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How are Elantras in the snow?

9K views 50 replies 26 participants last post by  mrmarkfr 
#1 ·
Without changing the original tires, how are they when driving in snow?

Thanks
 
#3 ·
With the stock Hankooks I would not drive in snow. They are low profile and not meant for snow. I run snow tires on steel rims once the temp stays below 7C.
With the snow tires on, I've not been stuck yet and last winter we had our share of storms.
 
#9 ·
Totally disagree. If you live in an area with any sort of gradient, the stock tires (Hankooks especially) are beyond dangerous. I **** near totaled Emma first month out because those tires couldn't grip a literal dusting of snow and nearly failed to stop me on a slight grade at 10 mph.

I've got the Bridgestone Blizzak WS70s on black steelies for winter time and they totally transform the car. We had quite the snow this winter and the only time she failed me was when ground clearance became an issue.
 
#8 ·
The ContiProContacts are not too bad in snow (OEM on older Alabama Elantras) but the Hankooks are nerve-wracking. Depends on which tires you have.
If you do end up considering winter tires, look for 195-65-15 on 15" steel wheels - the full set without tpms is dirt cheap.
 
#14 ·
You dont have to get a set of tires for the winter and one for the winter. People just do it because it makes the life a little easier and safer. Once you get a set of winter tires you will be glad you did. Sure it cost some money, but I would not say you should toss them in the garbage for the Hanooks. Also I mean you can run winters all year round but by next summer you will be buying another set :)
 
#21 ·
If you plan on keeping your car for more than a few years, it makes sense to buy a set of winter wheels to go with your winter tires, even if you can't change them over yourself(which saves you even more money)
It costs $50-$80 to get tires changed over from summer to winter, and you figure you need to do that 2x/yr. It's also not great on the tires to be mounted/removed multiple times, it's not great on the beads. Not to mention the damage that can be caused to the rim by mounting/dismounting 2x/yr, the adding and removing of weights, and lastly, the damage that may occur from all the corrosion from the salt used on the roads.
 
#23 ·
As for myself, I got my sales rep add in a set of Toyo Observe GSI 15" winter tires when I got my car.
just this afternoon I got another proof this was worth it. I pulled a bit too far on the side of a country road and my right front wheel "sank" in the snow covered ditch. Wasnt it for the tires but also the traction control on this car, I would have needed a tow truck to get out of there.
I've been driving through 22 northern Quebec winters and this car is the best fwd I got to drive on snow yet ( ok I did not try them all but still can compare with honda, Toyota, gm, nissan and mazda).
Now, when that back suspension will be finally tuned right, it will feel even safer.
 
#26 ·
AWD should be standard..fwd is barely minumum for bad weather, were talking winter highway driving with wind 25-40km
I've owned AWD, and it does nothing for highway stability. All it does is allow you to accelerate faster when you should be slowing down.

A FWD car with skinny snow tires is the most efficient way to claw through winter. The Elantra's light weight is a minor hindrance when traversing deep ruts, but a major plus when cornering or stopping. Just be sure to go with the base 15" rim & tire size.
 
#27 ·
This is what I go by in winter, 15" with Toyo winter tires (winter tires are required by provincial law here). It might just be me but, I find the Elantra quite easy to drive at low speed (below 50Km/h) on snow/ice. The back end WILL slide off but it's as easy to catch back as on a 4wd (I'm comparing with my brother's XV Crosstrek). I know this might very well be a mix of right tire, right size, right driver, etc. but still I like the way this car "plays" in the snow as we can get quite a lot of it here and for sure a long time!
 
#28 ·
Trust Don67 to add real insight....I always got jealous when I see cars with the awd badge. I'm surprised it adds nothing to stability ,very good to know. Now...... The weird problems that people are having in winter/summer is due to a certain company lack of quality control. Some people get a properly built car,some get cars that have glaring design flaw. That's why some people goto the dealer for weirdness and get told "the paper says this,the specs show that" but the weirdness remains..Ie: fwd car floating in winter,feeling unsafe... Properly made fwd practically eliminate this. This new discovery has put a dent in some people buying another Hyundai product no matter the price...
 
#30 ·
I've had my 2012 for a week, and including the test drive, have driven it in 3 blizzards, and at 50-60mph on slippery roads and snow covered roads. It is a little squirmy, feels lite in the back end, but putting KYB on in the summer will hopefully fix it. The car has Michelin X-Ice that have a few seasons on them, but I'm still getting grip.
I'll replace them probably next fall with new ones, but I'm not worried about driving it in the snow.
As far as AWD goes, there are many, many, many forms of AWD, some are good(and expensive), some aren't, and some are dangerous(giving people false confidence, and they end up in the ditch)
 
#37 ·
I turn mine off when climbing the hill out of my neighborhood (in the snow) otherwise all it does is slam on the brakes to try to stop the wheels from slipping and I wind up being brought to a stop and can't restart. Once I'm back on level ground I turn it back on. Contrary to what the car believes, a bit of wheel spin in snow can be a good thing as it helps keep your momentum up.
 
#39 ·
Same I live at the bottom of a hill at a dead end 1-2 inches I cant make it up the hill with traction control on. Turn it off get the wheels spinning and up she goes. 2-3 inches is a no go hill is to steep and not enough room to pick up speed.
 
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