Rubes Posted January 4, 2005 Posted January 4, 2005 Just wondering what you all think of having snow tires for the winter. I've heard plenty of arguments both ways. Most seem to think that the average all-weather radial tire is plenty good for the winter, particularly for those with 4WD, but some disagree. What about in areas where the snowfall is pretty heavy? What about FWD vehicles?
sweet baboo Posted January 4, 2005 Posted January 4, 2005 I won't go another winter without snow tires...christmas 2002, my fiance and I get caught up in a huge snowstorm in scranton, PA (trip from NJ back to Rochester) in her FWD Honda Accord which was luckily equipped with Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires...the snow was amazing...whiteout on the 81? anyhow, the snow is really getting ridiculous and looking to the left and right of the highway, basically every car and SUV has pulled over and gotten stuck (looked like a parking lot)...surprisingly, we kept moving without a problem and followed what appeared to be the only vehicles left driving, a pathfinder and grand cherokee (i assume they both had snow tires also since there were other SUVs stuck) through the snow up to the point where the highway just closed...we would've liked to have kept driving but they shut down the highway because when i got out of the car to let my dog pee, the snow was at least 2-3 feet high and my beagle simply disappeared into the snow (he might've taken a crap also, but who knows, i couldn't see that deep into the snow...at least he had privacy)...off of the exit, the cars that were lucky enough to get off and make it to the hotel couldn't climb the snowy/icy incline to get to the parking lot...her FWD accord made it easily besides better snow traction, it also helps with shorter braking distances...if you're insurance deductible is 500 and a set of snows cost you 500, i'd say it's a decent personal insurance policy to pick them up to prevent a possible skidding accident I have AWD (Subaru WRX) and I still go with snow tires...my car is has become the designated winter travel vehicle (even though my fiance also has snows on her FWD car)...I've got a set of Nokian WRs sadly, there's no snow in rochester and it's freaking january for heavier snowfall, i'd look at the studded nokian hakkas...those swedes know how to make a mean snow tire http://www.nokian.com/products_en Snow tires > AWD/4WD snow tires + AWD/4WD = unstoppable
Stussy109 Posted January 4, 2005 Posted January 4, 2005 I'm in opposition to snow tires. I myself have lived in Buffalo for 7yrs now experiencing ice, snow etc. I have gone through two acura cl's, both front wheel drives. I have never had a problem, and even recently christmas eve, i was driving down unplowed roads and highways witha foot of snow on them without too much of a problem. Save the money on the snow tires, and the decreased gas mileage. Just make sure you properly rotate and maintain your all seasons. I have Michelin' MXV4's i think, good all around tire with high performance. You have to figure that the 100+ trips you make this winter, less than 10 trips will be on actual snow covered roads, so prepare for what you will see the most, and that is dry salted roads.
sweet baboo Posted January 4, 2005 Posted January 4, 2005 I also never had snow tires (nor did my parents, but they never really drove anywhere besides the university) and I grew up in Buffalo ...until the Scranton blizzard...luckily then, my fiance always took the approach of being prepared and had her snow tires, otherwise I know without a doubt, we'd be stranded on the side of the road even if we had 4WD the difference is honestly huge...the rubber compound they use in snow tires stays soft in the cold whereas all seasons harden and lose grip more easily...you can't drive like a maniac with them on, but it's still added safety for you and your family in the winter
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