traction: Audi vs Subaru

[jogosub]

I agree but how does TireRack tests winter tires traction? On an ice rink inside a building? How do you know that is, what they do? Also, haven't seen any "skinny" tires being offered by them. Everybody knows that skinny tires have better traction than wide tires on ice/snow because you get more weight per square inch with those... They may look funny but they work well. Americans are obcessed with wide tires just for the "looks"....but those are not very good in snow/ice conditions....

[DrCloud]

Originally Posted by jogosub

Everybody knows that skinny tires have better traction than wide tires on ice/snow because you get more weight per square inch with those.

Um...this is true only if the skinny tires are pressurized more. To first order, the weight of the car and the tire pressure together determine the area(s) of the contact patch(es). What's different between narrow and wide tires is the aspect ratio of the contact patch. HPH

[jogosub]

well yeah ... if you want to be really technical about it!

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by bheinen74

willing to entertain comments on this.
Audi A6 quattro vs. Subaru Outback on ice 2 - YouTube

Tire test not a car test

[jogosub]

Originally Posted by subiesailor

Tire test not a car test

Exactly!

[statueim]

Originally Posted by jogosub

I agree but how does TireRack tests winter tires traction? On an ice rink inside a building? How do you know that is, what they do? Also, haven't seen any "skinny" tires being offered by them.

TireRack often publishes their results including videos with portions of the testing. The most recent winter tire test is here (controlled conditions on an ice rink):
Testing the Newest Studless Ice & Snow Winter Tires

Also, I am running slightly narrower tires than stock (215/70/16) that I purchased from TireRack. Not that I have proof that 1cm of section width (not tread width) is going to make a noticeable difference, but the physics makes sense and the tires and extra set of rims were cheaper anyways. What would you define as a "skinny tire" that would roughly suit the default Outback tire diameter that someone sells (or manufactures, even)?

[Se7enLC]

I was expecting/hoping to see both of their back bumper ripping off completely :-P

[scoobydoo2]

...both manufacturers make great AWD systems...probably the best two in the world. For the comparisons to be close to having any validity you would need the two cars of both simialar size and weight, exact same tires, on the exact same course with the same driver. Variables such as tires, tire presure, driver skill...or lack thereof are just some of the things that could affect these comparisons. Best case would be to put them in an arena on the ice and do it there with some very controlled tests.

...and then the test would have to be peer reviewed...lol.

[subiesailor]

With the drivers swapping cars more than once with the data compared across the whole process.

Sedan vs wagon is improper Sedan vs Sedan - wagon vs wagon given yes weight distribution is different between the two. The Legacy is far stiffer and better at grip than the OB is.

[jogosub]

Originally Posted by statueim

TireRack often publishes their results including videos with portions of the testing. The most recent winter tire test is here (controlled conditions on an ice rink):
Testing the Newest Studless Ice & Snow Winter Tires

Also, I am running slightly narrower tires than stock (215/70/16) that I purchased from TireRack. Not that I have proof that 1cm of section width (not tread width) is going to make a noticeable difference, but the physics makes sense and the tires and extra set of rims were cheaper anyways. What would you define as a "skinny tire" that would roughly suit the default Outback tire diameter that someone sells (or manufactures, even)?

I was referring to the "skinny tires" on Saab cars in the late 50s and 60s. People here were laughing at them but Saab kept winning all those races in Europe precisely because of the tires, that they had. They don't sell those anymore nor they are manufactured. Personally, I would get any tire that you can still put studs into them ... but I am afraid not that many States allow studs in their tires - if at all. I hate salt being put on roadways. In Scandinavia it's all studded tires (for most parts anyway...). Preople change rims with mounted tires each and every season, pretty standard in those woods.