[Roadsters] OT(non Roadster) tire question

[Gary McCormick]

In limited sets of circumstances (like straight-line braking), having better
traction in front than in the rear can lead to a spin. If the rear axle loses
traction while the front still has grip, the rear of the vehicle is unbraked
and therefore going faster (or wanting to go faster) than the front. If there
is no imbalance in the forces acting on the vehicle everything would be fine,
but an imbalance left or right of the long axis of the vehicle will cause the
rear axle to deviate from a straight line and try to pass the front axle. Of
course, since they are attached to each other, what happens is that the
vehicle spins.

Because of the high likelihood of encountering marginal traction conditions in
snow country, I can see why this policy is a good idea, but I don't go for it
in normal road conditions, especially on FWD vehicles, where I think that the
benefits of maximum traction on the powered wheels outweigh the liabilities in
the limited case of straight line braking.

Gary K. McCormick
San JosC), CA

Sent from my iPod

On Nov 26, 2011, at 12:16 PM, Dewey Hahlbohm <hahlbohmd at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Hi Tim & all, regarding single axle snow tires, this approach is not
recommended in Montana.  Rear wheel drive vehicles with snow tires only in the
rear is discouraged but not prohibited, 4 snow tires are recommended.
>
> With front wheel drive vehicles the rules are more strict.  Front wheel
drive vehicles require snow tires or studded snow tires on all 4 wheels.
MOST, if not all, tire stores require that you put snow tires on all 4, and
will not mount 2 on the drive axle.  ALL tire stores require studded snows on
all 4 wheels.  They will not mount 2 studded snows on a front wheel drive
car.
>
> I do not know if this is law, I do not think it is.  I believe it is policy
of the tire dealers.
>
> This policy/requirement stems from a law suit about 20-25 years ago.  A
front wheel drive car with studs on the front only spun around with serious
injuries/death, attributed to not having studs on all 4 wheels.  Subsequent to
that lawsuit, you cannot get studded snow tires mounted on just the drive axle
in Montana.  I believe this applies in most states in the Northwest, if not
all states.
>
> So, from a safety perspective, single axle snow tires are not recommended.
However, what you do with the tires after they leave the store is of course
your choice.
>
> Good luck, and have fun in the snow, I know we will this winter.  Dewey
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Tim <tputland at charter.net>
>> Sent: Nov 26, 2011 9:21 AM
>> To: "datsun-roadsters: autox.team.net" <datsun-roadsters at autox.team.net>
>> Subject: [Roadsters] OT(non Roadster) tire question
>>
>> More from the clueless one is southern WI......
>>
>> I want to put snow tires on my S10 (not FWD) and my wife's avalon. I
>> can't afford eight tires. I was thinking of putting two on each of the
>> drive wheels on each vehicle. The avalon is (front wheel drive) 205
>> 65R15 and the S10 is 205 75R15.
>>
>> My question is, if I buy four tires that are 205 75R16 (and get the four
>> tire purchase discount), can I get away with putting these slightly
>> bigger profile tires on the Toyota?
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> I revert back to an old signature....
>>
>> Still cluelss but always learning
>>
>> Tim
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>>
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