Winter Traction and Dunlop tires
12-18-01, 09:07 AM
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Winter Traction and Dunlop tires
2 questions:
Does anyone put sandbags/weight in their trunk when it's snowing? Where I am (north of Boston, MA) you really need snow tires for this car, and this year I put 140lbs. in the trunk.
Also, is anyone using Dunlop SP 9000 tires? What do you think of them compared to the stock Eagles?
I'm purchasing 4 in the spring. I assume the handling is not as good as the stock GS-Ds? I also assume the wet traction is way better, tred life is better, and they do handle well enough for me. Wet traction is very important to me. I hate that "out of control" scared feeling I get when hydroplaning and skippin' around in the rain.
Thanks everyone!
Does anyone put sandbags/weight in their trunk when it's snowing? Where I am (north of Boston, MA) you really need snow tires for this car, and this year I put 140lbs. in the trunk.
Also, is anyone using Dunlop SP 9000 tires? What do you think of them compared to the stock Eagles?
I'm purchasing 4 in the spring. I assume the handling is not as good as the stock GS-Ds? I also assume the wet traction is way better, tred life is better, and they do handle well enough for me. Wet traction is very important to me. I hate that "out of control" scared feeling I get when hydroplaning and skippin' around in the rain.
Thanks everyone!
12-18-01, 11:31 AM
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Hey Jeff: I'm down here in Connecticut. I have about 150 pounds of sheet lead in the trunk. Takes up zero space and lays flat. On top of that I have 3 25 LB bags of kitty litter each wrapped in a garbage bag for added protection from leaks. These lay flat too. This added weight really aids traction. Especially if you have to come to a stop on a hill which is the worst thing I have faced. I travel 80 miles per day so thise set up works swell. You can use the litter if you need some sand like substance for traction.
I run the Bridgestone BLIZZACKs on all 4 wheels in the winter (November thru March) then I was running the Dunlop SP9000's in the summer on standard 1993 Lexus 16" wheels. These were quieter than the Goodyears IMHO. Neither the Dunlop 9000's or the GS-D's are suitable snow or ice tires. I think you are asking for trouble if you plan on running them. Give the guys at TireRack a call and look at the ratings on the 9000 for snow. N/A is the rating. These two are summer tires ONLY. I can spin them both when the pavement is wet from rain, much less snow.
This coming summer I will be running the new Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole positions on new 18" wheels (8" wide in front and 10" wide in back).
I have found the key to snow driving on the SC400 is to keep the power ECT switch to normal, and be very slow and deliberate when starting off from a dead stop. Sometimes putting it in 2nd gear and starting helps as you are less apt to spin the rear wheels. TRAC ON is a must. Without the weight in the *** end the SC handles alot like a Mustang or a BMW 3 series. Just too light in the *** and too much torque in the wheels.
Take er easy. Hey you missed the New England Club Lexus meet. We all met down here in Berlin, CT and then all of us caravaned to Hoffman Lexus in Hartford. I was the only SC there!!
I run the Bridgestone BLIZZACKs on all 4 wheels in the winter (November thru March) then I was running the Dunlop SP9000's in the summer on standard 1993 Lexus 16" wheels. These were quieter than the Goodyears IMHO. Neither the Dunlop 9000's or the GS-D's are suitable snow or ice tires. I think you are asking for trouble if you plan on running them. Give the guys at TireRack a call and look at the ratings on the 9000 for snow. N/A is the rating. These two are summer tires ONLY. I can spin them both when the pavement is wet from rain, much less snow.
This coming summer I will be running the new Bridgestone Potenza S-03 Pole positions on new 18" wheels (8" wide in front and 10" wide in back).
I have found the key to snow driving on the SC400 is to keep the power ECT switch to normal, and be very slow and deliberate when starting off from a dead stop. Sometimes putting it in 2nd gear and starting helps as you are less apt to spin the rear wheels. TRAC ON is a must. Without the weight in the *** end the SC handles alot like a Mustang or a BMW 3 series. Just too light in the *** and too much torque in the wheels.
Take er easy. Hey you missed the New England Club Lexus meet. We all met down here in Berlin, CT and then all of us caravaned to Hoffman Lexus in Hartford. I was the only SC there!!
Last edited by Red93sc400; 12-18-01 at 11:37 AM.
12-20-01, 11:16 AM
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Taka, I like the Bridgestone BLIZZACKs. Got them from TireRack. The least expensive ones are what I have in 225/55-16. You do not want a wide tire for the snow as the weight per square inch of tread is less with a wide tire. The Blizz are quiet, wear well and run nice in the dry. Not hummy as you could expect.
The CT meet was nice. Got to see what all the IS300 and GS guys are doing to their cars. Lots of intake stuff. Some wings. Some kevlar body parts. Some body kits. There I was, however, the only SC there. They kind of ignored me
The CT meet was nice. Got to see what all the IS300 and GS guys are doing to their cars. Lots of intake stuff. Some wings. Some kevlar body parts. Some body kits. There I was, however, the only SC there. They kind of ignored me
12-22-01, 12:29 PM
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Dunlop SP 9000 pricing!!!
I called to get pricing from a local tire shop on the Dunlop SP 9000s, and they quoted me $234 each. I've patronized these guys for well over a decade and was going to continue to do so.
Just to check, I went to www.tirerack.com to get prices. $140 each.
So local guy for $936 and Tire Rack for $610 ($560 + $50 ship/install).
Is that insane or what? Certainly I'm missing something. Is my local shop's price "fair" and are Tire Rack's rates "cut-throat" or is my local dealer ripping me off?
Just to check, I went to www.tirerack.com to get prices. $140 each.
So local guy for $936 and Tire Rack for $610 ($560 + $50 ship/install).
Is that insane or what? Certainly I'm missing something. Is my local shop's price "fair" and are Tire Rack's rates "cut-throat" or is my local dealer ripping me off?
12-22-01, 03:42 PM
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The local guy may not have the 9000 which is a SUMMER tire in stock. For a local shop to order tires from the regional distributor in less than optimum quantities costs him plenty. I used to work for Raybestos a long time ago, so I know how this works. In the automotive aftermarket, there are seasonal pushes of merchandise. At present, the 9000 is NOT in season as it is a SUMMER tire. The regional guy is just passing on shipping and handling charges and each guy in the stream is trying to make their percentage. The distributor wants to send one FULL truckload of tires to your local guy. Not four. It costs him just about the same amount to run the truck near empty as full. You local guy pays for that so you do too.
TireRack probably has these in stock in one of their three warehouses as they probably bought MANY when the seasonal push of SUMMER tires was on.
What have you chosen to run for your winter treads BTW?
TireRack probably has these in stock in one of their three warehouses as they probably bought MANY when the seasonal push of SUMMER tires was on.
What have you chosen to run for your winter treads BTW?
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