moops)
S-03 tires instantly turn into greased snot when in contact with snow. I had an easier time in my OEM RE010. Dunlop sp Sport8000's are also horrible. Summer only means it. I plan on getting some Green Diamond tires mounted on CRV steelies for my ITR. Green Diamond tires are the ****, all the Saab guys love em. They have industrial diamonds imbedded in the tread. As the tread wears down, fresh diamons are exposed. They don't work quite as well as studded tires, but you don't have all the problems like studded tires present. Blizzaks don't hold a candle. Only problem is if you get to large a profile, and you rub....well diamonds cut ANYTHING with ease.
12-05-2002, 02:21 PM
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like crap
my roommate drove his S4 (yep, that's with awd) to work today and said they were absolutely horrible. the only consolation is that he works about 1 mile down the road...