Those in the snow belt: you use snow tires?

[patsfan1281]

Do you have a dedicated snow tire? I have a AWD G35. Tires on it now make my car so unsafe in the snow ( High performance all season). Hit another curb today. So i went out and bought a set of used Blizzaks for $100 to put on tomorrow with 2 more big storms coming up. Just can't keep driving in this weather with what i have. EVen if winter is almost over

[gunblade]

I switch to studded snow tires in the winter.

[patsfan1281]

Originally Posted by gunblade

I switch to studded snow tires in the winter.

i would hope everyone in Alaska would have them..but i guess that isn't the case

[Comrad]

I haven't run snow tires in 25 years. All season radials with front wheel drive are great. I blew by a RWD car stuck on a hill today. RWD probably could benefit from snow tires but I won't own one since I got rid of my 320HP STS rear wheel drive and that car was out of control if I ran over a puddle of spit.

[patsfan1281]

Originally Posted by Comrad

I haven't run snow tires in 25 years. All season radials with front wheel drive are great. I blew by a RWD car stuck on a hill today. RWD probably could benefit from snow tires but I won't own one since I got rid of my 320HP STS rear wheel drive and that car was out of control if I ran over a puddle of spit.

my AWD is 70% power to back/30% to front. So mine is pretty much RWD. but can do as much as 50% if front finds better traction

[BigBill]

My Subaru Legacy has awd nothing special is needed. I go anywhere till the snow gets too deep. I had bigger 4x4 trucks that weren't so sure footed as my subie. There's a reason there is a Subaru in every driveway in Vt. This is my second subie and I'm looking for number 3.

I just fabricated duo-cross ice link chains for my tractors. They look like giant back scratchers. My 2wd tractors can't push snow without them.

[NMPinNYC]

Absolutely yes. I bought a set of dedicated snow and ice tires mounted on basic wheels for our two Subarus from Tire Rack. Came mounted and balanced. Did not do TPMS sensors on them, so we live with the dash lites over the winter. Michelin X-Ice II's on my Impreza and X-Ice III's on her Outback.

[explorer13421]

Syracuse, NY averages about 116-120 inches per snow season. Because of lake effect from Lake Ontario that number can go up another 100 inches a year. I used to drive 40,000 per year. All season tires seem alright for a season or two, but effectiveness drops off quickly as they wear. We put snow tires on our Camry, and it does well in the snow.

[carpriver]

I run a all weather radial tires on my 4wheel drive truck.

[BillK01]

Pittsburgh. We just put Bridgestone Blizzaks on my wife's fwd Toyota Sienna and the difference is night and day. We bought Michelin Hydroedges for it and while they're a nice all season they aren't even close to the Blizzaks for ice and snow. So until I suck it up and buy an extra set of wheels and toms sensors I'll just have costco swap em each season.

I run the Pirelli Scorpions my F150 came with and they stink in the snow but the 4wd helps offset it. I'll be getting a different brand when they need replaced. Probably Coopers or something similar.

[mtelkhntr]

I run dedicated snow tires on the wife's front wheel drive car in the winter and all season mud & snows year round on my 2500HD GMC Quad cab 4x4.

[patsfan1281]

Ya we get 100 inches a year here in central MA ( its the elevation mainly). I have just never had tires before get so bad from one winter to another to the point where i turn my wheel to go into some place....And my car just slides. No matter the speed. Yokohama=horrible snow. I dont know how i haven't gotten in an accident before

I may get a different set of wheel next winter so i dont have to spend the 80 every time to swap

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[dougb1946]

I run a 2wd shortbox F150 with all season mud/snow rated tires. If it snows, I slow down. If it snows too much (I am in MN and too much is relative) I stay home. Knowing how is as important as equipment, and avoiding trouble is a good start, and the biggest part of knowing how is knowing when to go slow.

My new Yokohamas' are doing well, in snow and on ice. I paid less for my first two cars together than for those 4 tires.

[patsfan1281]

Originally Posted by dougb1946

I run a 2wd shortbox F150 with all season mud/snow rated tires. If it snows, I slow down. If it snows too much (I am in MN and too much is relative) I stay home. Knowing how is as important as equipment, and avoiding trouble is a good start, and the biggest part of knowing how is knowing when to go slow.

My new Yokohamas' are doing well, in snow and on ice. I paid less for my first two cars together than for those 4 tires.

Any reason you didn't go with 4x4 living in M n?


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[Marshwheeling]

On my Astro van I ran all-season radials. With the AWD, it always hooked up pretty well. I had a Jetta for many years that ran 165/60x14. For winter, I put on 13" wheels with 155/70 Pirelli snows (didn't have the bucks for Hakkepolittas) and it worked great. I could pitch it into a turn and control the slide, predict when the fronts would hook up and go from understeer to something like neutral; very nice slippery-road manners for a FWD car.

For my 2wd Ranger, I put on some Cooper snow tires and put 300 lb. of sand in the back. (My sand tubes from last winter were still good after sitting out all summer.) It is reasonably well-behaved in this old-fashioned Minnesota winter, and I have yet to get stuck.

[steelslaver]

I run a Ford Escape with all seasons and it gets around great. If the roadss are real bad I can switch to my Ford 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4, it has snow tires on all corners and I have a full set of chains for it, plus a 9000# winch that mounts front or rear. That some chains and a snatch block, a couple big metal stakes and a maul makes it a near go anywhere rig.

[vrichard]

I`m right at the snow belt (7100 ft) just have a 2 wheel drive p, u.never had snow tires or chains on it yet.First snow about 2 weeks ago.
Dick
Last winter

[snubbyfan]

All terrain tires on my 4wd truck. Up here it's not just snow and ice but mud and difficult terrain too.

[Len]

Yep. Goodyear Wranglers on a F150 4x4. Night and day difference, not just in snow, but the softer rubber compounds used for winter tires makes for better braking and handling on snow pack and ice. Noticeable difference to me.

I have the kind of job that requires me to travel to a bunch of hospitals in the "thumb" area of Michigan. I simply have to make it to my destination hospitals.

It can be pretty remote up there, and in a blizzard you might not see another soul for hours on the roads. Cell phone coverage is spotty too.

Never been stuck. And, importantly, I do not believe that four wheel drive and snow tires make me invincible. I drive like a boy scout and have a full winter survival kit in the truck.

And once, last winter, I had enough traction to pull a State Trooper back onto the road from the ditch/drift he fishtailed into.

I'm a fan of snow tires.

Len

[RonJ]

I know how to drive in snow! I have a good set of all season Goodyears on my Sable. So long as I don't try to go off road I can go with the SUVs etc. I can't remember how many cars I've passed that were stuck trying to go up a slight grade. One lady in a Lexus gave me the finger as I went by.
Ice is a different story, I stay off the roads if at all possible.
(knock on wood )

[Mcwsky09]

I've had a set of Blizzaks mounted on a spare set of rims for about 10 years now. Makes a huge difference in northeast ohio. And can in quite handy on a trip through Morgantown, WV to Ashburn VA a couple weeks back.

I also have a couple sets of snow tires that have come off cars the wife turned in and don't fit on any car we currently have. Would like to sell em.

[vt_shooter]

Being a Vermonter, I'm a firm believer in snow tires. It makes a difference, especially on the hills that are borderline for being able to make it up because of snow. Snow tires also improve breaking in snow, which is why people put them on all 4 wheels even though they don't have 4 wheel drive.

[patsfan1281]

Originally Posted by vt_shooter

Being a Vermonter, I'm a firm believer in snow tires. It makes a difference, especially on the hills that are borderline for being able to make it up because of snow. Snow tires also improve breaking in snow, which is why people put them on all 4 wheels even though they don't have 4 wheel drive.

braking may be the worst problem i have. Going 30 and even slightly putting foot on break on a hill...everything locks up and i go into slide.

My 98 GP was great in the snow. FWD with only winter tires on the front wheels..about 10x better then my car with these garbage tires

[Mydogmax]

If AWD all season tires have worked fine for me. Front wheel drive I use snow tires on all four Rims. Had a rear wheel drive BMW 545, even with four snow tires, it was lousy in the snow. Blizzaks are the best.

[DJINCO]

Yes, I have Blizzak's on my HUMMER. I run Duratrak (Goodyear Off-Road) in the summer months. Even though the Duratrak's are rated for snow, they don't compare to the Blizzaks.

I have heard so many times "4-wheel drive is fine for going but not for stopping." That may be true if one subscribes to the theory of an "all-season tire" but I CAN stop on ice with the Blizzaks.

I just have to make sure no one slides into me who has the wrong tires on their car.

My wife has Blizzak's on her Sable. The blizzard of 1997 here in Colorado, I was getting through the snow when others were stuck and stranded.

We are sold on Blizzak's. I think of them as an insurance policy. Smack into a ditch or another vehicle and you'll spend a lot more than $1000 on repairs.

[TACC1]

Any brand of All Season Radials works for me,
TACC1

[Boxhead]

I run M&S tires on my two vehicles (both 4x4's) that reside at my place in north Idaho. Have never had an issue or a need to chain up on the paved roads.

[acco40]

Read this and then you can decide for yourself.

Winter-Traction Test: What Price Traction? - Feature - Car and Driver

[Dominus_Lex]

In a word Yes... they make all the difference, my Chevy acts like my wife's Subaru.. well almost.

[Arik]

I just use regular good tires

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[Fishinfool]

Used to have an old International Scout with snow tires. Would go anywhere. In 1982, bought a Dodge Ramcharger, 4wd. All season tires on it. First snowfall, maybe 6 inches, and I couldn't get up my steep driveway with it. Buddy stopped over with his scout. Came down my driveway, back up, back down, and back up in reverse. Stopped halfway up, then continued no problem...

Went out and put new snow tires on that truck. Next storm, no problems with that driveway. Night and day difference. To this day, I always run off road / snow tires on all my trucks. Drive a lot in the snow in the state forests around here, and (knock on wood) have never gotten stuck. Have pulled a number of 4wd's out who were running all season tires though. Its amazing what the right tire can do. My Corvette has ultra wide track tires on it, and even on the flat ground, with a couple of inches of snow, you put it in gear, and it just sits there and spins the tires at idle.

By the way Patsfan 1281, let us know how the new tires work for you - you have a foot of snow coming tonight in MA...

Larry

[mr-mom]

I make my living driving all over the state of Minnesota, 40-50,000 miles a year. It's not so much the tire as the nut behind the wheel. Learning how to approach winter roads and understanding the vehicle's limits will get you anywhere you want to be. Having said that, I have always used Michelin all-season tires on my work vehicle and my wife's Pacifica. Bruiser, the Chevy 2500 HD Diesel gets BF Goodrich All-terrain T/As year around. Both tire types have served my well for over 30 years.
Dave
SWCA #2778

[97ZJWheeler]

First year after I bought my Grand Cherokee, I left the all-season tires on it. Got stuck in the ruts left by the snow plow in my driveway, which is flat and had to shovel it out. That spring, I put Cooper Discoverer STTs on it. Snow has never been an issue since.

[dougb1946]

Originally Posted by patsfan1281

Any reason you didn't go with 4x4 living in M n?


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They expect you at work if you have 4wd. Also, if the snow is so bad you need 4wd, you should probably stay off the roads, let the plows work.
I've had this truck for about 15 years now, and been stuck 3 times, and I did learn to drive before 4wd was really popular.

[stacer]

yes I do. I had high performance tires on my WRX that turn to slicks with the slightest bit of snow. I got a set of winter tires mounte on a spare set of wheels and it has been night and day.

[H Richard]

Haven't used snow tires for over 25 years. I use all season tires on my Highlander 4WD. Before that I had a Chevy Trailblaser 4WD. The last RWD car I drove was a 93 Lincoln Mk 8. That could have benefited from snow tires, but we only had one snow deep enough to have needed them during the 6 years I owned that car.

[timjake]

I run all-season radials. For the amount of snow we get around Omaha, they do just fine.

[ladyT]

Just one question for you folks. What is this "snow" you talk of.

[Cyrano]

Originally Posted by ladyT

Just one question for you folks. What is this "snow" you talk of.

Love It!! i don't see any snow tires in El Paso, either.

[Beemerguy53]

Originally Posted by patsfan1281

Do you have a dedicated snow tire? I have a AWD G35. Tires on it now make my car so unsafe in the snow ( High performance all season). Hit another curb today. So i went out and bought a set of used Blizzaks for $100 to put on tomorrow with 2 more big storms coming up. Just can't keep driving in this weather with what i have. EVen if winter is almost over

I drive a 2013 VW Golf R. This is the high-performance version of the Golf, AWD, six-speed, 256 hp., 243 lbs.-ft.

It came with 18" Pirelli all-season tires, which I got rid of last spring. All-season tires are a compromise, and do not really work all that well in winter. (The best thing I can say about most of them is that they meet the legal standard for what is required under most snow emergency plans.) I converted to 17" wheels -- much better ride -- and bought Michelin Pilot Super Sports for summer use...what a terrific tire!

Last fall, I bought another set of wheels, and had Dunlop D4 Winter Radials mounted on them. They are amazing! These tires are as good in the winter as the Michelins are in the summer.

We have had a tough winter here in Maryland: Very cold temperatures and a lot of snow. I stopped the VW one evening in six inches of unplowed snow, engaged first gear, and punched it...and the car simply accelerated.

I first experienced dedicated winter radials years ago when driving in Germany in the winter, and I just loved them. These Dunlops are great, but most of the major tire companies make good winter tires these days too. You almost cannot go wrong...good luck to you!

[speedyquad]

for 9 years, i drove a 2wd chevy s-10 with a manual tranny...it only sported all season radials with 320 pounds of sand over the rear axle...never got stuck, never spun out...and there are long steep hills...i've gone around 4wd suv's that could not make it up the hill(driver, not the vehicle)...

someone above said it's the driver, not the vehicle...i agree...to a point...i just don't see a smart car doing well in 6 inches of snow and ice...then again, i don't see a smart car doing well on a nice bright sunny day...lol

[Arik]

They drive just fine in snow. I was driving one a few days ago when we got 10 inches. No different than any other car. For me driving something like a 2wd truck in winter is out of the question. No where to get 320 lbs of sand or anything else. I'm not willing to pay for that and then have to dump it somewhere when spring comes. Or pay for more gas due to the weight. Where am I going to put stuff when my "trunk" is full of stuff to weight down the truck.

I drive my little Corolla in most snow type situations without so much as a hiccup. Front wheel drive and good tires along with knowing how to drive in snow is enough to get me where I need to go and my daily commute is 50 miles.

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[speedyquad]

the 320 lbs of sand cost me a whopping $18 the first winter that i owned it. it stayed in 3 storage totes under the workbench in my garage. i had a frame that kept it in place while in the truck and then hung in the garage rafters...gas mileage did not drop enough to notice...

my 2wd truck even pulled a 4wd explorer out of a snowbank one time...

[oberlin1]

No, usually all season radials are good enough if you have front wheel drive and certainly all wheel drive. When I drove my F150 (RWD-only) to work I put 180 pounds of sand in the bed to keep the rear end down.

[gjgalligan]

I learned that "winter" tires are much better. They are made from softer rubber that helps grip better. While they will not last as long as other tires I have them for winter driving.

[S&WIowegan]

I drive a Chevy Avalanche and wife has a Subaru Outback, both with all season radials. Snow tires are unnecessary here because the roads get cleared quickly. Snow tires are a big time hassle in ice and rain because you actually have less tire-to-road contact.

If you want true winter misery buy a Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen with performance tires. First, the car is so low-slung it gets hung up on the frame in snow. Second, performance tires are awful in snow. Third, as winter progresses and the roads get pot holes performance tires literally get destroyed! Think $200. every time it happens. Traded that Jetta for an Outback and never looked back.

[Arik]

Originally Posted by S&WIowegan

I drive a Chevy Avalanche and wife has a Subaru Outback, both with all season radials. Snow tires are unnecessary here because the roads get cleared quickly. Snow tires are a big time hassle in ice and rain because you actually have less tire-to-road contact.

If you want true winter misery buy a Volkswagen Jetta Sportwagen with performance tires. First, the car is so low-slung it gets hung up on the frame in snow. Second, performance tires are awful in snow. Third, as winter progresses and the roads get pot holes performance tires literally get destroyed! Think $200. every time it happens. Traded that Jetta for an Outback and never looked back.

Yes performance tires are great in the summer, that's about it. It's as bad as Subaru WRX turbo in the snow. Although awd, as soon as the turbo kicks in (which is almost instantly) all you do is spin all 4 tires

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[df06]

I drive a 4WD PU with standards mud/snow tires, not special snow tires, in Minneapolis.
I never have had an issue getting around.

[patsfan1281]

so i had to drive today in the storm with the blizzaks for the first time...the main difference is stopping...it stops on a dime on snow covered road. Old tires it would take me a extra 100 feet to come to the same stop

[jaykwish]

Chevy cobalt no snow tires and it does fine. I did have a rwd work truck that could have benefitted from them but I was too cheap to buy them.


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