I was pulling out of my sub division this morning following my wife in her CTS-4 (AWD) and she makes it right through the deep stuff no problem (1-1.5ft snow) and I get stuck in the Turbo. We had a good laugh but its obvious I need some tires (summer only). My SUV has the optional sport techno wheels (05' turbo) and having a hard time finding a good set of winter only tires with an aggressive tread pattern that I think will work. What tires do you recommend? Should I get separate snow wheel/tires? There definitely seems to be more tire options for 18" wheels.

Back to the part when I got stuck -- I noticed the traction control is very intrusive. Once I figured out the traction control was the problem as it wouldn't allow the wheels to spin quickly the turbo got it self out of the deep stuff (barely). I also noticed it didn't seem to matter whether I locked the diff or not, the traction was the same. Shouldn't there be a noticeable difference in traction when locking the front differential? With the diff locked I noticed the traction control was more intrusive again even with PSM off. Is that normal?

 

So far I love my Pirelli Scorpion Ice and snows. I will be back out in the deep stuff in two weeks and can give a better impression then. I was able to climb with ease really steep driveways with serious ice and compact snow last week. We have been having a record warm Winter here again in Seattle, so I have to drive a little further to get out in the snow.

Cheers,
TomF

 

I have blizzaks on 20" wheels. Work well. I did get a set of 18" turbo wheels for when the blizzaks wear out. I will get Hakkapeliitta 7's for those.
When you run summer tires on the snow it is pretty much like having racing slicks. They don't work. While you were in your turbo with the diff engaged the brain was searching for traction by applying braking to the wheels that were spinning. That is what you were hearing. The problem is that with summer tires no traction was being found. I would look on ebay or elsewhere and get a set of 18" turbo wheels and put a dedicated ice radial on it. The narrower tire you can run on the 18's will give better traction and won't get thrown around by slush, (255/55R18). The cayenne is actually really good in snow and ice if you have the right tires.

 

I have the blizzaks also on my extra set of 20" rims. Had them for a few years (previously on my Range Rover Sport). Always seem to work great in the snow and not very loud on dry pavement either which is nice.

I think the full set cost me $800 at Costco (not counting the wheels obviously).

 

Blizzacks here as well on a 2nd set of 18" wheels. Love them!

 

I have Pirelli Scorpions winters on the stock 21" GTS rims........work well in the frigid Canadian weather and snow.

 

$400 used OEM set of 18 wheel/tpms
$400 for new 18 inch snow tires. Haven't got stuck so far

 

Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow on 18" factory rims.... No complaints after 2.5 winters of use.

 

I'm on my 2nd set of Bridgestone Blizzak's in 275/45 R20 over the past 4-years.
I've been running them on Victor Equipment Zehn's (matte black).

Yes, i know... smaller tires are best for winter.
However, my 20's look wonderful AND perform amazingly.
Best of both worlds.

 

+1

 

The 20's with the blizzaks work well in everything for me except deep wet slush. The extra width causes the cayenne to get chucked around some. If most of your snow is of the colder and dryer variety or your roads get plowed quickly I wouldn't be adverse to the 20's. However if you are have to get another set of wheels you may as well go for the 18's. The 18" cayenne turbo wheels can be had for $300 or under.

 

I found a cheap set of brand new 18" wheels off of a 2014 Cayenne S that the owner upgraded to 21" wheels the day they bought it on eBay with new all season tires for $600. Then went with 18" Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice WRT snow tires in size 235/60R18 on TireRack for under $500 after the two rebates. They are great tires especially on deep snow and icy roads. I haven't slipped once. Road noise isn't bad at all and they ride very smooth.

 

I used to run Michelin Latitude Alpins on dedicated 18" wheels on my Cayenne. They performed very well. On my current SUV (Audi SQ5), I'm running Nokians and they have been great.

 

I run 19" Pirelli Scorpion Ice and Snows all year. The stock summer 21's would only last 12-15,000 miles and the 19" Scorpions have gone double that.

 

I have a second set of wheels, 20", for dedicated Nokian Hakkapeliittas. Amazing tires. Those Finns do it right! Especially sticky on ice.