Conference vmsnet::car$note:carbuffs

Does anyone know if I can visit Canada (Quebec) for the weekend with studded
snows on the car?

Jim

    It's my understanding that studded tires are not legal for use anywhere
    in Canada (99.99% positive). They are definitely not allowed in Ontario.
    
    R.M.F.
    from KAO
    

    
    On the other hand they couldn't make the Quebec road surfaces
    any worse.
    
    Go for it...

Ignorance of the law is no excuse, and the Canadians can be sticklers for
things like this.  I wouldn't take the risk.  Also, Canada requires
DRLs or headlights at all times.

You also need to have a card from your insurance company certifying that you
meet Canada's minimum insurance requirements.  A copy of your policy will
NOT suffice.

				Steve

>things like this.  I wouldn't take the risk.  Also, Canada requires
>DRLs or headlights at all times.

Unless the law has changed in the last eight or nine weeks, Canada only 
requires lights on for model years in the nineties.

>You also need to have a card from your insurance company certifying that you
>meet Canada's minimum insurance requirements.  A copy of your policy will
>NOT suffice.

Your policy is good enough *IF* the policy limits are at or above the 
Canadian minimums.  If your policy limits are lower, most companies will 
issue a card stating that the limits are raised while you are operating on 
Canadian soil.  You must carry one or the other with you.

>>things like this.  I wouldn't take the risk.  Also, Canada requires
>>DRLs or headlights at all times.

They requre them to be functional on cars equipped with them from the factory.
Our cars do not have them and we have had no problems.

>>You also need to have a card from your insurance company certifying that you
>>meet Canada's minimum insurance requirements.  A copy of your policy will
>>NOT suffice.

I have the Canadian insurance cards for both cars.  These are free for the
asking from your insurance company.

Jim

    
    At the border crossings, you'll see steel strips across the path
    of the cars entering Canada. This allows the the Custom's officers
    to hear cars equipped with steel studs on their tires
    	You will also notice that you will see no cars travelling
    on steel rims without rubber coverings when on Canadian highways. :-)

>    	You will also notice that you will see no cars travelling
>    on steel rims without rubber coverings when on Canadian highways. :-)
    
    
       Que?

    
    	Apparently because the metal doesn't do the roads any good.
    

    
    And the steel strips across the highways are designed to pop
    up and shred your rubber if you don't answer the questions
    correctly 
    
    8*)
     /Pat

    Re: .530
    
    You are required to have the card certifying compliance to Canadian
    liability limits.  The card is free from your insurance company
    (assuming you do meet the requirements).  It is not sufficient to
    have a copy of the policy itself.
    
    					Steve

>    You are required to have the card certifying compliance to Canadian
>    liability limits.  The card is free from your insurance company
>    (assuming you do meet the requirements).  It is not sufficient to
>    have a copy of the policy itself.

to settle previous arguments, I have inquired at the border about this 
requirement and they tell me you only need the card if your policy limits 
are normally below Canadian minimums.  Since my limit is 1,000,000.00, I 
don't need to carry the card, just my policy statement.

    This is the old "who enforces the law" ... Customs doesn't enforce this
    law ... it is a road traffic law in each state.  The card has some
    title like Inter-Provincial Insurance Liability card ... It is only
    interprovincial because teh provinces agreed (amazing!) and not because
    it is a federal law.
    
    So ... bottom line is you can probably get away with it ... but ...
    since the card is usually free (The rental co's offer them too on
    request for their cars) you should have one.
    
    Stuart

        Spent a week in February skiing in Quebec and rented a
        Ford Expedition for the trip. I wanted to make sure my insurance
        on my Corolla would cover me if anything happened. The folks at
        MetPay handed me one of the cards to take with me if there were
        any problems.
        
        b
        

	After a few 360s on route 128 last Friday in the Eclipse GSX (all
wheel drive!!) my SO has decided that some form of winter tires may be
in the near future to replace the 215?-60-16 M&S sneaks currently on
the car.

	She was simply changing lanes thru some considerable slush at
about 35 MPH. I'm unsure, however, whether the major cause of the apparent
lack of control is tires or the fact that the car is very lightweight. Any
ideas? Any  suggestions on replacement tires? What are my odds on finding
steel 16inch wheels for a GSX, for winter wear?

thanks,

Rick

ps. I true miracle she wasn't hit! Route 128!!

    re: winter tires/wheels for GSX
    
    Call Tire rack.  The 16" package (steel wheels/Bridgestone Blizzak
    snows) goes for like $640 w/wheel covers.  I know this first-hand
    because a neighbor had this car with the same problem earlier this
    winter.  I looked up the solution for him.  His result?  He traded
    the car for something else (w/4 doors - he has 2 kids).  But I"m
    sure the AWD on that vehicle with the decent tires will make a
    huge difference.  Their number is 1-800-428-8355.
    
    andy
    

    
    re:.540
    
    Rick,
    
    No surprise to me that the wide all-seasons would float on slush. The
    multiple 360 spins would probably be a surprise though 8^0 (lucky!). I've
    got a 4WD with fairly new 31x10.5 tires. IMHO, the wide footprint tires
    are very unsafe on snow/slush. I've been known to drive a bit fast in dry
    road conditions, but I crawl along in snow/slush. Changing lanes is the
    worse. If it wasn't for 4WD, I would never make it up my driveway with the
    10.5's. I have considered a second set of narrow wheels/snow tires.
    
    I would think you could go with the same 14" steel wheels that come on
    the RS and save bucks on the (smaller) snow tires if possible. Either way
    (14 or 16") you want a narrower set of tires (195's or so). I think four
    narrow snows will make a big difference. It wouldn't hurt to put 100 or so
    pounds of weight in the back of the car if possible too. I used to put two
    or three bags of sand in a 200sx, and it made a difference.
    
    FWIW, I bought winter (Dunlops) tires/wheels for the wife's car this winter 
    (mainly to save the alloys from salt) from the Tire Rack for a bit over
    $400 delivered (no hubcaps). The couple of times I've driven the car in 
    snow, it handled great. Package prices do vary depending on make/model
    and size. My Nissan steel wheels were only $35 each from them. Local shops
    wanted $60 - $80 each. Junkyards wanted $400 for used all seasons w/ wheels
    (not too bad, but I wanted snows). 
      
    Hope this helps...
    
    /Charlie
    
    
    
    

    re: smaller tires/wheels on a GSX
    
    Just fyi - when I inquired for my neighbor, you COULDN'T go to the
    normal 15" wheels on the GSX- apparently something either with the
    AWD or (more likely) upgraded disc brakes.  I tried the "smaller and
    narrower is better" route, and was advised by Tire Rack it couldn't
    be done to a GSX.......
    
    andy
    

    
    re: last  
    
    Yeah, looks like (at least the new RS) has rear drum and from disc. The
    GSX has disc all the way around (ventilated front). The new GSX's have 
    17" wheels. I had a feeling the smaller diameter wheels might not be an
    option. Now I know who buys the 16" Blizzaks (and why) :^). I was also
    trying for the cheapest solution to getting 4 wheels/snows...
    
    /Charlie

>>    <<< Note 329.543 by ZEKE::ASCHNEIDER "Andy Schneider - DTN 381-1696" >>>

>>    re: smaller tires/wheels on a GSX
  

    andy,

	Do you recall what *SIZE* Blizzaks were recommended? I'm wondering
if the recommended size will fit onto a set of stock 16" JY alum rims, or
if the tires would be too skinny for the factory width rims.

thanks,

Rick

$25 apiece for steel wheels and available 24 hours after I ordered 'em. 883-3199.

					Trace

    re: size for Blizzaks
    
    Can't remember exactly what size - but I seem to remember they were
    the same as the OEM setup.  Apparently it wasn't possible to do
    a ratio change on the 16" wheels since that would have created
    a non-existant tire size.  I don't have the advert in front of me -
    I think they had the actual sizes in there.  I'm sure their
    web page would have it (www.tirerack.com).
    
    re: price mail order vs local
    
    This is a real hit-and-miss situation.  If you have a vehicle that's
    very common, or has a common wheel size/offset/lug pattern you can
    probably do better locally.  But the problem typically is finding
    a wheel to fit the vehicle - and a GSX would be a good example.
    Locally, if the wheel isn't popular, it can be big bucks to get one.
    Tire rack typically does good volume on specialty-sized wheels so
    their prices can be more competitive in those cases.  AS always, 
    a few quick phone calls will tell the story.
    
    andy

    
                   195           50            15            22.6772
                   195           50            16            23.6772
                   195           50            17            24.6772
                   195           55            14            22.4449
                   195           55            15            23.4449
                   195           55            16            24.4449
                   195           55            17            25.4449
                   195           60            14            23.2126
                   195           60            15            24.2126
                   195           60            16            25.2126
                   195           60            17            26.2126
                   195           65            14            23.9803
                   195           65            15            24.9803
                   195           65            16            25.9803
                   195           65            17            26.9803
                   195           70            14            24.748
                   195           70            15            25.748
                   195           70            16            26.748
                   195           70            17            27.748
                   195           75            14            25.5157
                   195           75            15            26.5157
                   195           75            16            27.5157
                   195           75            17            28.5157
                   195           80            14            26.2835
                   195           80            15            27.2835
                   195           80            16            28.2835
                   195           80            17            29.2835
                   205           50            14            22.0709
                   205           50            15            23.0709
                   205           50            16            24.0709
                   205           50            17            25.0709
                   205           55            14            22.878
                   205           55            15            23.878
                   205           55            16            24.878
                   205           55            17            25.878
                   205           60            14            23.685
                   205           60            15            24.685
                   205           60            16            25.685
      

    You may want to check out Cooper's new Weather-Master XGR. It is
    similar to Blizzak in technology but less expensive. This is the
    first season of avalibility and may not be made in your size yet.
    
    
    http::/exchange.afterfive.com/cooper

>>    http::/exchange.afterfive.com/cooper

Should be:

    http://exchange.afterfive.com/cooper

    I see a number of references to Blizzak's in here, and I thought I'd
    add my two-cents worth...
    
    I like 'em. A Lot. The set on my Thunderbird has almost 20K on them
    now, they are on the the third winter this year, and the 'magic' is
    about gone - down to just everyday tires pretty much, but should have
    at least anothe 40K left on them. They are still head and shoulders above
    any other tire I've used for snow tires.
    
    They turned that twitchy little TBird into a confidence inspiring ride.
    Even my wife will drive it in the snow, and that speaks volumes right
    there. I'd buy another set - even if they are pretty pricey (about $500
    for a set of 4, with free mount/dismount for 3 years)
    
    .mike.