Snow/Winter Tires
- Thread starter ClonesFTW
- Start date
HUGE difference on some vehicles.
I had a front wheel drive car that had 18" "Summer Only" tires and it would literally not move on an inch of snow. I put dedicated snow tires on it and it was one of the best vehicles I had ever driven in the snow. The other good side is that it's less wear on your expensive tires. I ended up just getting some from tire rack that included a basic black steel wheel. I wouldn't have done it without buying there own wheel.
What a lot of people don't realize is that those summer only tires are even bad in cold weather not just snow.
What kind of car? What tires/size do you have right now?
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Even AWD. Suburau WRX is a perfect example of a car that's worthless in the snow with performance based tires but an animal with all weather.
If it hasn't been fun so far with the weather we've had this year, you should probably scrap the car altogether & get something with 4wd. We've had what, 2 snow 'storms' this year?
My first couple vehicles were RWD & I never had any major issues (even as a teen still learning how to drive).
My first couple vehicles were RWD & I never had any major issues (even as a teen still learning how to drive).
In Spokane they are uber important. But sadly studded snows are still legal and our streets are trashed year-round.
For me (and many) all-season tires do NOT substitute for winter-only tires.
For me (and many) all-season tires do NOT substitute for winter-only tires.
My Jeep is worthless unless I'm in 4WD. Driving the rear only leads to a lot of fishtailing and difficulty turning.
I did invest in some cheap all season tires and an extra set of rims for winter on my 2 Wheel FWD.
The summer only tires I use in summer have trouble when the temp goes below 40 degrees, lol.
The summer only tires I use in summer have trouble when the temp goes below 40 degrees, lol.
Yeah I had a Ford Ranger that weighed under 3,000 lbs and while it wasn't the best at driving in the winter, I would of never considered upgrading tires to make it easier. They would come in handy what, less than 5 times a year? Seems like a waste to me.
well worth it for me. Can notice a big difference when trying to stop in a slippery, snow covered road. I'll see cars in front of me slide and fish tail and I stop without it.
snow tires are worth every penny! big fan of tire rack. great recommendations, good prices, get them balanced on some cheap wheels that get beat up in winter anyway, and you're good to go.
Mine were a '77 Pontiac Ventura and an '85 Chevy half ton pickup. I put sand bags in the back of the truck once or twice, but even without them got around just fine (without fancy stuff like traction control & anti-lock brakes even).
I don't think people realize how bad some of these tires are in the winter. I've had a lot of RWD cars in my life including sports cars that we're challenging but fine but trying to drive with summer only tires is no joke. The first snow we had that year was less than 3 inches and the neighbor kids had to push me 3 times in one block and then had to push me into the garage because of my 5% incline driveway.
I drive a newer Mustang that came with "performance" summer tires. I bought the car knowing there would be a few days in the winter that sucked and that's ok. It does seem like a lot of you confirm winter tires are worth having.
It's not just for snow, and someone else mentioned the different blend of rubber stays more pliable and grippy at low temps. The winter tires will offer better traction than summer/all-season even on a clear road when the temps are below freezing.
It really depends on the vehicle and how much use you will see out of them. I'm guessing it's probably a car if you're getting wheels and tires for $1000. If your current tires are getting worn, I'd just go for a decent all season when the time comes. It's probably a waste of money for how often we have snow storms.
That being said, mine is going in on Thursday to get a set of Cooper AT3s to run on my stock wheels during the winter. The Hankook Ventus STs on my other set of wheels weren't really cutting it, even with 4WD. They are a directional performance/summer tire and are absolute crap in the snow.
Did you have issues getting around the last couple days?
That being said, mine is going in on Thursday to get a set of Cooper AT3s to run on my stock wheels during the winter. The Hankook Ventus STs on my other set of wheels weren't really cutting it, even with 4WD. They are a directional performance/summer tire and are absolute crap in the snow.
Did you have issues getting around the last couple days?
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Yeah, I can understand that. I've never had to experience 'summer' tires I guess since every (used) vehicle I've ever bought came with cheap, generic 'all-purpose' tires, & those have always performed fine.
Some of them are awful. I got stuck in a 1 ft snow drift yesterday in a 4WD Grand Cherokee.
Made it to work and back but there were definitely a couple slow starts to get moving after stopping on an incline. Starting to lean more towards the investment for the peace of mind and/or protection against embarrassment of getting stuck somewhere around town.
... But it sure is fun in the summer! Lol