451 in real snow

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Permalink Reply by mr bad example on April 15, 2008 at 10:54pm

they recommend snow tires in canada. i was fortunate enough to live in an area where they plow very well, so on my daily commute i only have 1/2 mile of less than ideal streets, i got my smart last january. i don't think you'll make it through 12" of snow, the smart belly pan has a 6" ground clearance. there is a guy in canada selling sets of snow tires on smart steel wheels, he sells the 450's for like $700 and the 451's for a bit over $1000, i think the 450's would work fine on the 451.

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Permalink Reply by midnight_crossing on April 16, 2008 at 6:42am

After the kind of winter we've had in Toronto -- I'm spending the $1K on snow tires for the winter for sure.... luckily though, I won't have to think about that until closer to November/December. If you can believe, I still have some patches of snow in my yard! :)

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Permalink Reply by mark vuko on April 16, 2008 at 7:02am

I agree with Dee, I am getting snow tires for our Smart car also. Bridgestone sells a tire for the Smart car.

http://www.tirerack.com/winter/bridgestone/blizzak.jsp

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Permalink Reply by Mitch Goldflies on April 17, 2008 at 2:35pm

Thanks,
Mitch

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Permalink Reply by Peter Bartlett on April 17, 2008 at 1:06pm

I've been driving my smart since 1/31/2008 and have driven in several snow storms-- I live in Kankakee county just south of Chicago-- You won't need snow tires! With the traction control feature on this car it drives great. Just slow down and ease up on the gas and it will handle just fine. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP) has a warning lamp that lites up when it is being applied. It automaticly eases up on the gas and applies brakes to whatever wheel needs it. It is great!!! It also has antilock brakes so it great for stopping AND going.
I grew up in Syracuse NY where they get about 130 inches of snow a year on the average so my experience sure helps me out here.
You have made a great joice in this car --- hope you get it soon.

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Permalink Reply by SATO on April 17, 2008 at 1:09pm

Hey peter,
would 130 inches of snow not cover the whole smart car!... :-)

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Permalink Reply by Mitch Goldflies on April 17, 2008 at 2:36pm

Thanks,
Mitch

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Permalink Reply by KeithR on September 29, 2008 at 10:00pm

For what it's worth Frisby Tire in Ottawa actually stocks the tires and steel rims for the 2008 Passion. Quite a bit cheaper than the dealer. The only tires which fit the front, apparently, are Continentals. That's the same brand the all-seasons were. Apparently the company is in Germany. It was around $1000 all in (labour, balancing, installation and taxes). I'm not endorsing but given the trouble I had finding the size for the front I figured I'd pass it along. Unfortunately Frisby is only in the Ottawa area but if you have trouble maybe you can get them ordered.

And for those who doubt...it's _winter_ tires, not snow tires. There's a difference. Winter tires stay pliable at cold temperatures. Here in Ottawa when it gets to -30 degrees Celsius it's the black ice I'm more worried about. Driving on frozen tires is bad for that. Been there. It's not all about the snow.

Hope it helps someone.

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Permalink Reply by jackb on September 30, 2008 at 3:13pm

Pirelli sells (in the US...don't know about Canada) a winter tire that fits the front end. Their Winter 190 SnowControl is available in both 155/60/15 and 175/55/15 sizes.

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Permalink Reply by Mr. X on September 30, 2008 at 7:40pm

Had Snow ...did travel

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Permalink Reply by canon1753 on September 30, 2008 at 10:11pm

I just got Blizzaks in 145/65/15 front and 175/55/15 rears. From Tire Rack. Bought steelies/TMPS with the car. (have a passion). Pondering baby moon hubcaps for the steelies for a beetle/ early Porsche 356 mojo.

BTW- Just about nothing will get through 12inches of unplowed snow..... I just moved to a likelier snowier and blowier area in VT, up by Canada. I'll report in every so often on the adventures in snow travel by smart.

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