Two new little cracks/splits in it - just like that. It was almost 20 below, I got in the car, everything was so cold that my breath formed ice crystals on the steering wheel, dash, etc. When I cranked the car, the dashboard cracked. It already had several fine cracks that followed the grain pattern, but these two new cracks were straight lines. Also, the rear seatback (vynil upholstery) was folded down, and I bumped what is normally the top, and it cracked, too (it looks like a funny-shaped tear now).

I imagine the dashboards become very brittle in the cold once they are somewhat dried from the sun. . .

Oh well... eventually I will replace those items...

 

Chase,

I got 205/55/16 tires to be mounted on 16x7 phone dials all the way around. It's better to go a little narrower in the snow and this setup works great because it's still maintaining the stock tire/wheel diameters. Also, I can rotate the tires each season.

I'm probably going to go with 0w40 Mobile 1. It's probably going to leak more, but that'll just be a way to prevent corrosion

 

SM: true true. I wasn't sure you could plant 205's all around... notice any huge differences? I was also arguing with the guy at Tirerack about the sizes and going down about an inch in width for Snows... but he stuck to 225 in the back, 205 in front.

Good point about the 0W40... you don't have to change to that in NYC do you?

 

Tony: sorry to hear about the dash... I've been pretty good about shielding the dash from direct sunlight and keeping it treated with Armour-all and Vinylex...

But if gets as cold as you describe, then crap, I will work from home! No need to bust up my baby to please the corporation...

 

Guys: what is the normal pricing to expect for mounting and balancing snow tires? I don't have a garage and will have to take it to a tire shop to do so. The local shop quoted me $125 to mount and balance... is that in the ballpark? Thanks... C

 

Winterize? Why boy, up here in good ol' Canada we are winterized year round, eh. In the bad months, we just hitch dogs up to the bumper and scream MUSH out the window as we drink our hot Maple Syrup with marshmellows floating in it.

Winterize... HA, silly Yanks...




C EH, N EH, D EH.

 

Chase,

I'm actually in metrowest Boston now...need to update my profile.

Try to get a NTB circular and clip the $11.99 (or something like that) per wheel coupon for installing, balancing, and mounting of tires. I just went to NTB with my tires and rims, but they have a 2-hr wait, so I'll go back in the morning. They're not P-car specialists, but it should be ok.

I hear 205/55/16 all around is the way to go for snow tires, but I'm sure you'll be fine with your setup.

 

Brian: yes, we are a silly bunch here in New England, EH?. A little snow and we forget how to steer... But I do feel better knowing that our make of Porsches are surviving well up north. Any tips to share from your part of the continent?

 

SM: No kidding! Great to get to know another Boston-metro based Porsche addict! So, I guess from your post that the $125 charge (without coupons) isn't way out of the ballpark? I just thought that was a bit much, but then again I'm a new Porsche owner (you'll all have to excuse my stupid questions). As for the tire set-up, I haven't ordered them yet... did you get yours locally or ordered on-line?

 

I would still like to hear from anyone who actually used chains on a 944 and if there were clearance issues. My S2 owners manual advises that chains only be mounted on the drive wheels (duh) on 205/55 R 16 tires. It goes on to say that "chains cannot be fitted to 225/50 R 16 tires....". --Roy--

 

Im just yanking your chain, here in Vancouver it doesnt snow....



Flavorless 7-11 slushee base falls from the sky and sits in the gutters for a while. Thats about it here

 

I drive mine daily in New England winters and think it is quite a capable car provided you have decent snow tires. I once got caught returning from a business trip in a few inches of snow with my summer tires (Yoko ES100) and it was a really frightening drive home from the airport (several unintended 180 and 360's on I-95)....

 

Mike: yeah, I hear you. Last weekend's 4 inches of fluff had me stuck at home. What do you use for tires in the winter?

 

Brian: Vancouver, eh? You get a break from the snow. But you live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, I think. I make that trek to Whistler every year... love your town.

 

Ya its pretty nice here. Ill prolly make a trip or two to Whistler, so im not gonna escape the snow totally.