Hey guys,
I just got these tires about a week ago. I wanted to get your opinion on how you think they'll be in the snow. I will also be adding weight to the trunk.

[/IMG]

[/IMG]

 

what width are they? Are the M+S tires?

 

they are 255/18. They are good year eagles all season tires

 

Well the all seasons shouldn't be terrible, For optimum snow traction you'd be best off with the skinniest tire you can run.
It's still gonna drive like a mustang, but they're better than summer tires...

 

they are goodyear eagle rs-a2.

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....el=Eagle+RS-A2

i have a lot of experience with the rs-a in the winter on a different car (and narrower width at 235) and they are adequate as far as all-seasons are concerned.

i'd put a lot of weight in the trunk. i found that helps tremendously.

 

I was going to get snow tires mounted on rims with the money i got back from the insurance company, but the deductible wiped that out. So i forced to use the brand new rims and brand new tires for the winter. It wont be as bad as last year, but hopefully with some weight in the trunk ill be fine. How much weight do you guys recommend?

 

As little as you can get away with and still be able to get it moving without too much trouble.

Weight added in the trunk is behind the rear axle line and unloads the front tires. This isn't good when you need to make the car turn corners (the term "plow" will become very clear, and left turns between curbs will be somewhat more threatening).

Too much weight back there can also make the car harder to "catch" if you do get the tail "loose". More mass back there trying to keep it sliding sideways.

I'd stay under 100 lbs if I were you, and cram it as far forward as I reasonably could.


Norm

 

Those aren't going to be very good in any sort of measurable snow. Ok in the cold, but not great. What you have to understand about all-season tires is they are meant to work in all seasons, not specifically in winter which is what many seem to think. I don't think you do, but let's look at some detail.

First, the tread pattern. Lots of long continuous tread blocks. Not much cross siping or many biting edges.

Then there is the rubber compound and tire construction. They aren't just 'all season' but 'high performance' meaning they are geared to have some decent performance in the other seasons, and the things you do to get that make the snow traction suffer. You'll find that many of those tires are rated pretty poorly in snow traction overall. The original RS-A would be a better choice in so far as it has many more biting edges. Imagine walking up or down a slippery hill with shoes that had a pattern like the RS-A2's. Ever notice that winter boots have treads similar to winter tires?

Yes, they are all-season. If you were in say MD I'd say not an issue. But is seems you are in MA, and winters there tend to be worse. I'm in western PA, we get much more snow than eastern PA does--so some of this depends on your location because "winter" and "snow" do vary.

 

My wifes Aspen came with Goodyear RS-A's. Worst tire I've ever driven on. Horrible in the snow. Horrible in the rain. I HATED them. Unless it was dry pavement, they were scary. I put some new tires on last winter and never looked back.

 

i put two to three 40lb bags of softener salt in the trunk. depending on the snow.

like norm said, it will certainly affect the handling/performance dynamics of your car. if there is no snow in the forecast or if the roads are plowed/clear i take out the bags. having said that, i don't find it to be much of an issue...

snow tires are a fantastic luxury item in indiana, but i've never felt i've needed them. if i lived in MI or MN i'd probably invest in a set.