I have a 1997 960 RWD sedan, and I am involved in a love-hate relationship with my Volvo. We had a light dusting of snow just recently (small preview of more to come), and I was driving white-knuckled trying to keep it on the road at a slowww speed - front and back sliding(other cars on road were not having such problems). I know Volvo is known for safety, but I'm feeling this is too much of a safety risk. Love the car, and I would like to keep. Any suggestions?

Currently, I have Toyo speed rated tires (about 3000 miles on them). Do snow tires really make a significant difference, or will it only help slightly?

Any feedback appreciated. Thankyou.

The correct tires make ALL the difference in the world. I use 4 studded Nokian Hakka 1's on our 95 960. For the winter, the softer the compound and the more sipes the better.

DEWFPO
--
1998 S90 071,245 and 1995 964 154,100

I drive a 95 960, and as a Canadian, have driven in snow all my life. We get about 35 feet of snow/year in the area I live in.


Front wheel drive is certainly superior, because the weight of the engine is over the drive wheels. Here, the car is 'pulled' through the snow rather than 'pushed.'
I have escaped unscathed from some really harrowing experiences in my fwd cars.

However, my 960 is rwd. On my 95 960, I have 4 snows rated M+S (mud & snow). In winter, I usually put two bags of kitty litter or sand in the trunk. This serves two purposes. First, it is weight over the drive wheels so I have better traction. Second, in the event I get stuck or can't get over a greasy area, I can sprinkle the sand or litter on the areas around the wheels to get traction.

All season tires are of little use in winter on this car. So I have two sets of wheels and tires. I take the snows off every spring to help make them last longer as they are softer rubber that wears too quickly in summer. But the softer rubber is what makes them work so much better than all seasons in the snow.

I also accelerate slowly in winter with the 960. If I don't, the back end slides out and I end up going sideways down the road. Winter mode hellps a bit with this on ice, but is not good to use when pulling into traffic because it can be so slow that you may get hit by another car. I find it is better suited for ice or greasy roads when you are going straight or do not need to get out of the way of something when turning.

Good luck in the snow eh?

Be careful using the transmission's "Winter" mode. It creates quite a bit of heat in the transmission and could overheat the fluid. 2 independent Volvo mechanics have told me that it should be used only if absolutely necessary. It locks the tranny in 3rd gear; just think of trying to start from a stop in 3rd gear in a manual transmission car. Pretty hard on the clutch. Anyway, just be careful using "W" and make sure the transmission fluid stays clean and is changed at proper intervals.
--
Chris. Halifax N.S. '98 V90 > 195K km, '91 745T > 300K km (FOR SALE) and '91 745 NA > 410K km.

Yep, I agree with everyone, snow tires are the way to go! They make a big difference on my 745. They're "Mopar" snows (I don't think they're available anymore) and they've been used 4 winters now and still have tread left! I guess I'll use them this winter too. The V90 will sit in the garage for the winter, so I don't have snows for it. As for good snows; my Vo mechanic swears by Toyo Observes and everyone I know who has them, loves them. I second the recommendation for a set of 15" rims and 195/65R15s rather then getting a set of snows for your 16" rims. A worthwhile investment for sure.
--
Chris. Halifax N.S. '98 V90 > 195K km, '91 745T > 300K km (FOR SALE) and '91 745 NA > 410K km.

My 97 960 sits in the garage over the winter. My 1987 745 Turbo wagon is my every day car and in the winter I run 4 Gislave snows. No weight in the back and it doesn't have a LSD rear end. Funny I have never gotten stuck and it drives fine in the snow. As everyone else has said you need snows on a Volvo in the winter. I know people with FWD Volvo's that have given in to putting 4 snows on their cars. The sales people tell the customers they don't need them on their FWD's and the service writers and techs tell the customers to install snows on them.

Definitely get snows. I've heard lots of good things about Nokians, and Michelin X-Ices are decent but far too expensive for a tire that wears out so quickly. It's going to make a world of difference, especially once you get some weight in the trunk. I remember the first time I drove a 240 in the snow, because I spent a disproportionately large amount of time sliding sideways... with nice performance tires. I bought 4 cheap snow tires the next day and was fine from then on. With those tall, narrow 185/75 14s the thing just didn't get stuck either. Now the snows go on my car at the first hint of cold weather, I'm not going to take a chance on wrecking the car some evening for the sake of saving a few hundred miles of wear on the soft snow tires.
--
Chris, Dartmouth NS Canada 70 M-B 280SE, 83 245DL, 84 244 turbo, 90 780 turbo, 92 VW Golf, 90 740 Rex/Regina

First, thank you and everyone else who has responded. After hearing everyones feedback, I think that I will definitely be getting snowtires placed on all 4 corners with the weight in the trunk. Hopefully this will cure my woes. Thank you again for feedback.

I drive a 200 so there is a difference, I understand . I drive in Lower New York State (Long Island). I use All Season tires and 90 lbs ( Two Barbell Weights ) in the trunk. I've been doing it since I bought the car in the winter of '88/'89.

I drive 50 miles round trip to work, Never got stuck yet.
If you live north of me where snow is seen more often, I would consider Snows.
--
'75 Jeep CJ5 345Hp ChevyPwrd, two motorcycles, '85 Pickup: The '89 Volvo is the newest vehicle I own. it wasn't Volvos safety , it was Longevity that sold me

Put a full set of four Nokian studded snow tires on it, throw a couple of sacks of kitty litter in the back, and laugh at all the four wheel drive suv's spun out in the ditch as you cruise on by. Your car already has an automatic locking differential, with four snows on it, on snow the thing will feel like you are driving on a dirt road. I go places four wheel drives cant even dream of when we have snow/ice storms in my '93 940t ( And i REALLY love the look on their faces when I drive around them stuck , especially when I can stop and get started again without any problem on hills they are spun out on :-).
That reminds me, it's time to put the things back on again.

--
-------Robert, '93 940t, '90 240 wagon, '84 240 diesel (she's sick) , '80 245 diesel, '86 740 GLE turbo diesel, '92 Ford F350 diesel dually

Snow tires for a RWD Volvo are not an option - they are a MUST!

I have been very using Nokian snow tires on my cars.
--
700/900 FAQ and now Map your 700/900!

Those tires you have on are probably great on dry clean pavement and may be good on warm wet roads but on snow they are NOT GOOD.

A set of of 4 real snow tires will be like the differance between night and day!

I assume you have the 16" wheels with 205/55-16 tires? Get a set of 15 inch wheels, like from a wagon off ebay or your favorite recycler, and put a recommended winter tire in 195/65-15 on them. The smaller wheel, higher side wall will make damage from pot holes less likely.

We have minimal snow days here in the Boston area so I choose the Michelin Pilot Alpins, H rated, for my winter time. They aren't the best in snow, but much better than "all season" and still work good on the dry days.

If you get a lot of snow where you are, perhaps others will make some recomendations
--
'96 965, 16' wheels, Michelin Pilot Sports, rear 18mm bar + Koni, 201 HP cams, 130K. Put 200K on '85 745 TD.

You'll want 4 wheel real snow tires (not all season)-- narrow are better than wide for winter. Add about 80lbs of weight over the rear axle (bags of road salt or sand), and use a gentle touch on the throttle. If you do this, you'll be fine.

Good luck!
--
Herb Goltz, Aurora, Ontario, Canada '92 245 w/124K mi, '92 945T w/200K mi

Definitely to put 4 snow tires on. I have a FWD Mazda 3 and a 94 940, I found that the 940 have better control on snow with snow tires on than the FWD mazda 3 with snow. Try Pirelli Winter Carving, reasonable price with great traction on snow.