Pirelli Sottozero impressions

I just put Pirelli Sotozero tires on my California. For those that are considering driving their California in snow or cold conditions you may want to chime in with your snow tire impressions too. I have Michelin Ice X II's on my Mercedes and they REALLY STICK GOOD in wet, snow, or ice! But that model is not available in the standard California wheel size so I went to the Pirelli Sotozero.

The stock PZero's are dangerous in the slightest snow. 1/4 inch makes the California undriveable, and it is all the tire.

We have not had snow yet but after putting them on we had a 1 inch + rainfall and I wanted to see how they perform is cold wet conditions.

First, in dry conditions they are quiet and stick fairly well, not nearly as good as PZeros when warm of course, but good enough to floor it in 3rd and up.

Cold and rain ... even with large deep puddles they went through them as if the water was not there. Way better than PZero's as they should be. Traction was a little less than what I had dry but pretty darn good.

That is all for now ... I will be back when I see some snow or ice. I don't plan to drive it on purpose in snow or icy conditions, but this year I do not have to worry about getting caught in it. 16,500 miles since December 5, 2009 ... what FUN!

 

We will see this year what it collects. Last year I stayed away from snow with the PZero's. This year I will avoid deep snow but will not fear a little. I'll report build up in the wheel wells too, if there is any.

Tire Rack sells (imagine that) a tire rack for $125 that I just installed last night. It easily holds a set of our tires. It installs easy too. I will post a photo later.

 

Thanks guys, guess I am glad I bought them. Dan, you are a slacker (kidding) ... I already have 16,600 miles on my 2010 California!

 

Actually snow itself is not the problem. The problem is the snow snakes. Snow drives the snow snakes out of their holes. They are extremely slimy and slippery ... worse they are invisible. Hit one and your car slides off the road. Fortunately snow tire tread patterns somewhat match their scale's patterns and therefore give some grip.

 

I would agree that the fuzzy lining does not make sense, but it does not really gather junk. It goes in a heated garage everynight so whatever might freeze there melts by morning, or during its regular wash. Mud rinses out quickly as well. Snow snake juice though does stick.

 

Looks like I get to try them in snow today!
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Terry, enter "Damn Yankee" into Google translator ... it translates to "We win"

And how cold is it down there today?

And Jennifer ... wheels are not too bad but I may sell them for star wheels (not). I am told the snow snake slime falls off the star wheels better.

 

I would be happy with tomorrow's high!

By the time I got on the road this afternoon, the snow was all but gone. Sunday we are supposed to get a bunch ... guess it will be Sunday beofre the Sottozero's get a good test. That will actually work because I will take the California to my daughter's high school parking lot to 'play'.

Rick

 

Jennifer, is that a John Wayne cowboy boot or a Broke Butt Mountain cowboy boot?

Back to the thread, on the thinly snow covered parking lot this morning, they stick like it was dry pavement ... way cool. We should have a couple inches of snow (snow snake slime included) this Sunday and we will see how that goes.

I will be in Dallas next month, it will be nice to get outside without my lips turning blue!

Rick

 

Finally, a couple inches of snow, some ice under it but not much, and these Sottozero's work great. Not quite as nice as the Michellin Ice X II's on the Mercedes but really good! For those as silly as me to drive the California in the snow, these tires work quite well.

Rick