Dodge Challenger in winter. Chains? Spikes?

[Jonno2009]

Hi there,

i dont feel like subbing to any car forums out there so i figured I'd try my luck here. never know, might be some car guys here!

So here is my situation, i bought a 2014 Dodge Challenger SXT plus 2 years ago in October(i know, not the best car to buy in Canada but whatever, my girlfriend really wanted it ) and we've now been through two awful Quebec winters and we can't take it anymore. The moment there's some snow on the ground the car just slides all over the place due to it's propulsion acceleration (or whatever it's called :P) and after a big snowfall and we have to get the car out of the driveway it's always such a chore!

So we thought that maybe when i call to make an appointment with the car dealership to put our winter tires maybe we could ask to put chains, or spikes? is that even doable?

The summer tires with mags are 20'' but the winter ones are 18''.

Any advice would help before i call the dealership.

Thanks!

[Billy13]

Get studded tires.

[Jonno2009]

i don't want to buy a whole set of new tires. That car is expensive enough as it is and i got my current winter tires for 'free' when i bought the car.

[Jonno2009]

ah, totally didn't see there was an Automotive section. oops

[schan1269]

So you've been ignoring Quebec tire laws for 2 years?

Good thing you've never gotten stuck requiring a tow truck.

[Tony5523]

Yeah I got a rear wheel drive car here in chicago... def a no go.. luckily I have a second car I use for the winter.

[Jonno2009]

Originally Posted by schan1269

So you've been ignoring Quebec tire laws for 2 years?

Good thing you've never gotten stuck requiring a tow truck.

What Quebec tire law?

[schan1269]

Since 2014(when the prior 2005 law was made stricter) tires with a snow flake symbol are REQUIRED during winter months.

Quebec almost went to the same rules that BC, Alberta(above certain latitude and elevations) and Northern Territory use...

You must have BOTH SETS of tires with you...to even register the car.

However Nokian has a "true 4 season tire". They are the only manufacturer that does. It is probably not made in a size to fit your Challenger though.

And yes...dedicated winter tires make a monumental difference. By the way...I am a frequenter of Subaruforester.org (have three Foresters. All three with two sets of wheels/tires) and two Powerstroke forums (my truck has a set of HT, MT and winter tires).

[schan1269]

Originally Posted by Tony5523

Yeah I got a rear wheel drive car here in chicago... def a no go.. luckily I have a second car I use for the winter.

Put winter tires on it.

My Miata, Austin-Healey Sprite and 89 Taurus SHO are all equipped with winter tires...in winter.

Three Foresters. Those three. Forgot my Astro, it has a winter set as well.

The only three things I don't drive in winter...

76 Gremlin(just restored), 78 Pacer (prepping for resto) and my Ninja 1000r(but, there are even winter motorcycle tires...but...uhm, not for me. The bike can hibernate next to the weed wacker, lawn mower and shears).

[schan1269]

Originally Posted by Jonno2009

What Quebec tire law?

Looking over the SAAQ...

Winter tires are REQUIRED on all road-going anything. Scooters, mopeds and motorcycles included. Dec 15 to March 15 is "Quebec wide". Northern areas are REQUIRED to switch to winter tires once "mean temp" is below 7°.

Winter tires can not be more than 5 years old(typical cycle on winter tires is 4 years or 18,000km, whichever occurs first) and to be replaced...

Once they are at 2/32. Or...

Once the "you must replace these tires*" tread appears(most Nokian, Michelin and Bridgestone are replaced at 4/32).

Threads like this make me think there are times "more laws are necessary to protect some people from themselves".

I've bought winter tires my entire life.

*Bridgstone actually embeds "these tires are to be disposed of" at 4/32.

[Almadacr]

Something is wrong with this picture .

[schan1269]

By the way, you should tell us what you decide on.

If you want help picking tires, chime in here or via PM.

Several US states require winter tires as well. Kansas has, arguably, the least lenient law...

You get stuck in Kansas(even if out of state)...

The ticket costs more than a "really good set of tires".
The car can be impounded for the duration of winter(if you received a ticket a 2nd time)
If impounded(officer discretion) the car is only released if winter tires are brought to the car.

The above only applies if you got stuck on 3* season tires. If you got stuck on winter tires...you simply pay the recovery fee.

*M+S designation on an "all season" tire means 1/2" of snow.

[Jonno2009]

But i DO have winter tires..

They are Firestone Winterforce 225/60R18 (whatever those means hah)

And i always have them put on before the Dec 15th date.

I'm pretty damn sure they ARE law abiding tires that won't get me a fine.

I'm not gonna buy new tires i just wanted to know if it made sense to put chains or spikes on my already purchased winter tires.

[schan1269]

I see that now...my bad.

The Winterforce is studable. However, dry performance on studs(any tire with studs) is scary.

Chains are the best bet...as they can be put on/removed in 10 minutes.

Do you know the tread depth? Did you buy them new?

The way your original thread reads, if you miss the 18" winter, you wanted to chain/stud an all season tire. However...a different tire altogether(like a Bridgestone LM or even a Mich X-ice) might be more to your liking.

I don't have the same tires on everything. I have the Blizzak LM22 on the Miata. I just bought some Blizzak WS80 for one of the Subaru(the one I mostly drive). The Subaru my girlfriend drives and the F250 use the General Altimax Arctic.

The GAA works wonders in fresh slush. She drives towards lake Michigan daily...during rush hour.

The Blizzak WS80 trades fresh slush for better ice performance. I work 2:00 till 10:30pm. Sometimes till 12:30. I work away from the lake...

We don't have the same requirements.

Put it this way...

A tire with good fresh snow/slush performance gives up ice performance. An ice tire has problems with fresh snow. There is no winter tire capable of both...equally.

Yet...either is miles better than an all season.

[Almadacr]

1 - Chains are not hallowed in Montreal
2 - studs can't be put in tires that are used even if they only have 100km

[schan1269]

Originally Posted by Almadacr

1 - Chains are not hallowed in Montreal
2 - studs can't be put in tires that are used even if they only have 100km

Hopefully he doesn't live in Montreal.

Over at SFO, the favorite "Quebec and east" tire are ice tires. Having family in Buffalo, asked there once and they said if you have a lenient employer that allows attendance based on plowed roads...you can get away with a performance winter(which affords the "closest to dry" handing of winter breeds).

Otherwise...ice tires(such as Mich X-ice).