PaulFitzwarryne

Its 3 in the morning and minus 5C. Mid winter down under!

One of my routes over the mountains is snow covered and legally off limits without chains. It saves 2 hours.

Has any one any experience of using them on a RX-7. I am used to them on 4WDs and my Fairmont V8.

moremazda

iTrader: (4)

Up here in Washington (US) I use studded snow tires when required for mountain driving in the winter. A MUST!!!! The car does great, although not an ice racer, it is predictable and comfortable.

As far as chains, I have no experience. I would be reluctant to use chains unless absoluty neccessary. But, that is the oppinion of a guy who has never had to use them.

If you drive regularly in the snow through out the winter you might want to get some snow tires. Just a thought.

Ryan

Pedestrian X

as logn as you get chains or soem sort of soemthign to get a decent grip on the road youll be fine.. couldent hurt to throw a couple pounds of **** in the rear over the wheels, makes alot more diff then you would think.

85RX7GS

iTrader: (1)

I've had some pretty close calls in the winter. Where can I get studded snow tires and what brand? TIA.

moremazda

iTrader: (4)

Have you tried a TIRE STORE!!

jeremy

iTrader: (1)

also don't hit your naws.

78Z

I don't know why everyone worries so much about driving in snow. As long as you don't give it too much gas suddenly and pay attension to what you are doing you will be fine. I drove three winters with a 80 Dodge Maxivan with balding summer tires with no issue. The Mustang GT I had later was also no problem. Just go easy on the gas and buy some winter tires if it makes you feel better.

Up here they actually use RX-7s for ice racing so they can't be that bad.

hotty

my rex handles insane on ice.. i mean for low grip summer performance tires.. (hard is Bad on ice) it is incredible.. once in a blizzard, freezing rain, no prob, very little people out on the highways.. i was a little nervous, but like 78Z says, u cant drive like a dick.. just be smooth...
Daryl

Keaponlaffen

Then there's the spot welds falling apart and your wheel wells rusting out underneath you as you drive issue.....

Jeff

peejay

I loved driving my SA in the snow!

The FB (Series 3) is another matter... the LSD makes it really difficult to keep the car moving in the direction I want it to go. With an open diff, one tire would spin and burn down to pavement or otherwise moosh the car along, while the other tire would act as a rudder. With the LSD, both spin and the back end just goes everywhere.

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

that's funny ...

i thought the LSD made it easier. i guess it's just a matter of choice and opinion.

i drove from DC to NYC in the blizzard of '94 (took me damn near 6 hours to get up the Jersey turnpike) but the car only spun once.

it's like everyone's been saying. just don't juice it too hard or too suddenly. that's all.

one thing i learned from that exeperience is that when you drive a long distance in DEEEEEEP snow, you've got to stop every once in a while to get the snow out from the rear wheelwells. don't worry, the car will let you know when it's time ...

about the chains ... i've never used 'em, but i've seen what they can do to you car if they break ... and personally, i don't think they're woth the risk. get snow tires and some rear ballast ... and just take it EEEEASY!

85RX7GS

iTrader: (1)

LSD makes it harder because both wheels want to spin and you'll get no where. Better off sticking with the other differential. BTW, tire stores around here don't sell the studded type, only all season crap.

PaulFitzwarryne

Thanks for the info.

The first problem is that you are legally required to have chains fitted over certain sections of the highway, there are even fitting bays at the side of the road. Its illegal to fit studded tyres like we used on rally cars, plus where do you store them in an RX-7 when you get to normal conditions.

The second problem is the roads are steep, numerous curves and its a long drop down the mountains as there are no crash barriers. I am not talking a little snow on an urban highway, but a two lane road past the ski fields around the highest mountain in Australia. Even winter tyres would not get you over the first hill.

Its around 150 miles of snow. You pay $US10 to hire the chains, picking them up and dropping them off at service stations either end.

hotty

pay and drive..

adssoccer

its just a pain in the @$$ to get up a slick hill with a rear drive car on crap tires. believe me

alien_rx7

Here's something to think about from an email from a ProRally mailing list I belong to:

HAKKAPELIITTA is still the best snow tyre you can use, made by the NOKIAN tyre company in Finland and sold in this area by MI Garage Inc. in Marquette.

rotor-lynn

Driving my 85 GSL was a thrill in the snow, never knew where or if it was going( read sucks on hills). Snow only lasts a few days around here, it's not worth buying snow tires. I put cable chains on, loaded the back with a couple hundred lbs and didn't have any more problems even on the hills.