tmcdon00

I'm new to the forum and just had my first snow drive in a 2001 A8 with 245-18 tires. Don't know if it's me or the ABS, but it was the worst handeling car I have ever driven in the snow. Throttle tip it may exacerbate the problem, but it is scary especially on packed snow. The car goes and goes and goes!!!!Anyone have same type experience?

JimR

If that's a summer performance tire you're running, keep the thing off the road, you're a danger to the travelling public and yourself. And from your description, it seems likely.

LenVOS8

My First snow last year with my S8 with stock (summer) tires was also a nightmare. THe next week I had Dunlop Winter Sport M3's on 245-45-18 and ever since snow is no problem.

I have a very steep driveway and it climbs up like a snowcat up a ski slope.

Summer rubber compounds get hard like a rock in this weather and have no traction at all.

tmcdon00

no--These are Conti's

tmcdon00

What winter tire do you suggest?

JimR

I'm down south - a Winter tire is a Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season.

If you're in snow country, you should do a set of real snow tires, and I'm not your guy for recommendations.

And BTW, Conti makes a summer performance tire in that size. That might be what you have - check which model Conti you have.

tmcdon00

Live in southern Michigan so snow is a threat, but usually the roads are cleared within 12 hours. The tires are Conti Sport Contact's-- I guess they are summer tires.

JimR

Those things are hard as hockey pucks right now, and offer a comparable amount of traction.

See what Paul or some of the other Chicagoland guys are running. I have relatives just north of Toledo, so I know what you mean. If you're in town, snow clearance is usually really good.

There have been some tire/wheel combo deals from TireRack, you might look into those, once you get some recommendations.

JimR

Just summarizing to save you from reading the whole thread if you don't want to.

He's in southern MI on summer ContiSports, and we need to get him on some new tires before we lose a new A8 forum member. ;-)

tmcdon00

Thanks for the tip.. I'll check Tire Rack. My wife is deathly afraid to drive the car in the snow, so I'll check the Dunlop Winter Sports.
I drove it after she complained and thought she may have overstated it a bit, but she was right. No traction---no breaking----no confidence!!