Snow Tire Question
- Thread starter edvanp
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I beleive the rubber compound in snow tires are more inclined to wear faster under warm/hot conditions, as far as hard road conditions, if the tire is cold, the rubber will be harder and operating under its designed conditions. That's why I wait to the last possible day to install and remove soon after that last POSSIBLE snow
J
J
I concurr with the other poster. I contracted at Michelin at one point and actually asked the q of a tire design engineer. They stated the same in basic terms, softer rubber compound that is optimized for winter traction conditions but needs lower temps for proper wear.
Both. Dry conditions will wear snows out faster as will higher temps. I always scoff at those that put them on in September because the temps are like 40 for 1 day...and then go up to 75 and hover around 50 for another couple months. Likewise, those that have them on in July! I agree...wait until the last possible moment to replace/install.
Patman
Staff member
I'm getting mine put on next week, now that I see the forecast calls for sub freezing temps overnight, and daytime highs not much higher than the freezing mark.
I should be getting the rims I need on Monday or Tuesday, so I'll buy the snow tires a day or two after that.
I should be getting the rims I need on Monday or Tuesday, so I'll buy the snow tires a day or two after that.
Patman
Staff member
Most of the guys in my f-body club put their snows on right around now too. I guess I'm just anxious to get it done as I don't want to get caught at work like I did last April when the ice storm hit. Even though I did make it home ok, I still would've felt better if I had better tires on the car.
As of now it looks like it's going to be quite warm next week, with lots of rain. But at the same time, it might be easier to get the snows now than to wait. They could end up being out of stock if I wait too long. Better to be a tad earlier than too late! I also kinda anxious to put them on because I'll be running different rims which will look unique.
As of now it looks like it's going to be quite warm next week, with lots of rain. But at the same time, it might be easier to get the snows now than to wait. They could end up being out of stock if I wait too long. Better to be a tad earlier than too late! I also kinda anxious to put them on because I'll be running different rims which will look unique.
Patman, that's pretty early. The cold temps don't scare me. I usually wait until the second week in Dec...usually around the 12th. Last year, it was earlier than this. And that was with dismounting and re-mounting of the summer/winters! I now have a second set of wheels, so the replacement is a 1/2 hr. thing at most. No big deal to even wait until the morning of the first snowfall...just play it by ear and watch for trends in the week's weather.
Man...you guys definitely don't live in Calgary.
We've got a foot + of snow and the streets are flippin BRUTAL!!!
Snow tires on in December? It was -10c on Halloween night!!!
A little extra wear is a small price to pay for being prepared...ask those, oh 100 000 or so people who kept puttin' it off how much fun driving this last week has been...
We've got a foot + of snow and the streets are flippin BRUTAL!!!
Snow tires on in December? It was -10c on Halloween night!!!
A little extra wear is a small price to pay for being prepared...ask those, oh 100 000 or so people who kept puttin' it off how much fun driving this last week has been...
Patman
Staff member
I saw on the Weather Network all the snow you guys got already, that sucks! At least a Chinook could come through anytime though. We've been lucky, our Halloween gave us 18C temps, even after the sun went down!
From my perspective, snow tire season has hit us early this year and we have yet to see a flake of snow. Normally, this dealership sells maybe 6-8 set of winter tire/wheel pkgs per year and most of those are sold only after the 1st snowfall. This year we've already sold that amount and I've had clients prepaying for these pkgs since late Sept.. Personally, I'm actually looking forward to the first snow. My Winterfires are getting installed on my Volvo next week, and we just purchased Kuhmo I'zenStuds for the Wife's VW Golf. Bring it on!!!
Just ordered a pair of Cooper Weather Master tires for my Cavalier and will let you all know how they do this winter. 50 bux a piece for 195 70R-14. Gonna be prepared this year. Although it doesn't snow that much in central VA, it gets pretty nasty when we get snow. Got a separate set of wheels to mount them on and I'll have them on the car Thanksgiving weekend.
I’m with the school of thought which says the fewer miles on my snow tires (always Nokia Hakkapelitas) the better. So I usually aim for the first week of December … or Thanksgiving weekend which is at the end of November for the seasonal switch. Halloween was unusually warm for us in (usually cold) upstate NY this year … about 65-70F. You could walk around in just a long sleeve shirt if you wanted.
Since I can swap all four on in about hour, I like to wait until the last second before doing so. Usually, I begin to watch weather reports like a hawk about this time of year for that reason. Literally, if I can save just a few hundred miles on my snows by waiting a few more days, I do so.
‘cuz, only two (2) snow tires on a FWD vehicle? If you put them on the rear, you don’t accelerate, steer or stop too well. Putting them on the front? (My guess) Then your car will be tail-happy. Don’t be surprised if your @$$ end comes around on you in the middle of a curve or when you decelerate.
--- Bror Jace
Since I can swap all four on in about hour, I like to wait until the last second before doing so. Usually, I begin to watch weather reports like a hawk about this time of year for that reason. Literally, if I can save just a few hundred miles on my snows by waiting a few more days, I do so.
‘cuz, only two (2) snow tires on a FWD vehicle? If you put them on the rear, you don’t accelerate, steer or stop too well. Putting them on the front? (My guess) Then your car will be tail-happy. Don’t be surprised if your @$$ end comes around on you in the middle of a curve or when you decelerate.
--- Bror Jace
The Cavalier has 4 wheel antilock brakes, so the rear end coming around shouldn't be an issue. I'm not an aggressive driver, either. I don't go faster than 45 mph on snow covered roads. Also, the all season tires on there now have good tread. Just wanted to get better traction on the drive wheels, because sometimes it's a few days before the snow plows come on the side streets. Have done this in the past when I lived in northern WV with good results.
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