Chase72

Tony: Thanks again. I just spoke with the guys from Tirerack.com. They suggested the Blizzak-LM-22's as well. These are actually H rated (not that I'll be going that fast anyway). Gonna order those today, as we got 4 inches of snow last Friday (can't believe we're seeing the white stuff before Thanksgiving). Tirerack is sold out of M3's for the season... so no dice for our BMW's tires... Boston roads stink to begin with (it's pothole city). Most roads are plowed within a day of a huge dumping, but you never can tell in New England. I also plan to go skiing, so the Blizzaks will come in handy in the Mountains, I suppose.

Will take your advice on skipping 2nd gear--it was pretty jittery in 2nd the other morning. Do you find that your car is taking a long time to warm up to temp in the cold? My thermo is only reading a little bit over the quarter bar, even after 20 minutes of driving. I get great heat (after 3 minutes), but concerned that the temp isn't rising to the middle. is this normal? Coolant is new/changed as of October of this year (and no leaks).

Lastly, battery is great (Interstate). Cranking in the morning cold temps is ok (a little rough when it's below 30 degrees F), though I was curious if you had experience (or needed) a trickle charger to help the battery out on extra cold mornings...

thanks again... Chase

Mighty Shilling

naw, no trickle charger needed. it'll pull thru

Chase72

Geoff/Master Chief: sounds good. You drive your 924 through the winter in Denver? How's the cranking been on cold mornings?

josephsc

Ahh... Boston winters -- I kinda miss it, actually.

BTW, do take the car for a wash on occasion and make sure you get the underside done -- I'm still replacing salt-crusted parts from under my car...

sm

Really? Then I'm glad I made the move last Friday...the M3s just arrived from TireRack The reason I chose the M3s is that they perform well in the snow AND on dry pavement and are an improvement on the M2s, which are great tires to begin with.

I usually stay in 1st up to 3,000 RPMs and then shift to 3rd gear. I find that this creates a perfect rev-match and gives the 2nd gear synchros a break.

sm

A buddy of mine had trouble getting his car started last winter in 0 degree weather not because he didn't have enough CCA, but because the oil in the engine thickened up so much! So I think you're fine.

Chase72

SM: Yeah, they were out of the M3's when I called about 30 minutes ago... So I got the Blizzaks instead.

As for engine oil... hmm... I believe I am using Mobile 1, 15W40. To thick you think?

Chase72

Joseph: we got 4 inches of white stuff last weekend... there is salt everywhere. Yup, going to get it washed tomorrow. As for salt & rust, aren't the 944's undersides protected? What parts were affected on your car?

Tony K

Chase - check the chart in the owner's manual for which oil to use in the temperature range you expect. In Ohio, I go from Mobil 15w50 to 10w30 when the snow comes. Last winter I had to start the car in NE Ohio at almost 20 below, and even the 10w30 synthetic was hard to turn. If you don't step on the clutch when starting, then you are turning the transaxle, too, when you start it, and cold gear oil will really drag it.

Oh, BTW, speaking of -20F, when it's that cold, DON'T TOUCH THE DASHBOARD!

Cheers,

josephsc

Mostly the machineries like nuts and bolts -- engine blocks and all other critical components are fine. Let's see: PS and accessory belt tensioners, all bolts on t-belt cover, connectors on a PS rack (was rebuilt recently), headlight connector rod, other random screws and bolts. Nothing critical, but annoying...

Roy LaZelle

Does anyone have any experience with chains on a 944 (as in emergency). As I recall my owners manual for my 944-S2 recommends 205/55 tires all the way around. --Roy--

Chase72

Roy: no experience with Chains, but did recall that you only put chains on the drive wheels only. As for Snows, the recommended are 205/55/16 fronts, 225/50/16 rear. But you raise a good question in that I have no idea what chains Porsche would recommend...

Chase72

Tony: So what happened to your dashboard? Ai Carumba... don't cross the streams!

As for temps, I might have to go to the 10W40 then... it's not that cold yet, but come January, it feels like Hell has frozen over here...

Chase

951Porschiste

Chase,
I live in Montreal, I have the Pirelli's on my Passat and Michelin Alpin Sport on the wife's Audi Allroad.
The new Pirelli 210's are supposed to be much better than the those sold in previous years. I had the older for four winters and they were basically good for the first 3. then they lost almost all grip during the fourth winter. Apparently, Pirelli has adressed this problem with the new 210's.

Regards

Chase72

Andre: thanks so much for the update! I was scanning the reviews at Tirerack.com, and there were no 944 owner comments for the Pirelli 210's. Today, the phone rep from Tirerack was pushing me to go for the Blizzak-LM22's. Granted, the LM-22's are also good tires, but he pushed really hard, telling me the Pirellis were "old technology." After spending more time on Tirerack's website, I noticed that they have been an exclusive dealer for Bridgestone since the mid-90's... that's a long business relationship. No wonder they push hard... I am going for the Pirelli 210s as i owned a pair a few winters back for my BMW E30, and they were great... thanks again... Chase