kid5240

iTrader: (6)

Hi, you all. I just received my winter setup that I purchased from a forum member. However, I notice a good amount of sands and stones stuck on the surface of the tires. Is it normal that winter tires pick up alot of stones or just because of the previous owner hates to drive on regular pavement road. Is it safe to pick out those stones??

Thank, Hau

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...Picture020.jpg

_NIZMO_

iTrader: (5)

u cant be serious, this isn't the antenna guy is it.

Spike100

Winter (snow) tires are made using very soft compounds, and they inherently “pickup” road debris (small stones, sand particles, etc.). The tread design is also a factor. I ran Blizzaks until this year when I went with Dunlop snow tires. Looking at the two tires, I believe that Blizzaks clear debris better than the Dunlops. I think it has to do with the tread design. I like the way the Dunlop snows drive better than the Blizzaks, but the Blizzaks self-clear a little better.

Also… to protect my Z’s paint, I mounted more narrow tires on 17” wheels with an offset that keeps the tread well within the fenders. It isn’t pretty, but the setup prevents damage to my car’s paint.

--Spike

adrenaline_rush

Just leave the stones and sand - you'll spend hours picking them all out, only to realize that they will be picked up when you drive again. Snow tires have lots of sipes so they'll always pick up debris.

badkarma85

iTrader: (1)

Yes.

Waste of time though.

davidv

iTrader: (2)

I would remove the stones, count them, them put them in a jar with a label.

Spike100

It took me awhile to "get it,", but I finally realized your great humor (that borders upon sarcasm).

EDIT: And sarcasm is perfectly fine when answering a question like the OP presents. Your answer is the best here.

--Spike