noob needs help finding tires w/ poor weather traction

[flrseclipse17]

Well i apologize off the bat in case this is a double post or is covered in the new users info but i am running into problems with my 99 eclipse after moving back to the "frozen" north from Florida, my problem is this i haven't any traction to be able to drive my car. i have Kumho ecsta supra tires mounted on 17" Konig tantrums, also ive lowered the vehicle via Eibach sportline springs. and suggestions on a set up to help me out would be very appriciated.
Thanks.

" edits where made after i actually researched. thanks for pointing out my errors."

 

[jtmcinder]

There's no such thing as Proline ... Prokit or Sportline? If you're on Sportlines with no camber kit, then you have too much front camber for a wrong-wheel drive car on snow.

- Jtoby

 

[flrseclipse17]

sportline my bad kinda mixed up the two. and yes i had the camber corrected when i got my allignment after lowering the thing.

 

[jtmcinder]

How was the camber corrected? To what value was it corrected? If you're on decent tires, then it really comes down to two things: camber and hitting the bumpstops. If you've dealt with the first, then I have to ask about the second. Are you on shortened shocks or something as long as (or longer than) stock? Snow creates a very rough road. If you are hitting the bumpstops, then you are losing a ton of grip. Also, I've not heard of Kumho all-terrain tires. What's the model name?

- Jtoby

 

[hoffman]

khumo = curb hugger. Except the v700 for events

Other than running studs, I have yet to see a true all season tire. Its a marketing ploy. What is an "all terrain tire" by the way? You going mudding?

You are going to have to be much more specific in your descriptions.

 

[flrseclipse17]

the camber kit that i had them use was spc 3.0 for the rear and front as for the tires i found that after looking them up they where kumho supra ecsta and i was actually told they where all season "my bad on all terain still thinking of trucks" however the shocks/struts very well could be the problem when i had everything done they just replaced them with oe gas ryder set up. do you have any suggestions on strut set up?
and the tires have roughly 25k on them in the Florida sun so the traction isnt too great.

Originally posted by jtmcinder
How was the camber corrected? To what value was it corrected? If you're on decent tires, then it really comes down to two things: camber and hitting the bumpstops. If you've dealt with the first, then I have to ask about the second. Are you on shortened shocks or something as long as (or longer than) stock? Snow creates a very rough road. If you are hitting the bumpstops, then you are losing a ton of grip. Also, I've not heard of Kumho all-terrain tires. What's the model name?

- Jtoby

 

[flrseclipse17]

my bad i am just starting to try to learn all this about imports i have been mostly working on a 70 buick and a 97 f150 my entire adult life so its new. the tires where supposedly all season and i did research and found them to be high performance summer tires still talking french to me but ok. do you have any suggestions as to what kind of set up to run? i am goin to stock springs buying kyb gr2 shocks/struts and i am keeping my 17" konig tantrums that just leaves me with the need to find some size 225 45 17 tires that would be better equipment for northern driving. thanks for any help.

Originally posted by hoffman
khumo = curb hugger. Except the v700 for events

Other than running studs, I have yet to see a true all season tire. Its a marketing ploy. What is an "all terrain tire" by the way? You going mudding?

You are going to have to be much more specific in your descriptions.

 

[VOTBLINDUB]

i'll stick with the topic, get stock wheels and use all season rubber or winter rubber, thats what im rolling on now, 17s wont do, i tried and slid all over my street and almost crashed.

 

[Defiant]

Putting a clue as to WHAT you need help with in the title of your posts will get you more replies.

 

[MNGSX]

1. Get a ground control coil over set.

2. Get the shocks you were talking about.

3. Get some cheap beat to f&cking hell stock 16inch wheels.

4. Get a true all season performance tire and have the shop sipe it some more or say eff it and get a real snow tire. Some of the heavily siped (come that way) snow tires with soft rubber compounds are like broomball shoes. You don't need studs. just bugger tread.

"Hakapelitta" (sp) is one "blizzak" is another...

I think "beat up 20 year old $600 4x4 truck" is the third...:laugh:

 

[jtmcinder]

Kumho 712s (aka Ecsta Supra) are lousy on snow. Just get a second set of wheels with some Graspics or Blizzaks. Amazing difference.

- Jtoby

OT: when I was living in Vancouver, I took my family up to Big White on nearly treadless 712s. There were two mountain passes labelled "chains beyond this point." I have never been as scared while driving. But we couldn't stop, since it was too cold outside for a 3 year old. Very very stupid.

 

[luv2rallye]

Originally posted by flrseclipse17
Well i apologize off the bat in case this is a double post or is covered in the new users info but i am running into problems with my 99 eclipse after moving back to the "frozen" north from Florida, my problem is this i haven't any traction to be able to drive my car. i have Kumho ecsta supra tires mounted on 17" Konig tantrums, also ive lowered the vehicle via Eibach sportline springs. and suggestions on a set up to help me out would be very appriciated.
Thanks.

" edits where made after i actually researched. thanks for pointing out my errors."

Get real winter tires for snow - all season are worthless for snow - just a pr rap. The very very best passenger snow tire by far (like 10 times over) are the Nokian "Hakapelitta" REAL winter snow tires (made in Finland - and available in the US). I know - I lived in Minnesota 50 years and have tryed them all - including pro rally tires. Don't waste your $ on Blizzacks - I've tryed them too - terrible (they also are designed to wear out as a snow tire in 2 seasons). I've also tryed Kumho's - great as a pro rally tire for mud but not that good for a passenger snow. I have the "hockey pucks" on my 99 GST and love them (also put 100lb of sand in the back for traction).

You want a snow tire? Then get a snow tire! (and cheap steel wheels)

Check out http://www.nokiantires.com/newsite/tiresub.cfm?cid=1&sid=1
but they are available locally if you call around (even though many will say not). Don't bother with Tires +; they went Michelin (Blizzacks) 2 years ago (they used to have hockey pucks 6 years ago).

 

[Morphius]

Be sure to get a tire with a narrower tread width than what you are running now. Something around a 185 or 175 width. By decreaseing the tread width, you are increaseing the amount of pressure you are exerting on the ground. (ie the weight of your car is on a smaller contact patch, smaller surface area)

That itself, will greatly increase wet/snow driving. Add some tires that are siped, like a Bridgstone Blizzak and you are set.

Personally, I just run a run of the mill mud/snow tire from any dicount tire shop. The cheap ones. And at 185 width. I get around great in the snow.