(no subject)

[pictor]

I have never put snow tires on my car, ever since I've been driving my car. I've never felt a need, and I have always harboured a suspicion as their merit, though many would praise them. They are certainly better for traction in snow, but they can actually be worse for traction on ice, so is it a gain? Yes, it probably is, we deal with way more snow and slush than we do sheet ice on the road (especially after the salt trucks have been through).

[Poll #1291425]

Comments

[larmer.livejournal.com]

I have not bought Winter Tires (versus Snow Tires) due to money issues. Still I think they are the right thing for a car in a Canadian Winter. I guess I am being hypocritical.

Where did you learn that they were worst on ice than all seasons?

[dagibbs.livejournal.com]

My understanding is that they're also supposed to be better on ice. Dunno for sure.

[kattale.livejournal.com]

I've always had all-seasons. The few years I had my tiny all-wheel-drive RAV4 was the best ever - what a world of difference for driving in snow - especially up and down hills - we would drive as if on a normal dry street, while cars all around us were spinning tires and sliding back down the hill... that was still with all-seasons.

Now that I have my big heavy mini-van - arg. It slips and slides all over. Last year we couldn't afford winter tires, so I just avoided driving in bad weather - I have a lifestyle where I can do that. This year - client depending - I am absolutely getting winter tires. The RAV4 spoiled me, and I hate going back to no traction. :(

Ice - the answer is - drive painfully slowly. You'll get there. If you can't go slow, stay home. Lives aren't worth whatever you're in a hurry for.

[xiphia.livejournal.com]

I didn't bother with winter tires on the explorer (4x4 truck), but I consider them a necessity on the protege (small car).

[sharikkamur.livejournal.com]

I've currently got all-seasons but they're getting a bit on the old side so I was thinking about changing them this winter. Now that I'm planning to move out of town I'm definitely going to have to replace them but with studdies instead of a new set of all-weathers. The new house is up a hill and sometimes it gets a bit icy up there.

[ms-dionysos.livejournal.com]

I'm a faithful believer in snow/ice tires. Even wih looking for an AWD vehicle, I'll still fork out the money for tires that may buy me that extra split second of traction control.

That said, I have snow tires for sale from the car I'm trading in! If anyone might be interested, check out http://ottawa.en.craigslist.ca/pts/883326459.html :)

Re: Winter tires on Ice

[the-big-cat.livejournal.com]

Winter tires are significantly better on ice than all season tires are. Ultimately it has nothing to do with the tread pattern, and everything to do with the rubber compound used (and in some cases other materials added to the rubber to get more traction.) Snow tires use a compound designed to grip ice and handle cold weather, but which can't handle summer driving temperatures. All season tires use a rubber compound which is designed to handle summer driving temperatures and have longer wear characteristics, but can't grip ice and snow very well.

If you're still not convinced, watch (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGfvyPtYR0Y) these (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Is7xWXxHpI) videos. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ObVLNHk-i4)

always, but

[henrytroup.livejournal.com]

I started using winter tires after finding myself going sideways down Fallowfield Road with nice new all-seasons -- and oncoming traffic. It's an experience I'd rather have passed up on.

But I live in a semi-rural area and drive a lot in winter. At the same time, if you're traveling for SCA, you can't pick your conditions. Get the winter tires. Check ratings, too.