My HHR officially SUCKS!
12-22-2008 | 09:29 PM
#21
New Member
Joined: 07-27-2008
Posts: 15
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
Am I the only one who lives in a very snowy area on All Season tires and has no issues driving?
I have no special skills and as long as some idiot is not in my way I can go anywhere ground clearance is not an issue.
In years past people in RWD on poor All Season tires got where they were going with no isses. Why so many compplaints today on better tires on cars with electronic aids that we nevere imagined 30 years ago.
Is it just me noticing or is there a lack of slick road driving present today.
Note this is not directed at anyone just something I noticed in many post on manyh threads on this site.
The first thing anyone should do is in the first snow shut off the aids and hit an empty snow covered parking lot. You can learn alot about a car and tires there.
My SS has proven to be a Panzer on its Triple Treads just as my GTP is.
Even today with the cold temps and icy roads I never suffered any tense moments. On the other hand all the crashed vehicles I saw were 4x4 on winter tires.
Just be smooth and steady and you will get through about anything even on the worst tires.
My only limiting factor is ground clearance. Once it get too deep the air dam is an issue. It pushes the snow and I worry about the paint.
I have no special skills and as long as some idiot is not in my way I can go anywhere ground clearance is not an issue.
In years past people in RWD on poor All Season tires got where they were going with no isses. Why so many compplaints today on better tires on cars with electronic aids that we nevere imagined 30 years ago.
Is it just me noticing or is there a lack of slick road driving present today.
Note this is not directed at anyone just something I noticed in many post on manyh threads on this site.
The first thing anyone should do is in the first snow shut off the aids and hit an empty snow covered parking lot. You can learn alot about a car and tires there.
My SS has proven to be a Panzer on its Triple Treads just as my GTP is.
Even today with the cold temps and icy roads I never suffered any tense moments. On the other hand all the crashed vehicles I saw were 4x4 on winter tires.
Just be smooth and steady and you will get through about anything even on the worst tires.
My only limiting factor is ground clearance. Once it get too deep the air dam is an issue. It pushes the snow and I worry about the paint.
Speaking of crashed 4 X4's, the ones that pass me and end up in the ditch usually have all-seasons on them.
12-22-2008 | 09:43 PM
#22
Senior Member
Joined: 10-06-2008
Posts: 182
From: Toronto
You've obviously found something that works for you. I won't drive in the winter without good winter tires. I used to drive with all-seasons but am now a convert.
Speaking of crashed 4 X4's, the ones that pass me and end up in the ditch usually have all-seasons on them.
Speaking of crashed 4 X4's, the ones that pass me and end up in the ditch usually have all-seasons on them.
That said - my SS is OK in the snow, but next year I will definitely consider getting some magic/snow tires.
12-22-2008 | 09:53 PM
#23
Senior Member
Joined: 03-31-2008
Posts: 772
From: CLEVELAND
Your just screwed at temps that loooooow
Got a sled?
12-23-2008 | 12:01 AM
#24
Senior Member
Joined: 06-29-2008
Posts: 839
From: Crystal Lake
... for winter driving, that is. I installed GoodYear Assurance Triple-Treds this fall to compliment the factory installed "traction control". This morning, in about 6-8 inches of wind-driven snow I couldn't even get out of my damn driveway before getting stuck. After much rocking and back and forth I finally got the bloody thing back in and off the road.
Never shoulda got rid of the 4X4!
Never shoulda got rid of the 4X4!
12-23-2008 | 08:17 AM
#25
Senior Member
Joined: 02-25-2008
Posts: 330
From: Bethlehem,PA
After I got spun around, I left the car on the curb and took my Idorod sled the rest of the way to work!
12-23-2008 | 08:28 AM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: 04-07-2008
Posts: 1,051
From: Wisconsin
The factory tires on my HHR aren't great, they aren't bad. I've had worse cars for snow driving, and I've had better. After these tires are done, I'm getting Yokahma's. I had a set on my Catera and they were excellent in snow.
12-23-2008 | 08:40 AM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: 11-20-2007
Posts: 139
From: 'burbs of Chicago
Locally, the villages are not using salt, just plowing. Last year they salted like crazy, this year it's a money thing. This is why alot of drivers are complaining either about the roads or their cars. I agree about finding an empty parking lot to see how a vehicle reacts....
12-23-2008 | 08:47 AM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: 02-14-2007
Posts: 380
From: Luskville, QC, Canada
I used to own a Jeep and snow traction was marginally better, but not that much (like only 20% better). I have good & narrow (195 65R15) snow tires (on the 3rd winter for the front set) and I seem to be able to outdrive pretty much anything else on the road but 4x4s.
Skill and experience probably have to do with it, but you've got to have the tires for the job, otherwise forget it. BTW, I have no ABS, traction or stability control. These are sometimes good to have, but they are mostly useless if the tires have no grip. I had them all in my previous car and they scared me more than once in the snow.
The HHR is one of the best snow handling FWD car that I've had/driven. Tires are key though.
Yves
Skill and experience probably have to do with it, but you've got to have the tires for the job, otherwise forget it. BTW, I have no ABS, traction or stability control. These are sometimes good to have, but they are mostly useless if the tires have no grip. I had them all in my previous car and they scared me more than once in the snow.
The HHR is one of the best snow handling FWD car that I've had/driven. Tires are key though.
Yves
12-23-2008 | 09:33 AM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: 02-25-2008
Posts: 330
From: Bethlehem,PA
I generally have no complaints about my HHR in the snow, the other day was an isolated incident for me. Before this I had a Hyundai Elantra which was not goot at all.
All I do is slow down and drive carefully and aware, and never had a real problem.
All I do is slow down and drive carefully and aware, and never had a real problem.
12-23-2008 | 10:38 AM
#30
Senior Member
Joined: 03-05-2007
Posts: 629
From: Rochester NY/The Villages, Florida
... for winter driving, that is. I installed GoodYear Assurance Triple-Treds this fall to compliment the factory installed "traction control". This morning, in about 6-8 inches of wind-driven snow I couldn't even get out of my damn driveway before getting stuck. After much rocking and back and forth I finally got the bloody thing back in and off the road.
Never shoulda got rid of the 4X4!
Never shoulda got rid of the 4X4!
I know what you mean about missing the 4x4, they are great for the weather we are having now.
I have 23,000 on my HHR and no traction problems, but It has not really been challenged yet. Lucky I guess.
I will definately need different tires next winter. Thinking about Blizzak's all the way around.