Snow and wet weather performance

[VerbalKint]

Has anyone seen any reports of how the 2012 SRT8 performs in the snow???

[soontobesrt]

Has anyone seen any reports of how the 2012 SRT8 performs in the snow???

I dont think anyone has taken one in the snow yet?? Dont quote me but hasnt been any snow on eastern seaboard since any have been made and unless they flew on way up north I doubt anyone would have any info on this.

Im sure its decent though as it seems at home in that video on the dirt track :)

[5point9]

There were tonnes of magazines doing winter tests with the SRT WK1. I'm sure we will be seeing the same with this new one in several months time. For now I really don't want to think about snow.

[soontobesrt]

Yeah give it till next spring and you'll have your snow tests. Im sure its a performer with the adaptable suspension and engine/trans programming so it should outperform your average mom mobiles out there haha. Wont be a match for any Evo or STi in winter trim or any normal Jeep setup for off-roading but Id be confident out in the snow with it :)

Physics is physics though and 5klb with some street tires is always a recipe for disaster when you are talking very limited grip, add some ice and you can forget :(

[kokanee13]

Without question it will be better than wk1 srt8.

[Red G8R]

A console-mounted Selec-Trac master knob in the WK2 SRT8 has 5 selections: Auto, Sport, Track, Tow, and Snow.

It controls the damping, stability control, torque distribution, shift strategy, throttle response, and cylinder deactivation all with the turn of a knob.

So, with a set of winter tires, the SRT8 should do fair.

[soontobesrt]

A console-mounted Selec-Trac master knob in the WK2 SRT8 has 5 selections: Auto, Sport, Track, Tow, and Snow.

It controls the damping, stability control, torque distribution, shift strategy, throttle response, and cylinder deactivation all with the turn of a knob.

So, with a set of winter tires, the SRT8 should do fair.


Agree 100% - but you get cocky and push it to the limit, "like anything" you will most certainly pay :) not that everyone didnt know that i guess :rolleyes:

Seen many cases of "i bought a car/suv BUILT TO HANDLE RAIN/SNOW!" end up on the side of the road upside down due to too much braun and too little brains . . . dont forget what you are driving and the conditions

[QuickOne]

A console-mounted Selec-Trac master knob in the WK2 SRT8 has 5 selections: Auto, Sport, Track, Tow, and Snow.

It controls the damping, stability control, torque distribution, shift strategy, throttle response, and cylinder deactivation all with the turn of a knob.

So, with a set of winter tires, the SRT8 should do fair.

We had record snow falls this year in the North East. My Srt8 with blizzaks was an absolute tank in the snow and I don't have any select trac to help dampen throttle response, shift points and torque distribution.
So in my opinion, with the added ground clearance and much better torque management, this version will be GREAT in the snow.

[VerbalKint]

Thanks for the feedback! I'm sure it will be fine.

Anxiously waiting for a delivery date!

[mjw930]

I imagine if you put a set of Blizzak DM-V1's on (265/50-20 will fit up to a 9.5" rim) then it should be every bit as capable as any other 4WD WK2 or any other 4WD SUV out there. No reason to believe otherwise.

If you leave the all season tires on with the 295mm cross section then it's anyone's guess but certainly not optimal.

[DaBigBone]

Eventually I'll be buying one as a Daily Driver, so it better be decent in snow!

[VerbalKint]

I probably should have ordered 3 season tires, since I plan on using winter tires. Not a big deal....

[Red G8R]

I probably should have ordered 3 season tires, since I plan on using winter tires. Not a big deal....

All the reason more to get the summer tires. The 3 seasons are for those not planning on getting winter tires.

[BostonDMD]

All the reason more to get the summer tires. The 3 seasons are for those not planning on getting winter tires.

Agree.....

If you plan to use it in the snow you need a second set of wheels with snow tires on.....

From my experience, 3 season tires are not great in the summer and not great in the winter, why even bother?

[mjw930]

Agree.....

If you plan to use it in the snow you need a second set of wheels with snow tires on.....

From my experience, 3 season tires are not great in the summer and not great in the winter, why even bother?

I think you meant 4 season as not being great at anything. I'm trying to figure out what a "3" season tire is?

Tires are typically classed as Summer, Winter and All Season (M+S). Of course there are variations on high performance tires with Dry and Wet but none of that applies to SUV tires, they are all at least dry, wet and cold rated, they just aren't all M+S rated.

Tire rack did a review of Summer, Winter and All Season tires and found, to their surprise, that the Summer tires out performed the All Season tires in the wet. It was expected that the All Season tires would be the best in the wet and fall short in the dry and snow but it turned out the Summer tires were the best in the dry AND wet. Obviously the winter tires were best in the snow and bringing up the rear were the all season tires.

Forget what Jeep wants to call them, the tires available are:

TIRES
Standard
Size and Type: P295/45ZR20
Mfr. and Model: Pirelli Scorpion Verde – All-Season Performance (run flat)

Optional
Size and Type: P295/45ZR20
Mfr. and Model: Pirelli P-Zero – Three Season (run flat)

Standard are All Season (M+S), Optional are "Summer" tires though they don't have low temp warnings like Max Performance Summer tires. I guess that's the "3rd" season :)

[BostonDMD]

I assumed that 3 seasons are equivalent to all seasons, may be not?

For me in the northeast is summer tires and winter tires on separate rims.....

Does anyone know how a 3 seasons tire differ from an all seasons one?

[VerbalKint]

I assumed that 3 seasons are equivalent to all seasons, may be not?

For me in the northeast is summer tires and winter tires on separate rims.....

Does anyone know how a 3 seasons tire differ from an all seasons one?
I think it's the other way around. That's why I was wishing I opted for the "3 season". I plan of getting winter tires on separate rims, and my assumption is that the "3 seasons" tires perform better in non-winter weather.

[BostonDMD]

I think it's the other way around. That's why I was wishing I opted for the "3 season". I plan of getting winter tires on separate rims, and my assumption is that the "3 seasons" tires perform better in non-winter weather.

What is a 3 seasons tire and why would it be better than the summer tires in non-winter months?:confused:

[VerbalKint]

It's one of the SRT 8 tire options

Optional: P295/45ZR20 Pirelli P-Zero, Three Season (run flat) [895]

My guess is that 3 season tires are summer tires (said differently, non winter tires)...

[BostonDMD]

I think you are right, the standard SRT8 tires are:

295/45ZR20 BSW All Season Tires (as per WK2jeeps.com)

[VerbalKint]

Standard: P295/45ZR20 Pirelli Scorpion Verde, All Season (run flat)

[Red G8R]

My bad.
I assumed the standard tires were summer performance tires with optional 3 season (all season) tires.
So what are 3 season tires?

[VerbalKint]

http://www.jeep.com/shared/2011/srt8/pdfs/2012_JP_GrandCherokeeSRT8_FA.pdf

dated... still shows the 430N as standard

[Scottina06]

My bad.
I assumed the standard tires were summer performance tires with optional 3 season (all season) tires.
So what are 3 season tires?


My wifes Lexus hadwhat they called 3 season tires....they are summer tires. No snow or cold weather at all......and they are almost always z rated and affected by cold weather...not only snow. They are best when used in spring, summer an dfall in warmer climates.

[transam]

RE: 3 Season vs All season tires.

(From my understanding)

All season tires are basically made to be a compromise for all weather extremes. They will give you "acceptable" performance in cold, hot, wet, and snowy conditions. Not optimal in any particular condition though. Rubber compound is probably produced to handle temperature extremes between Winter and Summer. Tread pattern, siping, and shoulder design is designed as a combination of different factors as well. Pirelli most likely designed this tire to suit the Jeep SRT8 for all-around use with performance characteristics built in.

3 season tires are most likely built without concern for cold temperatures ( performance/soft rubber becomes brittle at low temps). They can be used in warmer climates that don't expect cold weather and snow. This tire would be able to be designed for more performance vs the all-season's. The tread pattern, siping, material, and shoulder design can be designed for more traction in warmer conditions. Although not a specific max performance Summer/ track tire, it can possibly get close enough?

Feel free to add to this, as I'm not an expert!

[BostonDMD]

^^^ Makes sense to me.....

[Red G8R]

Thanks for the clarification re: 3 seasons.

[mjw930]

What still doesn't make sense is the $865 up charge to switch from Scorpions to P-Zero's?

The smart move, IMHO, is to negotiate a deal with a local tire store to trade your stock tires for a real performance tire from the beginning. You should be able to get at least $250 per tire towards something like the BFG's, Nitto, Toyo or whatever other tire you really want.