Topic: UNSAFE ICEBEAR W300 ON FORD FOCUS ZX3

[ambient]

Just a WARNING for anyone looking at these tires for a focus zx3, THEY ARE NOT A SAFE COMBINATION! The factory tires handled better in winter conditions than the icebear w300 do. I can not drive over 50 km/h with out the car starting to drift and loose control.
For reference i am running 205/50 r16 hankook icebear w300

[multipath]

Are you running a full set of 4 or just 2 on the drive wheels?

[Minou]

No surprise there, with a set of 205/50-16 on a Focus.  I suppose that you went for the stock size in order to install them on your factory alloy wheels?

For approximately the same amount of $$, a minus 1 selection of 195/60-15 or 185/65-15 would have included a set of steel rims and would have been a far better choice for winter applications.

[oversteer]

No way.  Maintaining stock size is not even remotely a reason for the car to be unstable, especially more unstable than it was with the stock tires.

My guess is that the alignment is out of spec, or as Multipath suggested there are only two W300s on the car.

[laj]

Wow.  I have 4 of these on my PT Cruiser and it handles very well on ice, deep loose snow, and hard packed rutted snow.  I've driven them at -37 and +5.  The only complaint I have, if you can call it that, is that they are quite loud at speeds 92-99 kph.  Below and above that they aren't very loud just that particular speed range.  I have them installed on steelies from TT.205 55 16's brand new this winter.
Lloyd

[drak]

My experience is the opposite, they are like glue on snow and ice, best snow tire I have used.

Drak

[RayT]

That seems unlikely. Are you running only two tires. Check your alignment.

[ambient]

I have all 4 matching tires, and as for Minou's comment about the factory tire, I did not have a choice! I called 5 tire places here, and even call the ford dealer and at the time even the dealer did not have any rims that were safe to use on this car.  The dealer had said, that the roters were upsized on that model and they would not even sell me a smaller rim due to the danger of tire rub.   I have the car booked in to get checked out Friday at the dealership.  I had the manager drive it last night and he felt how loose the car was, he just suggested add about 4 sand bags in the back and see if that helps. I just can't believe im the only one having this issue with a zx3 unless something is broken or bent on my car.

[laj]

Can they have been installed incorrectly on the rims? Don't these tires have to be installed to rotate in only one direction?  Something sure doesn't sound right.  Are they okay on dry roads or are they "squirrely" all the time? Very curious!

[ambient]

"Can they have been installed incorrectly on the rims? Don't these tires have to be installed to rotate in only one direction? Something sure doesn't sound right. Are they okay on dry roads or are they "squirrely" all the time? Very curious!"

I have checked to make sure they were installed right, as they have an outside edge and inside edge.  also they are "squirrely" pretty much all the time, even changing lanes on dry pavement, well Calgary is never really clear roads as we always have a layer of gravel on the roads.

[multipath]

I wonder if it might be an inflation issue, but from the sounds of it, I'm guessing you probably already checked that out.  Still, we all overlook the obvious at some point or another.

Something isn't right that caused this tire to be that bad.  I've heard good things about the W300s (but never tried them first hand myself).  Keep us posted what they find about the car and/or tires.

[laj]

Yes please keep us posted on what you find.  If ever you are in Winnipeg area give me a shout.  You can try the PT with these tires on it.

[brian]

Yes, check the inflation pressure... maybe it's way too high or something.  Good luck.

[chaser]

Also, were the tires properly balanced when mounted?

[ambient]

Okay tire pressure now set to 34 on all tires, and yes tires have been balanced.  The lower pressure did make a bit of a difference, but still not stable over 60 km/h

[bob]

If you are in Calgary right now (as I am) you will probably be having a helluva time on any kind of a tire! Holy Moly! It is definitely winter!!!

[Mdxtasy]

I'm looking forward to shovelling this stuff tonight.  It's going to be sloppy.  I heard Hwy 2 was closed from Calgary to Bowden.  Nasty.

[mrthompson]

Are you talkin' to me?

[bj_m]

i just registered here to reply to this thread...

I have W300's on a 2005 Ford Focus ZX4 ST and live in the barrie/orillia area of ontario and drive this car pretty well daily (at odd hours) to toronto and  very often to places like sudbury and ottawa and north bay and even farther north ..  in winter and summer (75,000km+ a year min.) ..

Now granted that I do have traction control - but i also have 205/16/50's installed (on stock rims) and I found these tires to be awesome in snow and ice (except for really really deep snow - but even then I dont stop) ..   I also keep about 80lbs rock salt in the trunk along with other emergency and communications equipment.

I also admittly drive the snot out of this car - 160km+ on the 400's would not be out of the question in summer at times (w/ different tires) -- With the W300's, 140km/h+ is not unusual.  

I find them very stable and for the most part very predictable ..  They are more squirlly than the summer tires i use (understandable).  They will grab at times and want to do a shift in lane position some times on rutted or grooved roads -- but controllable - a good grip on the wheel and attention is required for sure (i dont find them tiring to drive though and I feel like I have control). They are also sensitive to pressure - then again I find many tires are.. Even a 1 or 2LBs diff. will make a diff. in handling. They have a very noticeable bulge at the pressures I run them at. They are much more squirlly at high road  temps.  I keep them 3PSI over recommended (by ford)  F&R - measured warm .. They are also awesome in the rain .. even very deep standing water.

When they were very new - about 200km on them - I did have one time where i swear they just did a 3' lane change on their own that did surprise me - i think it was a combination of  a strong gust and road surface - i was going maybe about 130km/h), I have not ever seen since that happen to that degree.    

I also can drive a crown vic or other cars or suvs  if i wish -- but i prefer the Focus ST..

I have myself also a SUV mid sized - with KW11's on it -- I am not real happy with those - I would not buy them again, not suitable for the really deep crap I go through - The tires I did want were  all out then .. They are great though on the highway in the dry  and light stuff and very quite also .. I did have before KW11 on a van - but I never got a chance to try them in snow/ice before i got rid of it ..


Anyway - I was surprised to see this thread about a focus and w300's and not liking them and thought i would offer a diff. opinion ..

(Message edited by bj_m on January 07, 2005)

[ambient]

Just a quick update. I just got the car back from the dealer and they said they did a rear toe out adjustment to the car and an alignment. I have yet to fully test the car out but from the quick drive back from the dealer it did seem more stable. Mind you only a 4 minute drive back to the office.  I will test it really well tonight and this weekend.  As suggested by the post above I will add extra weight to the back of the car and see if that helps as well.  

Thanks Bj_m for you post! "When they were very new - about 200km on them - I did have one time where i swear they just did a 3' lane change on their own that did surprise me "  this is exactly what im feeling almost all the time thou!

I just hope its fixed now.
Ill post on MOnday with my findings