CD Article: Giant winter traction test

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
Traction 2006:

CanadianDriver brought together 15 current model vehicles and ran them through two 1.2-kilometre tracks, a slalom course, and an attached emergency braking area to see how they'd fare in the icy conditions that typify a Canadian winter.  Results varied, but one factor emerged as the most important traction enhancer.       More...

[ovr50]

Glad to see the value of 4 winter tires proven once again; and also pleased to see the Highlander equiped with winters, as mine is, do so well, second overall of all vehicles, only bested by the MBenz. 

[initial_D]

Our speeds for these exercises were maximum 40 km/h for the slalom and braking...

Of all the tests and exercises we conducted during Traction 2006, vehicles with winter tires stopped one-to-two car lengths before vehicles with all-season tires...


Geez, braking from 40Km/h makes that much difference with winter boots. Unbelievable!

[AVToller]

I was interested to see how pathetic the smart fortwo was. Hardly the ideal car for our conditions! Spinning on its axis is NOT considered to be the best plan. Fun though! 

[tpl]

Initial. I've seen clips of snow tire tests done with Volvos on frozen lakes and in those done at much higher speeds the difference is frightening....like 10 cars lengths difference at 100km/h.   And those clips were at least one generation of winter tires ago if not two.

[wing]

The Mercedes was amazing.  The Pirelli 210 tires it was sporting were also one of the best tires available for ice and snow traction.

The Merc would brake individual wheels as you entered a corner to avoid under or oversteer.  Although the system was pretty noisy you knew it was working as it click clanked away.

[Snowman]

Great report, but I do have a concern. Driving on cold, dry, and hard packed snow is not all that difficult and this is not a true reflection of actual winter driving conditions for the majority of commuters.

I would like to see a test of winter and all-season tires on wet, slushy, icy roads which better reflect commuting during a winter day.

[wing]

Snowy, the test was not done on hard packed snow, it was done on bare ice

[runwhatyabrung]

I have worked as a volunteer at the Motorsports Club of Ottawa's winter driving schoolls and you can instantly spot cars running on no seasons and cars running on winter tires. Quite a few students have gone to purchase winter tires after their classes once they see the difference. Even my 4 year old Artic Alpin's (it's their last winter) are better than my 6 month old 4 seasons.

[Snowman]

Snowy, the test was not done on hard packed snow, it was done on bare ice

Okay, I would still like to see a test of winter and all-season tires on wet, slushy, icy roads. 

[wing]

Unfortunately with Ontario's clean road policy the only way would be to go out during a snow storm and hope to find some bad roads.  Especially here in Ottawa the plows are out salting like mad and plowing to keep the roads clean.

[Snowman]

Unfortunately with Ontario's clean road policy the only way would be to go out during a snow storm and hope to find some bad roads.  Especially here in Ottawa the plows are out salting like mad and plowing to keep the roads clean.

I would just use you “test” track and then go approach the MTO to have one of their professionals come and prepare the site for you. I’m sure they would be glad to help out.

[wing]

Ah you over estimate our clout

[MKII]

Well done test.

The writer seemed disappointed(he wrote surprised) that the Ford 500 did so well. This car seems to have a hard time coming into favour with car critics.

[Snowman]

Well done test.

The writer seemed disappointed(he wrote surprised) that the Ford 500 did so well. This car seems to have a hard time coming into favour with car critics.

Some times preconceived perceptions are hard to erase.

[wing]

It was surprising such a large car handled so well, it felt light and nimble on the track when i drove it, I originally was unaware it was the AWD version so having the tail come out on me was somewhat surprising the first lap but after realizing it was AWD I was having some fun!

[UmroAyyar]

I am getting winter tires next season  I need to drive outta town.

[Bullet Blue]

I was interested to see how pathetic the smart fortwo was. Hardly the ideal car for our conditions! Spinning on its axis is NOT considered to be the best plan. Fun though! 

No kidding! I was expecting a bad result for it too. A buddy of mine has a smart fortwo (it's his father's) and he told me how bad it was. I didn't doubt it, but once we got a good amount of snow on the road, we made our way to an empty parking lot to prove it. Simply Horrible. In a way, I now kinda understand why they kept their own explorer. Maybe they anticipated that. One good thing about the Smart, it's really easy to push when it gets stuck! 

[chrischasescars]

Well done test.

The writer seemed disappointed(he wrote surprised) that the Ford 500 did so well. This car seems to have a hard time coming into favour with car critics.

It's safe to say we were all very impressed by the Five Hundred's performance. It felt very confident and safe - exactly the kind of characteristics I think most full-size sedan buyers would look for. I love how it looks too.

OTOH, the Charger, while it was a ton of fun on dry roads, absolutely stank on slick surfaces.

[safristi]

WELL DONE...it's hard to "cross relate" DATA from so many variables...but it does show the BEST BUY is 4
 wheel DRIVE,SNOW TYRES and a Dodge Caliber...fer yer $$$'s...(Caveat ..out of the TESTED vehicles on a given day & conditions).........we will still be argueing this in 2020
 when I will be drivin' a Cayman inna Caymans with MY Yacht on  STAND_BY and super MODELS torquing MY ....DICK'ensian ..It IS the BEST of TIMES and ITS GETTIN" BETTER.....scenario.....