Dedicated snow tire questions?

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Decided to go with the Xi2's. Only one set available in the state of South Dakota in my size. Can be here in two days through a local vendor (7-10 days through Walmart). Should do what I need them to do at an affordable price.
 
I run 2 snow tires on our vehicles in the winter. Most places don't want to sell you only 2. Here's an idea, buy 4 & mount 2 on the drive axle. Change them back to all season in the early spring. This way you will get at least 6 seasons out of your 4 snow tires. Yes, 4 snow tires may go better than 2, but 2 go much better than none. It's best to get your own spare rims & change to the other tires when it's right for you.
 
Originally Posted By: Mr_Joe
I run 2 snow tires on our vehicles in the winter. Most places don't want to sell you only 2. Here's an idea, buy 4 & mount 2 on the drive axle. Change them back to all season in the early spring. This way you will get at least 6 seasons out of your 4 snow tires. Yes, 4 snow tires may go better than 2, but 2 go much better than none. It's best to get your own spare rims & change to the other tires when it's right for you.


4 snow tires are good for keeping the rear end in line on a snowy road. Both cars have 4 snows on them, and still step out a little bit every now and again. With all-seasons on the rears, the cars would have reacted with much greater amounts of oversteer.

It's not about going. It's also turning and stopping.
 
I have used dedicated snow/ice tires.... yes always all 4.... for the last 30 years on our commuter car. Dunlops, Michelins, Yokohama, and a couple of other brands.

I usually put them on around Thanksgiving, but have occasionally put it off until snow arrives, around Christmas, and remove them by April 1.

With a 70 mile round trip commute, they have all lasted 5 or more years - still greatly outperforming all-seasons at that time.

They are all so hugely superior to any all-season tire that I am sure you will love the Michelin Xi-2 tires... and yes we just put some of those on our Corolla.

To the poster that suggested putting them on the front only: If you do so, please limit your top speed - in snow - to 20mph, and do not drive on any roads that I am on!!

Take a grocery cart and push it backwards for a while (caster wheels on the back now) and you can simulate this wild ride!
 
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I agree 4 snow tires are better than 2. I will also state that there are much greater hazards out there with other drivers(& their tires) than me driving around with 2 snow tires mounted.
 
Big hazard with snows on only the front of a front wheel drive car. If you are cornering and need to hit the brakes, expect to pin-wheel. There is little to keep the back behind you. My wife's cousin had exactly that happen to her.

Even on a rear wheel drive car, four snows gives much safer cornering and braking with those snow tires on the front.
 
Short answer is always put on 4 snow tires. Period. Particularly on a front wheel drive car, 2 snows on the front only is a recipe for disaster. Experienced the same result with the bad tires on the rear end of a FWD car on ice. Never again...

I have less of an issue with rear wheel drive with snows on the rear. Our fleet at work more or less did that on rear wheel drive trucks for years.
 
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