2005 STS needs SNOW TIRES!!!!

[Dasher]

I went to the dealer today to have new brake pads put on and, while there, drove the new 2005 STS. While there, I heard a new STS owner complaining to his salesman because the owner's manual says that, for safety, snow tires must be used on the front and rear in the Winter. He was not a happy camper and I wouldn't be either.

It drives like nothing you've ever driven but I don't like the RWD for Winter and that back seat has no leg room at all. And yes, I tried it back there.

Another thing I don't like is the wide range of prices in the STS. They run from about 41k to 61k and, from the outside, they all look the same. I didn't see a one with the wood trim. They're all brushed chrome and black like the Chrysler 300C.

I don't know how much you'd have to spend for wood trim.

[Norton1]

I think the snow tire front and rear is a liability issue. None of the tire stores in this area, Idaho, will put snow tires on just the front. All or none. Ain't liability a son of a gun??

Always burns my butt that someone can sue someone else for their own stupidity -

[JasonA]

I bet he bought an AWD model, with the summer tire option. I don't like RWD in the winter either. I learned to drive on one...no ABS, no TCS, 4-bbl V8 RWD. It sucks. I love the Cadillac's ammenities and technological advantage over my Oldsmobile from the 1980s. While I never had winter tires on it, they were all-season, and it probably would have helped quite a bit if they were snow tires.

In light of the fact that you can now order an STS in which all the wheels drive, I bet that was the situation.

[Phillip]

If you are going to drive in the snow, why wouldn't you want four snow tires. It make little sense to use only two. If you want to get there safely, you really need all four wheels on the road.

There, now that I have said that, I will come down off my high horse. I used to get by with two snow tires, but that was because I didn't think I could afford all four. It really is false economy though. If you buy four tires, you get twice as much wear as with two tires so your dollars per kilometer is no different. As for ride, my winter tires give a softer ride than the summers. The only sacrifice is in the sporty handling and on ice and snow, I don't tend to drive too aggressively.

So, the way I see it go for four or skip it.

[vantasticdude]

I had snows front only on a past fwd & it was a problem . The front would bite in but the "butt" of the car would try to come around . I definately try to match traction ability front/rear now . My 2 pennies

[Dasher]

Well, I live in Michigan and I only know that I never had need for snow tires on any of my FWD cars beginning with my 1966 and 1970 Toronados.

I would have thought that an AWD would be the last car to need them.

[justgreat]

maybe i missed something, but if we're talking about rwd, then definitely get 4 snows for the winter and try to keep the footprint smaller than the summer tires, much better traction. if only the rears are equiped with snows you will plow thru the turns. if we're talking awd, snows aren't necessary under most snowy conditions. the advice on the four snows comes from experience...the alfa would outhandle the fwd cars in cetain snowy conditions. but, it is important to try and keep the width narrower than the summer tires; that really helps with the car's ability to cut thru the snow by concentrating the weight onto a smaller patch.

welcome to the world of rwd in the winter; all the traction control in the world will only help so much. jackg 90seville 95k

[JasonA]

I think the key in this particular situation is the gentleman with the STS in question probably had a summer tire package on an AWD model. Even with AWD, I wouldn't attempt to drive summer tires in the snow. Not only is the tread pattern and width not optimized, but the tread compound itself won't work well on the ice. All season tires would certainly be preferrable, or winter tires for the best performance...and with AWD, I would put them on all four wheels.

[Regis]

bbobynski, I was chuckling the whole time I was reading your post. I couldn't have said it better. And well said by the way.

Next week I get my 4 snow tires and 4 black steel rims on for winter. Sure it costs money and is a hassle. But i live where it snows and this is "how it's done properly". If you think about it, over the long haul your saving your good rims and tires from having to be replaced more frequently and the rims will look better longer. It works out to be about the same cost as if you were to run the same tires and rims year round. Remember, over the long haul.

[gygmy]

the snow tires i put on my truck are the cement blocks i throw in the back. same thing worked for our 87 monte carlo. very high tech and never got stuck even here in new england. i did get stuck once during a bad noreaster driving a fwd vw rabbit. only because i came around the curve on my street, the home stretch so to speak, and had to stop all forward motion cause the plow truck had bogged down. the driver was a bit embarassed and gave me a push to get moving again.

[scottshoe]

I've had "performance" rear wheel drive cars most of my life (and live in Michigan) and with a good set of M+S tires or snows (all 4) could go almost anywhere within reason. 4 is the only way to go in my opinion... just buy some cheap wheels or original take-offs and swap them out complete.