Honest question.. since I have driven jeeps or trucks through the Ohio snow since I received a license, and parked the toys in the winter.. what is wrong with All-Terrain tires for daily driven vehicles? Especially if they are seasonal. Snow tires are great but why not take the tread leap up for some decent AT's? Heck my last (insert many vehicles here) on lifted suspension performed great with many enjoyable miles. Is it size limitations on size or do consumers see those lugs and think "oh no"
Yup, I was sold after the 1st set I bought. I took that car places it never should've made it just trying to get stuck & couldn't. I already liked driving in snow and after getting those tires looked for every opportunity to do so - I have a 4WD pickup & much prefer driving the car w/winter tires in the snow.
Not usually one to advocate for more gov't regs but I'd like to see it mandated that products sold online indicate the Country of Origin. In the store you can see it on the package but not usually online. I could be wrong but I think that would go a long way to reducing Chinese imports.
All terrians are better than normal road tires but they dont hold a candle to a decent set of snows. I usually make do with ATs but put snows on the wife's tiguan. Her VW historical puts whatever I'm driving to shame- my JK, my 3/4 ton diesel and I'm sure it'll be better than my "new" 93 fullsize blazer...... The big difference between the two is when you're traveling on a snow covered road at speed. The snows have twice the traction
Agree Joe. I was truly amazed the 1st time I drove on them. Cranking the wheel back and forth on a snow covered road it just tracked. Stopping was also incredibly not much difference than a wet road. I wish we got more snow here. It's hardly worth having them but they're so much fun when it does snow.
Berthoud Pass in Colorado and another road near Tahoe CA?NV. I also believe that their are other mountain passes in Colorado that require one or the other or both. When I lived in Massachusetts I always put the best snow tires that I could find on our drivers.
Awesome, thanks Joe and Dano. I’ve never had a set of dedicated snow tires (I’m sure that was obvious). Appreciate the input.
I'd recommend that everyone get 4 anyhow. FWD cars NEED them on the rear because of the huge benefits for braking and steering. Oh yeah... that applies to 4WD & AWD cars too - the reason you guys need snow tires is for braking and steering. 4WD is nice for accelerating, but the safety comes from braking and steering. -BC
I will 2nd (3rd, 4th, 5th??) the need for winter tires for us that live in a snowy winter climate. I once owned a 2010 Subaru Outback (6 speed manual!) and I had winter tires installed. Oh my!! My cousin passed away and I was the chosen driver to go to Kentucky from Ohio on a very, very snowy February day. I went through 10" of snow, at a speed that was way too fast, and didn't slip a wheel. Those in KY know how they plow down there...almost non-existent. The Blizzak's made it a non event.
For over 40 years I have had Studded Snow Tires on at least 2 of my cars at a time . Just wore out my last set on my Silverado 2500 plow truck last winter and have been looking since June for another set . Just ordered another set of Studable tires and when they get here I have a place that will stud them . They go on their own wheels so I just have to swap them . Wife's Blazer has a set that is only 2 years old so shes good to go . I've NEVER gotten stuck . Even in a 34 inches snowstorm
I daily drive an 03 Mach 1 Mustang with a manual for 10 years in Alberta, the winter setup was studded winters in the rear and non studded winters in the front. That was fun to drive every day no matter the weather, controllable drifting everywhere, all dependent on how much throttle and easy to straighten out. When asked by coworkers how I drove it to work I would just answer “sideways”.
When I drove my XJS in the DC ice and snow (not by choice) I added several ammo cases full of tire weights in the trunk! That and posi really helped!
Craigslist is your friend, or at least it is here. I've bought all my winter tires off of there, and am currently buying a set of 2 year old 16" Blizzaks for $50 tonight. Just go to the wheel and tire section and type in "snow" or "winter". I've got 85 results just in my city.
I have sold many sets on CL myself. There was a period of time that my wife would trade cars in every couple of years, and of course they would have different size tires on them . That and combined with the fact that I apparently replace snow tires well before they wear out, (Don't judge, we all have our quirks) we have passed them along on the used market.
I know a board member in Calgary that drives a 2WD pickup year round w/Blizzaks and has never gotten stuck.
I meant drives the truck year round (i.e. 2WD in winter) - He changes the tires. That said, I could see them wearing faster but how would it ruin the compound? Seems like all the siping would be good in wet weather as well.
Siping (on a snow tire) is intended to grab snow, and won't really do much for water. Water will go through the larger channels but not really much in the sipes. The rubber compound used for winter tires is very different than an "all-season" tire compound. Basically think of oils (and other short-chain molecules blah science blah blah) which are normally suspended in the rubber, which leach out over time (and is highly accelerated at increased temperatures, especially if the tire is being flexed by driving). The rubber in snow tires likes to stay really cold. Also that's why snow tires should be stored in a basement instead of outside in a hot shed, if at all possible. -Bob C.
