Are winter tires "worth it"?
- Thread starter Ws6
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The glare ice under it was the problem. I could barely walk across the road on the flat sections without falling due to the slope of the crown of it. This thing made it up 30% inclines with turns at the bases.
I bought an inexpensive set of Dunlop Graspic snows mounted on steel wheels from Tire Rack 20+ years ago for my Subaru. They felt like I was using a cheat code. Those tires on that car took all of the stress out of being on the roads if it was necessary. It was almost fun.
I will never not recommend getting actual snow tires if someone feels there may be a need for them.
I will never not recommend getting actual snow tires if someone feels there may be a need for them.
The real question is will you survive going to a 19 year old ICE vehicle from your fancy new electric thing? Will you let it warm up? Does it burn or leak any oil? What will your oil choice an OCI be?
One accident due to insufficient tires will cost you more than a set of winter tires that last 5 or so winters.
Of course I let it warm up.
It loses about 1/2 quart every 3K miles.
I change the oil every time the oil life meter gets to around 25-30%. I use Valvoline 5-30 (what it takes) Full Synthetic High Mileage and Mobil 1 filter.
I don't care what they cost, I am just wondering if they will fix the fact that it's only FWD.
FWD with winter tires will do better than AWD with all seasons.
IMO: Conti dws arent "good all seasons" they are good for a UHP in the snow.
Conti lx25 are good all-season tires.
In most winter weather situations, winter tires provide better predictable handling.
starting from a stop on a huge hill awd vs fwd ... AWD can be a little more impactful esp if the awd has decent tires.
They will make the fwd as good as it can be. will be it as good as AWD starting from a stop on a steep hill.. well depends on the AWD tires.
will it be better on the highway at 45mph with blowing snow.. possibly.
Will it be better than a subaru on OEM tires.. definitely**
**disclaimer only for non wilderness models without yokohama geolandar at g015
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edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Precisely. I was just backing up in the garage, and my driveway is facing north, so it still has ice and snow that was packed by kids sledding before I managed to snow blow it. With DWS, any ga input, the car will slide left or right. With winter tires, that never happens.
DWS, Pilot AS4, etc., are good tires to bridge this period of some snow, then warm spells, etc. Once mid November or end hits, it is only snow tire time.
My 0.02
If you drive in full on winter conditions for couple months or longer a year then winter tires are a must, if only a couple weeks or less then all weather tires will do the job while adjusting driving speed and habits a little more carefully.
General Tire (subsidiary of Continental) has a couple of very good all weather tires, Goodyear WeatherReady is a good tire, Nokian, Firestone and a few more make good all weather tires.
If you drive in full on winter conditions for couple months or longer a year then winter tires are a must, if only a couple weeks or less then all weather tires will do the job while adjusting driving speed and habits a little more carefully.
General Tire (subsidiary of Continental) has a couple of very good all weather tires, Goodyear WeatherReady is a good tire, Nokian, Firestone and a few more make good all weather tires.
The AWD SUV the wife drives came with high performance summer tires, so it gets real winter tires when winter arrives. It's snowing right now, so they are already making a difference for the season. The 4Runner and Dually have 3PMS A/T tires, which work pretty well in snow, but I wouldn't compare them to actual winter tires. The sportscar and sport coupe will hibernate in the garage until warmer weather returns.
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This thread has unfolded like a “should I get an extended warranty” thread.
Yay sayers abound, naysayers absent.
Only a few replies say that it depends.
Nobody disagrees that snow > x climate > a/s > summer only, in snow and ice.
Should a person get them? It depends.
Yay sayers abound, naysayers absent.
Only a few replies say that it depends.
Nobody disagrees that snow > x climate > a/s > summer only, in snow and ice.
Should a person get them? It depends.
Depends on where you live and whether or not you must drive in inclement weather. True winter tires make a huge difference in snow/ice. While I lived in upstate NY, I once had to drive to an airport in a big snowstorm with the roads not yet plowed. Had Bridgestone Blizzaks on my sporty FWD Ford Probe GT. Made it there and back with no issues. Passed many SUV's struggling to make it up hills, saw others in ditches. On the return trip, the roads were plowed but covered in packed snow. The traction was incredible, felt better than all-seasons in the rain. I was the fastest car on the road. A few years later, the snow came early before I had a chance to put on my winter set. I could not make it out of the driveway with half worn all-seasons.
without a doubt 4 SNOW tyres are best you go better as well as STOP BETTER. put them on a dedicated set of wheels + narrower is BETTER!! in my lowly 2001 jetta i would PASS struggling 4WD + AWD vehicles with all season BUT winter tyres in Pa snow of years gone by
Agree..we haven't had a harsh winter in nearly a decade. 15-20yrs ago it would be worth it. Now we enjoy 60s in the middle of November.20 years ago for Phila., I would say no question it's the right thing and necessary. But isn't it strange to put 4 snows on the car, and to have no snow at all, for consecutive years? Now, how is it justified anymore? Grinding expensive tires into the pavement, while having poor cornering and wet and dry performance? Superior performance in snow and ice, which there isn't any of
Net net if there is snow, yes. But it would seem many places that normally got snow growing up, do not, any longer.
Even 20 years ago, people with full summer tires, car owners would put A/S on in the winter, due to a lack of snow. And we snow tire advocates would say that's just wrong. But in 2024, is it?
Yes. I had 2WD Silverado in Buffalo and got around just fine, Bridgestone Blizzaks.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
I like arguments: adjust speed, don’t go out etc.
It is like my neighborhood facebook page. Every November someone asks: do I need snow tire? 99% of answers: just stay home (bcs. that is always option, especially if having a job), drive slow etc.
Snow comes, and all those that recommend staying home post on Facebook: “I just got back from Wal Mart. Roads are horrendous. Stay home.”
Then someone asks: “why did you gk to Wal Mart in such a bad weather?” Answer: “this is free country, I can do whatever I want.”
It is like my neighborhood facebook page. Every November someone asks: do I need snow tire? 99% of answers: just stay home (bcs. that is always option, especially if having a job), drive slow etc.
Snow comes, and all those that recommend staying home post on Facebook: “I just got back from Wal Mart. Roads are horrendous. Stay home.”
Then someone asks: “why did you gk to Wal Mart in such a bad weather?” Answer: “this is free country, I can do whatever I want.”
My dad has always had a full set of snow tyres for his faster cars but left all seasons on his dailys. But then again it’s in central Indiana where it’s very flat
My FWD grand caravan made it through the winter last year in southern Indiana (more hilly) but in deep snow up hills it was sketchy and would not go any faster than 55mph without spinning the drive wheels
My FWD grand caravan made it through the winter last year in southern Indiana (more hilly) but in deep snow up hills it was sketchy and would not go any faster than 55mph without spinning the drive wheels
