For people that use winter tires

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tommygunn

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Do you use all-seasons during the rest of the year?

The combo I have in mind is Yokohama W.Drive and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric all-season.

We have a real winter where it gets cold, but only 1-2 snow storms per year. I know that winter tires aren't just for snow, but anytime it gets below 40.
 
I use summer tires the rest of the year. No reason to use all-seasons if they never see winter temps.
 
Summer tires April through October (approximately).

The F1 Asymmetric (summer variant, and the original -- not the new "2") is a good tire. I had them on my old Audi S4; Tire Rack loved their wet performance and I can confirm they are very stable and predictable when it's damp or even through deep puddles. The competition definitely beats it for dry performance, but I will gladly trade a small loss in ultimate grip for a big increase in wet grip.

I've never been a huge fan of all-seasons. They're a jack of all trades, but master of none. Basically just mediocre for everything. Only thing they seem to excel in is treadlife, though some of the less-extreme summer tires are offering 30k life, such as that F1 Asymmetric.
 
Originally Posted By: tommygunn
Do you use all-seasons during the rest of the year?

I used to use summers before. Lately I've been using all-seasons, mainly due to their extended treadlife. I don't drive as aggressively as I used to, so their performance is perfectly adequate to my driving.
 
Winter: Michelin X-I3 on the MINI and Latitude X-Ice on the 4x2 Rainier. 5 solid years on the Buick and they're at 6/32". The only winter tire that is both LRR and has a 40k mile warranty. Plus they work well and are quiet.

Summer: Conti Extreme DW on the MINI and Michelin Cross-Terrain a/s on the Rainier. There really aren't any summer tires for the Buick.

The new Pilot Sport a/s 3 from Michelin has me curious since they claim better dry performance than my DW and a 45k mile warranty. I would still run a winter tire under 45 degrees though.
 
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I use all-seasons in the summer but might choose a pure summer tire again in the future. I went with all seasons this time mostly because all seasons are generally cheaper, quieter and last longer.
 
Originally Posted By: tommygunn
Do you use all-seasons during the rest of the year?

The combo I have in mind is Yokohama W.Drive and Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric all-season.

We have a real winter where it gets cold, but only 1-2 snow storms per year. I know that winter tires aren't just for snow, but anytime it gets below 40.


yes. because I want a tire with good tread wear, and decently low NVH.
 
There are true winter tires with a softer compound of rubber that will wear quickly in the summer and M & S tires which many use in the winter also. They have an aggressive tread but can be used year round.
 
On my A4 I have Toyo Proxes winters with Michelin Pilot Sports for summer. Michelins are still holding up with no dry rotting even with a 2006 production date!! On the VW I have Gislav winters with Conti all seasons for warmer weather, although not sure what kind of summer tire I could run that would still be low rolling resistance for the extra MPG's.
 
We dont just have two cars, so I have some luxury of keeping summer tires on the ones that can actually take advantage of summer tires (I know, supposedly 3-season tires resist hydroplane better and all). I then just only use those cars when the temperatures are right.

I personally run all seasons, but ones biased more towards performance, to hopefully close the gap a bit in the tradespace.

Why? Because the reality is that sometimes we see freezing in October, and sometimes we see 70 in January. I dont want to have to worry about that kind of thing, I buy snow tires for when it snows, but dont want to sacrifice them, and more importantly, I dont want to be stuck with a summer tire in a cold or snow spell, and it be damaging to the tire or disastrous to me.

For those who track their DDs regularly, or actually really push the envelope (likely illegally) on the public roads, or those who live in places where the weather is a bit more discrete, the scenarios shift. It is variable and temperate enough that it just does not seem smart for me based upon conditions and my driving style.
 
I prefer to run my "summer" tires more than my winter tires, especially if my winter tires are ice and snow tires rather than performance winter tires because they handle better on dry or wet roads. Therefore I occasionally end up in the occasional early snow or late snow with my "summer" tires on. Therefore I prefer all season tires. Coincidentally I have both a car with true performance summer tires and one with all season tires right now.
 
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and M & S tires which many use in the winter also. They have an aggressive tread but can be used year round.
Aren't all All Season tires labeled M&S?

Here is the M&S (Mud & Snow) spec:
"RMA Snow Tire Definitions for Passenger and Light Truck (LT) Tires"):

1. New tire treads shall have multiple pockets or slots in at least one tread edge that meet the following dimensional requirements based on mold dimensions:

Extend toward the tread center at least 1/2 inch from the footprint edge, measured perpendicularly to the tread centerline.
A minimum cross-sectional width of 1/16 inch.
Edges of pockets or slots at angles between 35 and 90 degrees from the direction of travel.

2. The new tire tread contact surface void area will be a minimum of 25 percent based on mold dimensions. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/tire3.htm

There is no testing for the M&S label. It is only by spec. Yes, often used in snow, and sometimes crashed. The Severe Snow standard for the Snowflake-on-Mountain symbol requires testing to ASTM specs.
 
All seasons Spring-Fall and Winter tires in the winter obviously.
I have had full on summer tires before but they're not needed, they are usually louder and more aggressive, and for a commuter car I could not care less. I just want a quiet ride that is smooth. No more summer tires for me more than likely, unless I get a toy car someday.
 
Originally Posted By: Ken2
................The Severe Snow standard for the Snowflake-on-Mountain symbol requires testing to ASTM specs.


And unfortunately, that testing is only for snow traction, no testing on ice is performed.
 
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