Snow tire question

[dja4260]

I would to purchase some snow tires for my car.

I want to purchase just 2, since its front wheel drive.

Anyone see a problem with doing this?

General Altimax Arctic is the tire in question

 

[dparm]

Yes, there is a huge problem in buying just two. There are some other more lengthy videos, but this one sums it up well.

 

[WishIhadatruck]

The problem with only putting 2 winter tires on a FWD car, assuming you put them on the front, is that your rear tires will have much less grip when cornering. This will lead to your front end following the intended path and your rear end loosing grip and trying to pass the front. If you drive super cautious you might get by, but eventually you stand a good chance of getting caught off guard and losing control. I always use them in sets of 4.

 

[QuietPortage]

Yep. All tires should be matching, whatever you choose.

 

[dja4260]

Ok, that settles it. I cannot afford all 4 at this time. I'll wait until I comfortably can.

Thanks,

 

[dparm]

Originally Posted By: dja4260
Ok, that settles it. I cannot afford all 4 at this time. I'll wait until I comfortably can.

Thanks,



Discount Tire has a lot of sales as October approaches. Often times it will be instant $50 rebate, or even $100. This will stack on top of any manufacturer ones, which there's always at least one of.

 

[dja4260]

Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: dja4260
Ok, that settles it. I cannot afford all 4 at this time. I'll wait until I comfortably can.

Thanks,

Discount Tire has a lot of sales as October approaches. Often times it will be instant $50 rebate, or even $100. This will stack on top of any manufacturer ones, which there's always at least one of.

Yea I was considering using the $50 rebate for 2. The GF would make me sleep in the couch if I dropped $450 on new tires. I can imagine the argument now. "You have a new car w/ new tires" I'll then explain the benefits. "Well isn't my safety important to you, buy them for my car!".

I just can't win!

 

[jdeare]

Are you sure you need snow tires? I also live in Chicago. I had Bridgestone Blizzak WS-70 on my last car (2001 Buick) and I found them almost unbearable on my daily commute (tollway), and then when it did snow, I didn't feel like they were needed. I sold them after one season. With the amount of salt Cook County puts down, combined with the amount of traffic, there aren't all that many times most people would be out driving in deep snow.

Now if you had a RWD car or summer tires, it would be different. But for me, the hassle wasn't worth the reward.

 

[dja4260]

Originally Posted By: jdeare
Are you sure you need snow tires? I also live in Chicago. I had Bridgestone Blizzak WS-70 on my last car (2001 Buick) and I found them almost unbearable on my daily commute (tollway), and then when it did snow, I didn't feel like they were needed. I sold them after one season. With the amount of salt Cook County puts down, combined with the amount of traffic, there aren't all that many times most people would be out driving in deep snow.

Now if you had a RWD car or summer tires, it would be different. But for me, the hassle wasn't worth the reward.


I drive 90/294 daily for most 70% of my commute.....

 

[jdeare]

Snow tires are pretty squishy on the highway because of the sipes (depending on the style you get). I would recommend waiting, personally. You can always get them later if you decide you need them. I might be in the minority on this though.

 

[LeakySeals]

Whats the current status of your tires? If they are on the edge why not buy 2 new replacements online for what you have? Wait till just before the snow flies. Thats what I do. And I break the on-back new rule too

 

[typ901]

Well seeing as we are in the same region/route, you will understand this- I work with a guy who commutes from Kenosha area into Northbrook. He had a beater Oldsmobile that was FWD, and he bought just two snow tires for the front, the Firestone Winterforce. He had no problems, only compliments to how well the combo. worked for him. I get comment about the Blizzak's as our '98 528i had WS-50's and I was not impressed by the highway ride-until we got a good 6" storm my wife got stuck in for 3 hours(plow truck skidded off the road, blocking Route 60).

Try a euro style snow tire v. more hardcore snow & ice style like the Blizzak's are.

 

[supton]

Find your tire size, and shop CL. New is best, but perhaps you can find a decent set already on rims. Speaking of which, I'd spring for a set of steelies to have them on.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: dja4260
Ok, that settles it. I cannot afford all 4 at this time.

Can you afford to pay your insurance deductible instead, if you slide into something/someone?

And FYI, Altimax Arctic are great winter tires and reasonably priced (or at least they used to be when I bought them they were $75 a piece for 215/60/16). Sure, they're a bit softer than all-seasons, but I had zero complaints about them on dry pavement. I run them on my 530i.

 

[dja4260]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: dja4260
Ok, that settles it. I cannot afford all 4 at this time.

Can you afford to pay your insurance deductible instead, if you slide into something/someone?


I've been driving for 11 years in the Chicago land area. I've never had an accident. Paying a $500 deductible for an accident is a necessary expense. Purchasing 4 new tires at $450 + the cost of steel wheels isn't an absolutely necessary expense.

At least in my eyes....

 

[LeakySeals]

I don't speed through cones on test tracks in the snow, I need traction and braking where the weight is. 2 new tires in front just before winter is enough for me.

 

[dparm]

Fair enough, but they will last you many years since they're only on the car from November through April.

 

[Rand]

DTD has 100$ off tires and 100$ off rims.
free road force mount and balance and free shipping.

its not really extra expense its just prepaying for tires..

its also cheaper than one accident deductible and makes winter driving enjoyable instead of "am I going to make it"


The problem with just 2 tires is you will swap ends unexpectedly.

most places wont even sell you 2 due to liability reasons.
(unless you lie)

 

[Quattro Pete]

I suppose you need to figure out how good/bad your all-season tires are in the winter and maybe decide then if you need dedicated winters. Since the car is new, so are the tires, so at least they have plenty of tread left, which should help.

 

[JimPghPA]

You guys got some slide learning to do. And when you find your vehicle sliding uncontrolled on ice, and or see other vehicles sliding uncontrolled on ice and slamming into things you will figure it out.

It ain't about only having to pay the deductible, and the inconvenience of having you vehicle unusable for several weeks. That is only a very small fraction of what it is all about.

It is really about the safety of the humans in your vehicle, in other vehicles, and even the pedestrians.

If you really want to look at some videos, go on youtube and look for some of the ones about vehicles sliding on ice.

I takes less than a minute of driving on ice to bust up you vehicle, and end up in the hospital or dead.

On Wikipedia there are statistics about how many people are killed in the United States and other countries in vehicle accidents each year. I think the latest year listed is 2009, when 33,808 people died in vehicle related accidents. Granted there are many ways vehicles get into deadly or serious accidents, but sliding uncontrolled in the winter is a major part of it.

As for not having the funds, snow tires are one of the few things in life that I consider worth going in debt for if you do not have the funds.