Snow tyres
Dec 6th 2006, 2:09 pm
#46
Slightly Canadian
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: St. John's, Newfoundland
Posts: 10,129
Re: Snow tyres
Originally Posted by dbd33
I have a question about AWD 4WD. The Element has it but no knob or light to activate it. The handing and steering are very soggy and imprecise so it's hard to tell what's going on when driving but I crawled underneath and it does have lots of gubbins. It gets about 15mpg. Does this mean that it has permanent 4WD?
Also, a mate has a Cherokee he brought back from Boston. He paid $500 for it there and would take the same here. I'm wondering if we shouldn't buy that and use it instead of the Honda so as to economise. Can one expect to get better than 15mpg (imperial gallon) from an old Cherokee?
Also, a mate has a Cherokee he brought back from Boston. He paid $500 for it there and would take the same here. I'm wondering if we shouldn't buy that and use it instead of the Honda so as to economise. Can one expect to get better than 15mpg (imperial gallon) from an old Cherokee?
It's not permanent 4x4 either, for that you need a Subaru f'r example. I imagine a Cherokee will give 15mpgish too. The only advantage you will have over the Element will be that you'll be able to drive around in it without people questioning your sexual orientation.
Dec 6th 2006, 2:12 pm
#47
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: Snow tyres
Originally Posted by dbd33
I didn't expect anything of the Element. I'd never been in a Honda before but had a vague idea that they were reliable (it is) but dull (it is). I just didn't think it would use so much petrol (despite umpteen trips to the dealer). I think we might put it on blocks and try the Jeep, it'll likely be cheaper and may well be more fun.
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2001c...f.jsp?id=22510
If the dealer cant find anything, what about taking it up with Honda Canada?
Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat
I imagine a Cherokee will give 15mpgish too. The only advantage you will have over the Element will be that you'll be able to drive around in it without people questioning your sexual orientation.
Last edited by iaink; Dec 6th 2006 at 2:15 pm.
Dec 6th 2006, 2:20 pm
#48
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Snow tyres
Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat
http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/difference_4WD_awd.html gives some background on 4x4/AWD etc. Assuming your Element has 'Realtime 4WD' as per the CRV it should be 2WD most of the time. If you are only getting 15mpg out of it then something is badly wrong. Do you have the handbrake on perhaps? It's not permanent 4x4 either, for that you need a Subaru f'r example.
I imagine a Cherokee will give 15mpgish too. The only advantage you will have over the Element will be that you'll be able to drive around in it without people questioning your sexual orientation.
It's not permanent 4x4 either, for that you need a Subaru f'r example. I imagine a Cherokee will give 15mpgish too. The only advantage you will have over the Element will be that you'll be able to drive around in it without people questioning your sexual orientation.
I never use handbrakes, they just freeze in the on position.
The Honda people have looked at the car repeatedly. They've replaced the gas lines twice (due to them breaking, not directly because of the fuel consumption and the tank once when it sprang a leak. The consumption was much worse while the tank was leaking and the gas lines dangling. They've also replaced the windshield though now it's broken again) they say the car is up to spec. As I say, I don't know Hondas and I didn't buy this one. If it was a Ford I'd be livid but, tbh, I think it's wrong to buy Japanese anyway and am not terribly upset that it's junk.
Dec 6th 2006, 2:24 pm
#49
Assimilated Pauper
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Snow tyres
Originally Posted by iaink
If the dealer cant find anything, what about taking it up with Honda Canada?
Dec 6th 2006, 4:47 pm
#50
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 1,664
Re: Snow tyres
Originally Posted by Sean Boxer
Yeah yeah, well done on driving so fast.
Listen mate, I drive a bleeding fire truck so I think I'm more in tune than you about driving fast in these conditions.
Frankly, the sooner you lot stop driving like idiots, the longer it will be before I have to scrape you, or the unfortunate people you hit, up off the road. . . and believe me, I know what I'm talking about.
Listen mate, I drive a bleeding fire truck so I think I'm more in tune than you about driving fast in these conditions.
Frankly, the sooner you lot stop driving like idiots, the longer it will be before I have to scrape you, or the unfortunate people you hit, up off the road. . . and believe me, I know what I'm talking about.
Dec 6th 2006, 4:49 pm
#51
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 1,664
Re: Snow tyres
Originally Posted by Atlantic Xpat
Erm, Prehaps you should try putting it into 4WD when driving in snow?
Dec 12th 2006, 5:44 pm
#52
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 70
Re: Snow tyres
I put these tires (tyres) on to combat the snow:-
..and my, they work a treat.
Little-B.
..and my, they work a treat.
Little-B.
Dec 12th 2006, 5:49 pm
#53
Slightly Canadian
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: St. John's, Newfoundland
Posts: 10,129
Re: Snow tyres
Originally Posted by little-beauty
I put these tires (tyres) on to combat the snow:-
..and my, they work a treat.
Little-B.
..and my, they work a treat.
Little-B.
Dec 12th 2006, 5:52 pm
#54
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: Snow tyres
That is not a snow tire, its an off road mud and dirt tire. It will be OK in warmish snow cos of the aggressive tread, but once it gets cold its the wrong sort of rubber to grip well and the aggressive tread wont do you much good trying to stop in a hurry.
If it doesn't have this symbol, its not a snow tire
Snow tires generally have lots of tiny serrations or "sipes" in them to provide grip on ice.
If it doesn't have this symbol, its not a snow tire
Snow tires generally have lots of tiny serrations or "sipes" in them to provide grip on ice.
Last edited by iaink; Dec 12th 2006 at 5:56 pm.
Dec 12th 2006, 6:31 pm
#55
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 70
Re: Snow tyres
...you're quite right, it's not a snow tire.
It's a Superior Traction Tire by Cooper.
They're fitted to a Ford Expedition and the results have been very pleasing in wet snow (-2 to 2) and recent colder conditions (-17 to -5).
Stopping hasn't been a problem - short and predictable.
This is in Simcoe County.
The anticipated noise (drone) due to tread design has been minimal too.
Little-B.
It's a Superior Traction Tire by Cooper.
They're fitted to a Ford Expedition and the results have been very pleasing in wet snow (-2 to 2) and recent colder conditions (-17 to -5).
Stopping hasn't been a problem - short and predictable.
This is in Simcoe County.
The anticipated noise (drone) due to tread design has been minimal too.
Little-B.
Dec 12th 2006, 6:35 pm
#56
Slightly Canadian
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: St. John's, Newfoundland
Posts: 10,129
Re: Snow tyres
Originally Posted by little-beauty
...you're quite right, it's not a snow tire.
It's a Superior Traction Tire by Cooper.
They're fitted to a Ford Expedition and the results have been very pleasing in wet snow (-2 to 2) and recent colder conditions (-17 to -5).
Stopping hasn't been a problem - short and predictable.
This is in Simcoe County.
The anticipated noise (drone) due to tread design has been minimal too.
Little-B.
It's a Superior Traction Tire by Cooper.
They're fitted to a Ford Expedition and the results have been very pleasing in wet snow (-2 to 2) and recent colder conditions (-17 to -5).
Stopping hasn't been a problem - short and predictable.
This is in Simcoe County.
The anticipated noise (drone) due to tread design has been minimal too.
Little-B.
Around here all the hard core 4x4'ers who are running super mud buggerers in the summer change to smaller specialist winter tires in the winter.
Jun 28th 2007, 9:00 pm
#57
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Location: Fall River, NS
Posts: 478
Re: Snow tyres
On a recent trip to NS I was told that if you have a 4x4 there is no need for snow tyres. Is this true ?
Jun 29th 2007, 7:11 pm
#59
Immigration Consultant
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,144
Re: Snow tyres
I would say no - the reason you need snow tires (or tyres if you prefer) is that in the extreme cold regular tires become extremely hard. If your tires were made out of hard plastic instead of rubber can you imagine how slippery they would be on snow and ice? thats exactly the problem. Winter tires are made out of a special much softer compound of rubber so they are still rubbery in -20. That gives extra grip. However, because they are soft, don't use them in the summer as you will wear them down in no time - get your summer tires put back on.
Jun 30th 2007, 3:16 am
#60
Dismember
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 0
Re: Snow tyres
No - the snow here is often wet and can be very difficult to drive on. We have a Dodge Caravan and a Jeep TJ, we went through our first winter here with all weather tires on the van and managed okay. We were advised to get winter tires this year and it stuck to the road like glue, so much so it was better than the TJ (on new all season tires - TJ was obviously more fun in the snow though). On the other hand we've only had a handful of big falls in each in the last two year...
Talking of winter in June? I can't sleep because my bleeding hay fever has just gone into over drive and I'd love it to be winter again...
Talking of winter in June? I can't sleep because my bleeding hay fever has just gone into over drive and I'd love it to be winter again...
I would say no - the reason you need snow tires (or tyres if you prefer) is that in the extreme cold regular tires become extremely hard. If your tires were made out of hard plastic instead of rubber can you imagine how slippery they would be on snow and ice? thats exactly the problem. Winter tires are made out of a special much softer compound of rubber so they are still rubbery in -20. That gives extra grip. However, because they are soft, don't use them in the summer as you will wear them down in no time - get your summer tires put back on.