It’s spring! Please don’t drive on winter tires.

Montreal (April 26, 2010) – Pirelli Tire reminds motorists that the attributes that make winter tires so important when the weather is cold also make it important to remove them as the weather warms up.

Pirelli’s winter tires are manufactured using specialized compounds to keep the tread surface flexible and add grip when the temperature is below 7º C. Those compounds are designed for the cold, but have neither the durability nor suitable traction when the mercury soars.

Most Canadians use what is incorrectly named “all-season” tires. In fact, in the Canadian climate with its severe winters, they would be better designated ‘three-season’ tires since they serve the vehicle well when the temperature is above 7º C. For Canadians in most regions, now is a good time to switch your tires.

When installing your all-season or summer tires, be certain the tread depth is sufficient, the valve stems are functioning properly and the tires are inflated correctly. If in doubt, consult a tire professional to ensure that you have safe, enjoyable driving all year round.

Let me emphasise, these are things I like! Again, others may agree. Some people may be impartial and some may even disagree. I don’t care – here are the things I like about this vehicle.

The Buick LaCrosse cockpit

Performance and Handling

The Buick Lacrosse CXL is essentially an upscale family car with four doors for two adults, two kids and the family dog.  It’s not there to compete with the “zero to 60 in under 5 seconds” crowd, or for occupants to experience excessive G-forces in corners. It’s a vehicle designed to transport family members to and fro in relative luxury, and to that end it does it very well.

The LaCrosse CXS comes with the 280hp 3.6L V6 transverse mounted motor that produces 259 lb-ft of torque at 4800 rpm, and this is delivered to the road via a 6-speed automatic transmission.  What does this mean?  It means the CXS has more power than the average driver will ever need.

6-Speed transmission offering both Sport Mode and Driver Shift Control

What is important is the fact that this power is delivered cleanly and smoothly, and the transmission’s shifts are hardly noticeable.  For those who require more fun, there is the fully automatic Sport Mode.  Simply move the shifter to the left and enjoy the shifts at higher rpm.  For those who want total Driver Shift Control – while in Sport Mode, move the shifter forwards or backwards to either shift up or to shift down.

Brakes – When you have over 4000 lbs of un-laden vehicle being thrust by 280 hp, then it’s nice to have the confidence of a good set of brakes.  While I only had to use the brakes in earnest once.  That was when someone driving a car to my left decided at the last moment to take the exit looming on my right and in so doing.  This little act of folly, almost resulted in a re-sculptured front left fender.  I don’t know.  It’s big, it’s white, it has light – what’s not to notice?  Anyway, thanks to the Buick’s full set of disk brakes, calamity was averted.  I can’t tell in this case, if the braking system’s Intelligent Assist was activated or not, but for those unfamiliar with this feature – the amount of “enthusiasm” applied to the brakes at any given moment is instantly analysed and the appropriate amount of braking is adjusted accordingly.

P245/40R19 by Goodyear

Wheels and Tires – When all is said and done, it’s the wheels and tires that call the shots.  The wheels determine the shape of the tire’s contact patch and it’s the tires that grip the road.  Now, I’m somewhat embarrassed to have driven a vehicle with 19” wheels wearing 245/40 profile tires (Goodyear Eagles RS-A All Season tires), with temperatures dipping below freezing.  In warmer temperatures, these tires would no doubt come into their own realm of happiness.  That’s not say they didn’t perform well – they did, but winter tires are better this time of the year.  Tire profile is a give and take.  The lower the profile, the better the handle.  The lower the profile, the harsher the ride.  Having said that, the ride was very good so I can only surmise this car must be a dream to drive in ideal temperatures.

From The Driver’s Seat

The Buick LaCrosse wasn’t the easiest car to get accustomed to.  It certainly had its quirks, but the interesting thing was – the more I drove it, the more I enjoyed driving it.  It’s a shame that the new buyer only gets to drive a vehicle around the block from which they have to decision.  I was still discovering things about this vehicle after a week of driving. We’ve talked about the “A” pillar and mirrors in Day 6, so here are some of the other quirks –

Driver side seat controls

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• The seat controls were down the side of the seat but were difficult to reach with the door closed.  This was interesting – seat controls in this location have been a problem if a seat belt gets caught up in them.  However, the way the seat belt is positioned – it is very difficult to get the belt caught.  I can’t tell if this was deliberate or accidental.  Either way, I would have preferred to have the seat controls up out of the way.

• There are two memory positions for the driver’s seat which is convenient if there are two drivers.  However, the steering column has only manual telescopic and tilt.  It would seem natural that this adjustment be powered and therefore be tied into the memory control.

And here is some of the really kool stuff -

• I love the “Head up Display” (HUD) – this is not a gimmick.  The vehicle speed, in either Digital or Analog format, is displayed just below the line of sight.  It’s unobtrusive yet convenient.  Warnings about the possibility of ice, for example, pop up from time to time.

• The harman/kardon sound system delivered through 11 speakers is a joy to behold.  I never did quite find all 11 speakers, but who cares when you’re listening to the rich voice of Andrea Bocelli in the days leading up to Christmas.

• Navigations systems get better and better and this was one of the best – perhaps because it was one of the latest.  Regardless, I liked it.  I was also amused by the fact that when I got a low fuel warning, the navigation system immediately displayed the location of nearby gas stations.  Why did I suddenly run low on gas?  Well, it was because the fuel gauge was not quite linear.  It wouldn’t be the first GM vehicle that had left me stranded because of this little quirk.  OK guys – we’ve had our fun – now make it fixed!!  Gas gauges are only useful when they are linear.

THERE’S MORE TO COME  – Stay Tuned

This review was written based purely upon personal experiences gained during a test drive of one vehicle over a period of one week. The vehicle was evaluated solely upon its merits and not by price nor in direct comparison to any other vehicle. Prospective buyers are encouraged to contact their local dealerships to arrange a test drive to evaluate the vehicle based upon their own needs and requirements.

Walnuts - Frapontite - Silica

Slowly the message is getting out there, “When it’s winter – it’s time for winter tires!”

The 2007/2008 winter season saw Quebec make winter tires mandatory and this probably sent a message to Ontarians that perhaps winter tires are a good thing.  Yet it’s still amazing how often I across the “I’m a good driver – I don’t need winter tires” mentality.  And to answer the question that’s asked repeatedly this time of the year- “Do I really need FOUR winter tires?” The answer is – “If it’s winter at both ends of your vehicle, you need winter tires at both ends of your vehicle!”

At the SHIFT_into gear event hosted by Nissan, TOYO  Tires had a booth displaying its line of winter tires.  I talked to Tim o’Shaughnessy, Toyo’s National Account Manager who explained the 3 models – the Observe G-20 for the worst winter conditions, the Garit KX for performance vehicles, and the Snowprox S952 for extra winter traction.

Tim also showed me three small containers, each containing the main ingredients necessary to make tires that work in sub-zero temperatures -

Walnut Shells – it seems walnut shells are one of nature’s hardest substances and crusted shells are mixed into the tire compound to add that extra grip.

Frapontite – these tiny crystals are a key ingredient and have the ability to absorb water.  It’s not the inability of the tire to stick to ice that causes loss of traction but the thin layer of water between the tire and the ice.  What water doesn’t get sucked into the sipes (the spaces in the tread pattern), gets absorbed by this compound.  It’s then quickly released once the tire surface is no longer in contact with ice.

Silica – silica is used to keep the tire compound soft in lower temperatures.  Unlike the ill-named “all-season” tire that gets hard, winter tires remain soft and flexible and it’s this characteristic that allows the tire to grip and therefore provide control while steering, accelerating and stopping.

The benefits of a complete set of good winter tire are obvious. How well winter tires work is dependent upon many factors, but nothing substitutes for intelligent driving in winter conditions.