G8 Winter Driving Recommendations

[CanuckG8]

Hoping to hear from anyone who's using their G8 as a daily driver in Winter climates. We've just finished off 9 straight months of snow up here in Alberta Canada and I want to be prepared for next winter with my new G8. I grew up driving large rear-drive North American cars so have the driving experience but am mostly interested in the following:

- wondering if snow tires are still recommended?
- if so, what brands have worked well?
- how much does traction control help?

Thanks!:Canada::windy:

[Chewy]

I have a set of Blizzaks mounted to 17 wheels and they are amazing... I just bought cheap small wheels which make the tires a TON cheaper as well.

I drove all winter with no issues. TC works well but more for the stabilitrac then anything. When you're pushing snow sometimes it's nice to control the rear tires with your foot and not let the computer do it. It liked to shut it down to much which would stop the cars forward movement.

All in all a great winter beater...

Chris

Here's where they are now...:)

[BlueJacket]

I would say winter tires are a must. I have 245/45R-18 Dunlop SP Winter Sport M3 and they were great all winter long. They make the car a blast to drive in the snow too.

[mtolivecracker]

i just bought 2 stock 19" GT rims so that i can throw Blizzaks or something on them for the winter and put em on the rear. keep the stock tires for spares.

[majesticix]

Definitely grab some winters. I went with 17" rims from the rack and some 225/55/R17 Dunlop SP Winter Sport tires. I went with a smaller tire size which helps reduce the carving path in snow.

They have great traction in the snow and in the dry too...Blizzaks were a bit too squishy for me on dry pavement (though they are top notch when it comes to snow/ice). I'd also look into the Nokian Hakkas (or whatever they call them now). They are a sick tire, but not cheap! I would recommend either getting snows for your stock 18" rims if you have them or getting yourself an extra set of rims (go 17" or 18"). Tires are much cheaper vs 19" tires...plus it was save you money in the long run from having to swap out your summer to winter, then back to summer (which can usually run $30/tire x 4 (x twice a year)). If you do get extra rims though, keep in mind you'll want to get an extra set of TPMS sensors unless you feel like swapping those out or getting yelled at every time you fire up the car...

I paid $1400 in total after shipping and everything for my rims and tires from Tire rack, including TPMS sensors. Big chunk of change at first, but in 3 years it will have paid for itself vs swapping tires off my 19" rims.

[CanuckG8]

Wow - thanks everyone for the great information!!!

This helps me in planning for the next winter. Will have to start
shopping around for good tire & rim deals. This is my first vehicle with
TPMS so I'm glad majesticix mentioned this in his reply.

Thanks again everyone.

CanuckG8:headbang:

[R.Penguin]

Hoping to hear from anyone who's using their G8 as a daily driver in Winter climates. We've just finished off 9 straight months of snow up here in Alberta Canada and I want to be prepared for next winter with my new G8. I grew up driving large rear-drive North American cars so have the driving experience but am mostly interested in the following:

- wondering if snow tires are still recommended?
- if so, what brands have worked well?
- how much does traction control help?

Thanks!:Canada::windy:
As much as I like Calgary, my recommendation is to move South about 1400 miles. :p

[sweetair]

Putting the auto into manual mode 3rd gear is a nice way to start off sometimes as well.

[syP]

SNOW TIRES... are a must.


I drove that at the time bc it was my daily driver at the time..

I no longer have a need for my 4 18" Snow tires...


I can sell them to you for a good deal... lemme know ;)

[Struggle]

Like others stated (we will be on our first winter with our car) that it seems best to just buy a separate set of wheels and tires.

I bought a set of 18" wheels,tpms sensors and blizzaks mounted and ready to go shipped to my house for $1,400 and some change (tire rack).

Not cheap but since we have the 19" wheels I was not going to hassle with switching tires around.

Also the bonus is now we have a full size spare tire as I kept the same aspect ratio on wheel size.

[jnak]

The stock Goodyears are crap in the snow. Winter tires are definitely a must. Hopefully there's not a shortage this year like last year. Stabilitak works really well, so don't turn it off. Just be careful and you won't have any problems.

[jimmyban]

This car is great in the snow. It's not a 4x4 but it's the best RWD I have driven because of its 50/50 weight distribution. Also, stability control works very well, although if you are an experienced driver you will usually correct the car before it kicks in.

My car came with 19s/summer tires so I had no choice--I bought a set of stock 18s with A/S off the "other" board and was quite pleased with them. Not winter tires but they got me around some nasty weather (Chicago area). After a few winters I plan to upgrade to winter tires.

[Struggle]

The stock Goodyears are crap in the snow. Winter tires are definitely a must. Hopefully there's not a shortage this year like last year. Stabilitak works really well, so don't turn it off. Just be careful and you won't have any problems.

I just bought blizzaks from tire rack and they were on closeout so it seems like now might be the time to buy winter tires if one can swing the dough now.

I paid $159 each for 245/45R18 BS Blizzak LM22 96V I am not really sure if this was a good price but I doubt I could have gotten anything like that around in that price range

[jnak]

I've heard good things about the Blizzaks. I went with Michelins and they are great, but also cost me an arm and a leg.

[Seattle09GT]

I'm going to take a different path for winter driving. I've concluded the best options out there cost $1,000 to $2,000 for the four corners (I wouldn't use the stock rims). $1,500 buys a beater Ford Escort with a 5-speed that I can drive for the winter and then sell for $1,500.

Come the fall I'm looking for a beater car to do yeoman duty.

Pontiac Montana minivans are excellent in the snow and crazy dirty cheap, but quality is bad. I've also found the Mazda 626's and Proteges are in the price range, along with Ford Probes (the 1989 - 1992 models with a manual and the 2.2L Mazda 4 can't be killed).

Anyway, that's my route. My G8 is going to be a winter garage queen.

[Chewy]

I didn't get the TPMS and really didn't miss them... Yes the light stays on but whoopie... It saved me some dosh at the time.

Now we can buy them here from the source for next to nothing...

Chris

[ashaal]

I'm going to take a different path for winter driving. I've concluded the best options out there cost $1,000 to $2,000 for the four corners (I wouldn't use the stock rims). $1,500 buys a beater Ford Escort with a 5-speed that I can drive for the winter and then sell for $1,500.

Come the fall I'm looking for a beater car to do yeoman duty.

Pontiac Montana minivans are excellent in the snow and crazy dirty cheap, but quality is bad. I've also found the Mazda 626's and Proteges are in the price range, along with Ford Probes (the 1989 - 1992 models with a manual and the 2.2L Mazda 4 can't be killed).

Anyway, that's my route. My G8 is going to be a winter garage queen.


Traded in my '98 V6 626 for the G8 GT in Feb. the car drove fine in the snow (and it saw plenty this last winter). Never used the Traction control though actually made the car more dangerous IMO. Also the e-brake is perfectly positioned for power sliding

[Struggle]

I'm going to take a different path for winter driving. I've concluded the best options out there cost $1,000 to $2,000 for the four corners (I wouldn't use the stock rims). $1,500 buys a beater Ford Escort with a 5-speed that I can drive for the winter and then sell for $1,500.

Come the fall I'm looking for a beater car to do yeoman duty.

Pontiac Montana minivans are excellent in the snow and crazy dirty cheap, but quality is bad. I've also found the Mazda 626's and Proteges are in the price range, along with Ford Probes (the 1989 - 1992 models with a manual and the 2.2L Mazda 4 can't be killed).

Anyway, that's my route. My G8 is going to be a winter garage queen.


We thought about going that route but sold our neighbor our Dodge Neon so that more than paid for the new wheels and tires. Also since I stay at home with my kids DW can chose to drive the mini-van if she wants.

[gearhead455]

My G8 will never see snow,that's why I got didn't trade in my Jeep. :)



http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h309/bluesman455/Stormpics2008008.jpg

[superspud]

I didn't get the TPMS and really didn't miss them... Yes the light stays on but whoopie... It saved me some dosh at the time.

Now we can buy them here from the source for next to nothing...

Chris

linky?

I have the 19 summer tires and suffered through snow storms in March in WI. Not wanting to endure this again, I need to find a workable solution for this coming winter.

[superspud]

along with that I have a spare set of 98 Grand Prix GT 17" rims, will those fit my g8 with blizzacks mounted?

[RevGTO]

I know it's doubtful, but does anybody know if 16" f-body rims will fit - on the rears at least? I have plentiful supply of those with Blizzaks mounted sitting in my basement.

[Slizzo]

Grand Prixs of all years have a different lug pattern than the G8.

17" rims are the smallest that will fit on a Sedan/GT due to the brakes. 17" Fbody rims will fit I hear with the correct hubcentric rings.