Winter tires for your daily drivers?

Discussion in 'The Bench' started by derek244, Oct 18, 2021.

  1. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    Interesting - My understanding of siping is all those edges are what help w/traction and that it supposedly works very well on wet pavement although maybe better on an all-season tire for summer wet weather.

    Never knew that about the compounds - Most of my tire knowledge is in Med. Duty commercial truck tires where compounds play a big part in wear, etc. Also never knew about storing them in the colder basement - I do store mine under a cover outside (fortunately shaded most of the day but still...). Tbh, when my winter tires get worn down to the point I know I'm going to replace them I've run them through the summer just to get the mileage out of them.
     
    sean Buick 76 likes this.
  2. bobc455

    bobc455 Well-Known Member

    One of my favorite videos on snow tires vs. summer tires and FWD vs. AWD (driving up a ski slope)


    But I wish they would do a better job at emphasizing the steering and braking benefits of snow tires, because that's really the biggest benefit. Let's watch the cars drive DOWN the ski slope...

    -Bob C.
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2021
    Dano likes this.
  3. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    I drive my 2wd pickup year round here in Montana, and we get many, many feet of snow. I just switch to my studded snows and throw about 200 lbs in the bed. If it gets really crazy out I'll get out my 4wd....The way I see it, my grandma drove around a '76 Torino everyday no matter the weather. I think I can handle it in a truck.
     
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  4. derek244

    derek244 Gold Level Contributor

    This is one reason I no longer buy snow tires with the type of tread that the compound is different for the first half of its life, ie Blizzacks.
     
    Dano likes this.
  5. 67 Post GS

    67 Post GS Well-Known Member

    Snows for the old lady and all seasons for me. Made it this far going 40 miles one way to work to Buffalo each day in an 01 Lesabre. Got the truck if I really need it but dont want it to see the weather so it mostly sits in the garage.
     
  6. Fox's Den

    Fox's Den 355Xrs

    I bought rims and tires from Tire Rack had them sent to me ready to go, around 600 bucks with shipping . I use them on my Corolla XRS 6 speed it came with sport tires so I just change all 4 when winter comes.
    I use Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires on all 4 corners I only have frnt wheel drive but on all 4 corners I can stop real good and get going pretty quick, and 1st gear out of that car is tricky.
     
    Dano likes this.
  7. Cnd72sky455

    Cnd72sky455 Well-Known Member

    I've put Michelin X-ice on my and the wife's car for the past 15 years or so and never looked back. Swedish-made Nokian "Hakkas" are also big here in Canada, if price is not a concern. It's all about the best combination of performance/comfort and durability for me, which you won't experience with the cheaper brands. I used Blizzaks earlier on, but I prefer the Michelins overall. Studded winter tires are prohibited here in Ontario, BTW.
     
  8. derek244

    derek244 Gold Level Contributor

    I'm kind of ashamed to say, that for the first time ever I did not put my summer wheels and tires on my car. I just left the winter tires on there because I knew I was getting a new set this fall. I also only drive about 300 miles a month max though
     
    Dano likes this.
  9. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    Makes sense to me to do that - Might as well burn them off @ that point.
     
    derek244 likes this.
  10. BQUICK

    BQUICK Gold Level Contributor

    Years ago I put 4 Blizzacks on my ONE wheel drive 79 LeMans wagon and I looked forward to driving in snow and seeing SUVs off the road in the median.
    Major difference.....
     
    derek244 likes this.
  11. Mister T

    Mister T Just truckin' around

    Mach 1 aug 75 2.jpg Drove this G60 rear tire equipped car through Winnipeg's first major snow event in early December 1975. Ended up with 8-10 inches of powder by midnight. It easily handled everything I asked of it. Got better traction than Volkswagen's, which had ads running at the time touting how great they were in snow. :D Parked it for winter the next day.
     
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  12. Mister T

    Mister T Just truckin' around

    I haven't used dedicated snow tires on any of my vehicles since the 80's disco age.:eek:

    Bought a 73 T-Bird in Feb 1982 which had Uniroyal All Season tires. Sold me on their benefits after just a few days. Major snow events are not that common here. It's the wind whipping smaller amounts into large drifts which create problems. That said, installed a set of All Weather tires on my SUV last fall. I'm now sold on their benefits.

    It's not the tire which makes the safe driver, its the driver making themselves safe by learning how their vehicle handles every situation they'll encounter without panicking.
     
    12lives likes this.
  13. Mister T

    Mister T Just truckin' around

    The so called "truck driver shortage" is a myth. Average driver turnover at any large trucking company runs around 100% per annum. There's a myriad of reasons for this, including, but not limited to, lousy treatment, low pay, unpaid work/miles driven, lengthy time away from home, long hours, forced dispatch, difficulty finding safe overnight parking, government regulations, poor respect, etc., etc., etc....

    The California ports have some of the most restrictive rules concerning trucks and drivers. Just a few years ago, I read of drivers being forced to wait several unpaid hours to get their containers. There's also the recent AB-5 rule which affects independent truck contractors and truck owners, many of which service the LA area ports. Apparently this has driven down their wages, but I haven't drilled deeper into this yet.
     
  14. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    The guy I bought my 66 GS had studded snow tires in the trunk back in the late late 70's when you could get studs legally.
    With the not so steep 3:23 posi out back, I really never got stuck. I felt like I driving a Jeep at 17 years sold:eek::rolleyes:
     
  15. John Codman

    John Codman Platinum Level Contributor

    Suburus best-selling region is New England and the Northeast for just that reason. Ernie Boch made a fortune as the New England distributor of Suburu. He bought the distributorship for a lowball price when practically no-one had ever heard of Suburu. The late Ernie's son Ernie Boch Jr. continues to grow that fortune. He gets a piece of every Suburu sold in New England. For those of you who don't know who Ernie Boch is, he started with a two-bit Rambler dealership and grew it into what is now called the Automile along Rt 1 in Norwood MA. He owned dealerships of at least a half-dozen (probably more) brands. He also owned a seriously ugly $10 million vacation home on Martha's Vineyard and a corporate jet. He had a penchant for thousand-dollar plus suits, and came across as a nice guy. Of course any good car salesman will come across as a nice guy.
     
  16. 1972Mach1

    1972Mach1 Just some M.M.O.G. guy.....

    You can't buy studded tires where you live?
     
  17. JESUPERCAT

    JESUPERCAT No Slow Boat

    Studded Firestone Winterforce here in Maine. My F250 2x4 has 45,000 miles on the 2 winter old set, tread is about 60%. Best winter tires yet for this truck.
    Blizzaks only lasted 2 years and did not compare to the Firestone's, for ride quality and noise let alone mileage.
     
  18. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    Last I heard was about 10 years ago or at least for passenger cars in MA..
    I'm curious now. Studded tires make alot of noise as we know and I remember back in the day if they could limit the studs but balance them over the circumference of the tire. They said it doesn't work that way. That I don't know why..

    Edit: I guess they are now, from the beginning of Nov to the end of April. Surprised they allow till April..
     
  19. PGSS

    PGSS Gold Level Contributor

    Also there are only 6 States that allow studded tires with no restrictions.
     
  20. JESUPERCAT

    JESUPERCAT No Slow Boat

    Maine law studded tire use October 1 through May 1
     
    PGSS likes this.

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