snow tire or all season tires for winter?
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snow tire or all season tires for winter?
as topic stated which setup should i get? i know all 4 snow tires would be best recommended but is it needed and worth it? this is for chicago weather and i street park this so there will be snow and ice from time to time.
4 new yoko Ice Guard snow tires $500
or
4 new yoko HS4 all season $300
or
2 new yoko Ice guard and 2 new yoko HS4 $400
4 new yoko Ice Guard snow tires $500
or
4 new yoko HS4 all season $300
or
2 new yoko Ice guard and 2 new yoko HS4 $400
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (AlienKrOZ)
Whatever you get, you need to get four matching tires, all four the same model. It's a big mistake to get different kinds of tires on the front from in the back, as it can make your car's handling unpredictable and generally poor.
Do you plan to use these tires ONLY during the winter, or all year round?
If only in the winter, get winter tires. (They're usually called winter tires, not snow tires, because they are more effective in frigid temperatures, even when the roads are dry.)
If you need to use the same tires the rest of the year as in the winter, then get all-season tires (even though they won't grip as well in winter as winter tires, and they won't grip as well the rest of the year as summer tires).
Because all-season tires are such a compromise, you might want to consider getting a second set of wheels (if you don't already have one) so that you can get real winter tires.
Those are not the best winter tires, and those prices sound very high. You may want to look into getting tires from the Tire Rack or Discount Tire instead. What kind of car do you have (model, year, version) and what diameter wheels?
P.S. I have a friend in Milwaukee who has a set of slightly used Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 in 195/55-15 for sale, if that size works for you...
Do you plan to use these tires ONLY during the winter, or all year round?
If only in the winter, get winter tires. (They're usually called winter tires, not snow tires, because they are more effective in frigid temperatures, even when the roads are dry.)
If you need to use the same tires the rest of the year as in the winter, then get all-season tires (even though they won't grip as well in winter as winter tires, and they won't grip as well the rest of the year as summer tires).
Because all-season tires are such a compromise, you might want to consider getting a second set of wheels (if you don't already have one) so that you can get real winter tires.
Those are not the best winter tires, and those prices sound very high. You may want to look into getting tires from the Tire Rack or Discount Tire instead. What kind of car do you have (model, year, version) and what diameter wheels?
P.S. I have a friend in Milwaukee who has a set of slightly used Bridgestone Blizzak LM-22 in 195/55-15 for sale, if that size works for you...
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (nsxtasy)
that price is for 205/45/16 cause i just want to throw them on my wheels now. if i can find a buyer for these wheels i just bought less then 2 weeks im willing to spend the money on winter tires just not right now cause my grandparents leaving for China in 2weeks and im giving them some spending money. how much your friend asking for those tires? do they have wheels with them?
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (AlienKrOZ)
If you lived on the other side of lake michigan where you get the snow machine, then it's a consideration, but not in Chicago. In Chicago, winter tires are not worth it. I'm from chicago and had performance blizzak LM-25's based on some recommendations and they did no better than my allseasons in the snow. If you go with the true winter tire like WS-50, then be aware of the major ride issues...feels like you're driving on mush. I felt like I was sacraficing major dry traction quality for only a slight gain in snow traction. Note tire siping helps in ice but hurts your dry traction. Therefore if you're mainly driving on dry roads, stick with a good set of allseasons and you'll be happier.
Also note at the fringes of the season where youre driving on warmer weather, performance winters, and regular winters get even more mushier.
Several people in this forum swear by winter tires and are very aggressive about promoting them.....just be aware.
Also note at the fringes of the season where youre driving on warmer weather, performance winters, and regular winters get even more mushier.
Several people in this forum swear by winter tires and are very aggressive about promoting them.....just be aware.
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (CardDealer)
i drive on michelin x-ice or my yokohama f721 in the winter because of the ice that we get in washington..and that is my only concern... ihave summer wheels and tires for summer and my winter package for winter...it doesn't hurt to be safe than sorry
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (CardDealer)
Originally Posted by AlienKrOZ
that price is for 205/45/16 cause i just want to throw them on my wheels now. if i can find a buyer for these wheels i just bought less then 2 weeks im willing to spend the money on winter tires just not right now cause my grandparents leaving for China in 2weeks and im giving them some spending money. how much your friend asking for those tires? do they have wheels with them?
Sorry about my comment on the price - most of us buy 14" and 15" sizes for winter tires. The best winter tires don't seem to come in 16" sizes suitable for our cars, so you're stuck with whatever you can get. It might be worth it for you to pick up a set of steel wheels for winter use - either used, or new as part of a set with tires. For example, you can get a set of 185/65-14 Michelin X-Ice tires on steel wheels new at the Tire Rack, $71 each for the tires and $38 each for the wheels. They include mounting and balancing at no charge when you buy a set of wheels and tires.
Originally Posted by CardDealer
bad advice deleted
Here in Chicago, where I live, cold weather in winter is the norm. In the middle of the winter, the average high is below freezing, and the average low is in the low teens. Below zero temperatures are common; in fact, in half the winters in Chicago, the mercury plunges to -10 degrees F or colder. Our record cold temperature is -27 F. Even on more normal days, when it's in the teens or twenties, winter tires will give you much, much, MUCH better traction than all-season tires - even when the roads are not covered with snow.
You can see the difference in performance between winter tires and all-season tires in this tire test conducted in a skating rink, which notes, "the results show the substantial advantage winter tires have over all-season and summer tires on ice. The look of dismay on the drivers' faces when they were waiting for the summer and all-season tires to accelerate on the ice was unmistakable. Their patience was put to the test as they slowly completed their frustrating runs. However, those frowns were quickly replaced by smiles and satisfaction when driving on the dedicated winter tires."
Again, I live in Chicago. I know what the weather here is like. And I know what driving on different tires in winter is like. All-seasons won't give you anywhere near what you can get out of winter tires to deal with the frigid cold or the snow and ice. No way, no how.
Originally Posted by CardDealer
Several people in this forum swear by winter tires and are very aggressive about promoting them.....just be aware.
Modified by nsxtasy at 6:46 PM 12/4/2006
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (nsxtasy)
Chicago recieves a few good snows a year, but most of the time you're on dry plowed pavement in the 20's. There is no reason you should be trading so much performance on dry roads for the few snows we get a year. My blizzaks broke traction on dry pavement so much more easily than my allseasons. They sure as hell handled like crap and made the car feel less in control more of the time.
This test shows how the winters do worse on dry pavement.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...id=22
It's tireracks only test of winters on dry pavement.
Canadians = winter tires
Mountains = winter tires
rural areas with poor plowing = either...roll the dice
lake effect areas = most likely winter tires
Chicago = all seasons
This test shows how the winters do worse on dry pavement.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...id=22
It's tireracks only test of winters on dry pavement.
Canadians = winter tires
Mountains = winter tires
rural areas with poor plowing = either...roll the dice
lake effect areas = most likely winter tires
Chicago = all seasons
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (CardDealer)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CardDealer »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
This test shows how the winters do worse on dry pavement.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...id=22
It's tireracks only test of winters on dry pavement.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Ya, the test really doesn't mention the temperature of the road. Everyone will agree that in warm temperatures winter tires should not be used, however that is not what is being discussed here, we are talking about in winter.
That report was written in mid October and in the pictures you can clearly see some really green grass which leads me to believe that it was very warm outside, i.e. not winter.
From www.weather.ca
Chicago:
Days where the temperature reached below freezing:
November: 17
December: 27
January: 29
Feburary: 25
March: 21
There are a lot more stats on that webpage but I don't feel like converting tons of degrees C to degrees F
This test shows how the winters do worse on dry pavement.
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/...id=22
It's tireracks only test of winters on dry pavement.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Ya, the test really doesn't mention the temperature of the road. Everyone will agree that in warm temperatures winter tires should not be used, however that is not what is being discussed here, we are talking about in winter.
That report was written in mid October and in the pictures you can clearly see some really green grass which leads me to believe that it was very warm outside, i.e. not winter.
From www.weather.ca
Chicago:
Days where the temperature reached below freezing:
November: 17
December: 27
January: 29
Feburary: 25
March: 21
There are a lot more stats on that webpage but I don't feel like converting tons of degrees C to degrees F
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (sleeper101)
just as old man neri and nsxtasy has stated above winter tires are want you need in the type of conditions you are in...there are going to do what you need....especially in cold temperatures as you are in.......summer tire's and allseason tires are not the best tire's when it comes to cold tempertures( ice and snow)....... 
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (CardDealer)
Here's what the Tire Rack website says about it:
Originally Posted by Tire Rack website
But Do I Really Need Winter Tires?
The primary concern that our customers express is that they don't want to get "stuck" in the snow (or in the ditch) during the winter.
While in cities like Atlantic City, Memphis and Seattle located at the extreme edges of the snow belt, relatively new All-Season tires will probably work just fine. But the odds change as you move further into the snow belt or the All-Season tires have a few years of wear on them. And who wants to gamble...especially when their collision deductible and future insurance premiums are on the table.
We all know that tires are a compromise. One tire can't be the fastest on the track, most controllable in the snow, and longest wearing. The Ultra High Performance tire that grips the track with tread temperatures of 200° is incompetent as its tread compound becomes like "hard plastic" at below 32°. Today's 80,000-mile tires require tread designs and compounds that maximize long, even wear... not winter traction. And while many of today's all-season tires (Original Equipment, touring and performance) address some of these issues, they still emphasize longer wear, a quieter ride or greater performance...not winter traction.
Only winter tires are designed to excel in the colder temperatures, slush, snow and ice that many parts of the country experience for three or more months a year.
Won't All-Season Tires Work Just Fine?
By design, All-Season tires are a compromise intended to provide acceptable traits under a wide variety of conditions. However, that compromised goal prevents them from being a master of any one of them. The All-Season tire tread designs and compounds that are engineered to provide extended mileages and durability under the summer's sun are less effective in winter's freezing temperatures, and through snow and on ice. Specific winter tires deliver much better snow and ice performance than All-Season tires because their tread designs and tread compounds are engineered to master those conditions, while summer tires are engineered to deliver better handling in the rain and on dry roads. Why not have the best tires for each of the conditions you'll encounter?
Why Four Winter Tires? I Thought I Would Only Need Two.
Today's winter tires are better at providing ice and snow traction than ever before. The technology used to develop the tread designs and tread compounds has evolved beyond what you may have used previously. Every one of our tire manufacturers and 7 out of 10 vehicle manufacturers recommend four winter tires be used on rear wheel, front wheel or four wheel drive vehicles. This is because if you use two dissimilar types of tires on your vehicle, you'll have a vehicle that has a "split" personality. One end of the vehicle won't react and perform the same as the other in the dry, wet, slush and snow conditions you'll encounter before the end of winter. Especially in emergency situations, you'll find that your vehicle will probably understeer in one condition and oversteer in another. It is preferable to keep your vehicles handling as consistently as possible by "matching" all four tires. Our customers who have matched their tires tell us they're glad they made the extra investment in four winter tires (and wheels) so they can accelerate, brake, handle and better control their vehicle through winter's challenges.
The primary concern that our customers express is that they don't want to get "stuck" in the snow (or in the ditch) during the winter.
While in cities like Atlantic City, Memphis and Seattle located at the extreme edges of the snow belt, relatively new All-Season tires will probably work just fine. But the odds change as you move further into the snow belt or the All-Season tires have a few years of wear on them. And who wants to gamble...especially when their collision deductible and future insurance premiums are on the table.
We all know that tires are a compromise. One tire can't be the fastest on the track, most controllable in the snow, and longest wearing. The Ultra High Performance tire that grips the track with tread temperatures of 200° is incompetent as its tread compound becomes like "hard plastic" at below 32°. Today's 80,000-mile tires require tread designs and compounds that maximize long, even wear... not winter traction. And while many of today's all-season tires (Original Equipment, touring and performance) address some of these issues, they still emphasize longer wear, a quieter ride or greater performance...not winter traction.
Only winter tires are designed to excel in the colder temperatures, slush, snow and ice that many parts of the country experience for three or more months a year.
Won't All-Season Tires Work Just Fine?
By design, All-Season tires are a compromise intended to provide acceptable traits under a wide variety of conditions. However, that compromised goal prevents them from being a master of any one of them. The All-Season tire tread designs and compounds that are engineered to provide extended mileages and durability under the summer's sun are less effective in winter's freezing temperatures, and through snow and on ice. Specific winter tires deliver much better snow and ice performance than All-Season tires because their tread designs and tread compounds are engineered to master those conditions, while summer tires are engineered to deliver better handling in the rain and on dry roads. Why not have the best tires for each of the conditions you'll encounter?
Why Four Winter Tires? I Thought I Would Only Need Two.
Today's winter tires are better at providing ice and snow traction than ever before. The technology used to develop the tread designs and tread compounds has evolved beyond what you may have used previously. Every one of our tire manufacturers and 7 out of 10 vehicle manufacturers recommend four winter tires be used on rear wheel, front wheel or four wheel drive vehicles. This is because if you use two dissimilar types of tires on your vehicle, you'll have a vehicle that has a "split" personality. One end of the vehicle won't react and perform the same as the other in the dry, wet, slush and snow conditions you'll encounter before the end of winter. Especially in emergency situations, you'll find that your vehicle will probably understeer in one condition and oversteer in another. It is preferable to keep your vehicles handling as consistently as possible by "matching" all four tires. Our customers who have matched their tires tell us they're glad they made the extra investment in four winter tires (and wheels) so they can accelerate, brake, handle and better control their vehicle through winter's challenges.
Originally Posted by CardDealer
Chicago recieves a few good snows a year, but most of the time you're on dry plowed pavement in the 20's.
Originally Posted by CardDealer
This test shows how the winters do worse on dry pavement.
Please stop posting bad advice on this forum. The simple fact remains: Winter tires are much better than all-seasons in the cold weather typical of winters in Chicago.
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (nsxtasy)
thanks for all the advice. still just deciding on should i spend the few extra bucks to buy some 14 or 15 wheels to slap the winter tires on or just stick with all season.
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (AlienKrOZ)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AlienKrOZ »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thanks for all the advice. still just deciding on should i spend the few extra bucks to buy some 14 or 15 wheels to slap the winter tires on or just stick with all season.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Again, if you're using these tires only in winter, then get winter tires (and it will be a whole lot easier for you in the future if you get an extra set of wheels). If you're going to use these tires all year round, then get all-season tires.
All-season tires are a compromise for folks who need to use the same tires in the winter weather as the rest of the year. Again, they're not as good as winter tires in the winter, and they're not as good as summer tires the rest of the year. But many people, particularly those who don't care that much about performance, are willing to trade off year-round performance for the convenience of using the same tires year round (as well as not having to buy and store the extra set of wheels/tires).
If you do decide to get all-season tires for year-round use on your 16" wheels, then I recommend the Kumho Ecsta ASX. The Tire Rack sells these tires in the 205/45-16 size for $67 each, and then you can get a $40 rebate from Kumho through the end of the month. You will also have to pay for shipping (~$50) but not sales tax, and you will need to get them mounted and balanced by a shop in your area. Mounting and balancing four tires typically costs $40-80. In our area, Wal-Mart has reasonably low prices for mounting and balancing tires brought in to them and does a decent job.
Again, if you're using these tires only in winter, then get winter tires (and it will be a whole lot easier for you in the future if you get an extra set of wheels). If you're going to use these tires all year round, then get all-season tires.
All-season tires are a compromise for folks who need to use the same tires in the winter weather as the rest of the year. Again, they're not as good as winter tires in the winter, and they're not as good as summer tires the rest of the year. But many people, particularly those who don't care that much about performance, are willing to trade off year-round performance for the convenience of using the same tires year round (as well as not having to buy and store the extra set of wheels/tires).
If you do decide to get all-season tires for year-round use on your 16" wheels, then I recommend the Kumho Ecsta ASX. The Tire Rack sells these tires in the 205/45-16 size for $67 each, and then you can get a $40 rebate from Kumho through the end of the month. You will also have to pay for shipping (~$50) but not sales tax, and you will need to get them mounted and balanced by a shop in your area. Mounting and balancing four tires typically costs $40-80. In our area, Wal-Mart has reasonably low prices for mounting and balancing tires brought in to them and does a decent job.
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (nsxtasy)
if im going all season then im for sure going with the yoko HS4 for $69/piece. the HS4 compared to the ASX is much more better all year round. i drove both tires in snow, rain, and dry and felt the HS4 is much more worth it for the extra $2. but the $40 rebate is tempting me now too 
. and im gonna stick with these wheels if im gonna go all season. if i go winter im gonna get an extra set of 14 or 15 wheels for those. i was an exemployee at top speed so i can get these mounted and balanced for free.
. and im gonna stick with these wheels if im gonna go all season. if i go winter im gonna get an extra set of 14 or 15 wheels for those. i was an exemployee at top speed so i can get these mounted and balanced for free.
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (AlienKrOZ)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AlienKrOZ »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thanks for all the advice. still just deciding on should i spend the few extra bucks to buy some 14 or 15 wheels to slap the winter tires on or just stick with all season.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Just get winter tires on steelies. It doesn't actually cost that much more once you do the math. Both sets of tires you buy (for the summer and the winter) will now last twice as long because you use each set only half the year. So in effect you are not spending more on rubber on a per year basis or a per mile basis. As for the steel rims well it just makes life easier. It will save your from remounting tires all the time and when you change cars you can just sell the steel wheels and get a good chunk of your change back. Just my 0.02
Cheers.
Just get winter tires on steelies. It doesn't actually cost that much more once you do the math. Both sets of tires you buy (for the summer and the winter) will now last twice as long because you use each set only half the year. So in effect you are not spending more on rubber on a per year basis or a per mile basis. As for the steel rims well it just makes life easier. It will save your from remounting tires all the time and when you change cars you can just sell the steel wheels and get a good chunk of your change back. Just my 0.02
Cheers.
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (AlienKrOZ)
If you're still trying to decide, I've had very good luck with BFgoodrich allseasons in the snow.
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1824985
This thread above also gives another guy who's had good experience with them....and also jumped all over.
Note if you do any researching elsewhere on the net, there are sites that decribe the cons of using winter tires in a climate that varies in temp and doesnt recieve that much snow. I'd recommend checking them out through a google search. Most all sites that recommend the winter tires are from Canada, Alaska, far northeast, or areas with lake effect.
Modified by CardDealer at 4:46 AM 12/7/2006
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread/1824985
This thread above also gives another guy who's had good experience with them....and also jumped all over.
Note if you do any researching elsewhere on the net, there are sites that decribe the cons of using winter tires in a climate that varies in temp and doesnt recieve that much snow. I'd recommend checking them out through a google search. Most all sites that recommend the winter tires are from Canada, Alaska, far northeast, or areas with lake effect.
Modified by CardDealer at 4:46 AM 12/7/2006
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (CardDealer)
Winter tires are better than all-season tires in frigid temperatures when the roads are dry, and they are MUCH better than all-season tires when the roads are covered in snow and ice. If you are getting tires only for winter use, in a cold climate like in Chicago, Boston, Minneapolis, etc, then get the best winter tires you can (such as the "studless" winter tires like the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50, REVO1, or Michelin X-Ice).
You can see the difference in performance between winter tires and all-season tires in this tire test conducted in a skating rink, which notes, "the results show the substantial advantage winter tires have over all-season and summer tires on ice. The look of dismay on the drivers' faces when they were waiting for the summer and all-season tires to accelerate on the ice was unmistakable. Their patience was put to the test as they slowly completed their frustrating runs. However, those frowns were quickly replaced by smiles and satisfaction when driving on the dedicated winter tires."
Again, if you're using these tires only in winter, then get winter tires (and it will be a whole lot easier for you in the future if you get an extra set of wheels). If you're going to use these tires all year round, then get all-season tires.
All-season tires are a compromise for folks who need to use the same tires in the winter weather as the rest of the year. Again, they're not as good as winter tires in the winter, and they're not as good as summer tires the rest of the year. But many people, particularly those who don't care that much about performance, are willing to trade off year-round performance for the convenience of using the same tires year round (as well as not having to buy and store the extra set of wheels/tires).
You can see the difference in performance between winter tires and all-season tires in this tire test conducted in a skating rink, which notes, "the results show the substantial advantage winter tires have over all-season and summer tires on ice. The look of dismay on the drivers' faces when they were waiting for the summer and all-season tires to accelerate on the ice was unmistakable. Their patience was put to the test as they slowly completed their frustrating runs. However, those frowns were quickly replaced by smiles and satisfaction when driving on the dedicated winter tires."
Again, if you're using these tires only in winter, then get winter tires (and it will be a whole lot easier for you in the future if you get an extra set of wheels). If you're going to use these tires all year round, then get all-season tires.
All-season tires are a compromise for folks who need to use the same tires in the winter weather as the rest of the year. Again, they're not as good as winter tires in the winter, and they're not as good as summer tires the rest of the year. But many people, particularly those who don't care that much about performance, are willing to trade off year-round performance for the convenience of using the same tires year round (as well as not having to buy and store the extra set of wheels/tires).
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (nsxtasy)
I understand your point of view in extreme winter weather but last I remember, sheet ice doesnt exist on chicago streets 24 hours a day, nor is it always that cold. So youre saying that when it warms up into the upper 40's next week you're going to be better off? Talk about misleading. http://www.weather.com/outlook...10day
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (CardDealer)
it doesnt have to be extreme weather for you to be using winter tires. for the last few days here in chicago it's been in the 30s zone with no snow since early last week. but the snow from early last week is still on the ground iced up. it was very little iced/slush snow but my tires just wouldnt grip at all. i had to rock the car from 1st, reverse, 1st, reverse, and so on for like 15minutes to get out of the parking spot. im still driving on my yoko es100 and that's mostly the reason why i was stuck.
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You are fine on snows up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit before they really start to chunk and fall apart when driving on dry roads. I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan and although we get more snow than Chicago, I am usually on dry pavement with my snows and they generally last about 3 seasons or ~20,000 miles before they lose their effectiveness. I would recommend against using All-Compromises over winter even in Chicago (I lived in Evanston for 3 years).
Jon
PS: BFG Revelation tires ARE junk, nsxtasy was definitely not giving bad advice there!!!!!!!!
Jon
PS: BFG Revelation tires ARE junk, nsxtasy was definitely not giving bad advice there!!!!!!!!
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Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (CardDealer)
you sir do not even know the first thing about a winter tire!
You can't compare any tire to a winter tire in snow and icy conditions. All season are good for a majority of the season not winter!
Winter tire had a certain thread design to them and also have a deep thread where as on a all season tire like the Falken ziex 512 they look more like a normal summer tire!
To the OP don't be an idiot and put winter tires on, don't play with your life. Stopping 2 feet sooner can mean the difference of hit a trunk and not! Also you don't need to get the best winter tire! As long as it is a winter tire it is already better then a all season. BTW our winter in Montreal are brutal so I don't play when it comes to tires. I would look at the Kumho Izen or the Hankook winter IPike w409.
I picked up the Hankook for 358$ so they would probably be around 400$ for you. They are not the best but they aren't terrible as we already got some snow and I tried them out and I was pleased with them!
You can't compare any tire to a winter tire in snow and icy conditions. All season are good for a majority of the season not winter!
Winter tire had a certain thread design to them and also have a deep thread where as on a all season tire like the Falken ziex 512 they look more like a normal summer tire!
To the OP don't be an idiot and put winter tires on, don't play with your life. Stopping 2 feet sooner can mean the difference of hit a trunk and not! Also you don't need to get the best winter tire! As long as it is a winter tire it is already better then a all season. BTW our winter in Montreal are brutal so I don't play when it comes to tires. I would look at the Kumho Izen or the Hankook winter IPike w409.
I picked up the Hankook for 358$ so they would probably be around 400$ for you. They are not the best but they aren't terrible as we already got some snow and I tried them out and I was pleased with them!
Banned
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,210
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From: USA
Re: snow tire or all season tires for winter? (DaveSi677)
I'm not arguing that true winter tires like Blizzak WS-50 do better or worse than allseasons in the snow/ice conditions.
I'm pointing that buying winter tires for the three or four snows/cold snaps a season we get is not worth losing performance for the rest of the 4 months of driving time spent on dry, salted, plowed roads >20 degrees, and often up into the 40's, sometimes 50's.
If you're gonna argue that you gain 2' of stopping distance when it snows, you have to argue that you lose 2' when you get the warm spell. If you argue that tire siping helps you stop in icy roads, you need to argue that siping hurts you on dry roads.
Yes, there were snowy times I was glad I had WS-50's on, but after 3 hours and the plows had the roads cleared.....which remained cleared for three weeks while temps were in the low 30's, I was driving on a tire that handled much worse than an allseason and made me feel more likely to get into an accident.
Now, if you're in the city and somehow are driving on unplowed sidestreets for most of your time, then a winter is a consideration. Or if you're driving to places where you're using the strength of a winter time the majority of the time, then yea get one. I've lived on the NW side of the city, and the NW burbs for 18 years so quit giving me this I dont know what I'm talking about crap. Dont get caught up in the hype.
I'm not even going to talk about the LM-25 because it's snow/ice capabilities are very similar to a decent allseason.
I'm pointing that buying winter tires for the three or four snows/cold snaps a season we get is not worth losing performance for the rest of the 4 months of driving time spent on dry, salted, plowed roads >20 degrees, and often up into the 40's, sometimes 50's.
If you're gonna argue that you gain 2' of stopping distance when it snows, you have to argue that you lose 2' when you get the warm spell. If you argue that tire siping helps you stop in icy roads, you need to argue that siping hurts you on dry roads.
Yes, there were snowy times I was glad I had WS-50's on, but after 3 hours and the plows had the roads cleared.....which remained cleared for three weeks while temps were in the low 30's, I was driving on a tire that handled much worse than an allseason and made me feel more likely to get into an accident.
Now, if you're in the city and somehow are driving on unplowed sidestreets for most of your time, then a winter is a consideration. Or if you're driving to places where you're using the strength of a winter time the majority of the time, then yea get one. I've lived on the NW side of the city, and the NW burbs for 18 years so quit giving me this I dont know what I'm talking about crap. Dont get caught up in the hype.
I'm not even going to talk about the LM-25 because it's snow/ice capabilities are very similar to a decent allseason.
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,641
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From: ottawa,, top of the map
Alright, enough of this. The OP knows where each of us stand when it comes to where and when winters should be used. We could all keep arguing back and forth like we have been but nothing will change. I say we just drop it all, move on, and let the OP choose which he feels is best. I am sure he is familiar with winter in his area as well.
H-T Order of Merit
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 23,478
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From: Chicago
Re: (old man neri)
Winter tires are better than all-season tires in frigid temperatures when the roads are dry, and they are MUCH better than all-season tires when the roads are covered in snow and ice. If you are getting tires only for winter use, in a cold climate like in Chicago, Boston, Minneapolis, etc, where the temperatures are normally in the teens and twenties (or colder), then get the best winter tires you can (such as the "studless" winter tires like the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50, REVO1, or Michelin X-Ice).
You can see the difference in performance between winter tires and all-season tires in this tire test conducted in a skating rink, which notes, "the results show the substantial advantage winter tires have over all-season and summer tires on ice. The look of dismay on the drivers' faces when they were waiting for the summer and all-season tires to accelerate on the ice was unmistakable. Their patience was put to the test as they slowly completed their frustrating runs. However, those frowns were quickly replaced by smiles and satisfaction when driving on the dedicated winter tires."
Again, if you're using these tires only in winter, then get winter tires (and it will be a whole lot easier for you in the future if you get an extra set of wheels). If you're going to use these tires all year round, then get all-season tires.
All-season tires are a compromise for folks who need to use the same tires in the winter weather as the rest of the year. Again, they're not as good as winter tires in the winter, and they're not as good as summer tires the rest of the year. But many people, particularly those who don't care that much about performance, are willing to trade off year-round performance for the convenience of using the same tires year round (as well as not having to buy and store the extra set of wheels/tires).
You can see the difference in performance between winter tires and all-season tires in this tire test conducted in a skating rink, which notes, "the results show the substantial advantage winter tires have over all-season and summer tires on ice. The look of dismay on the drivers' faces when they were waiting for the summer and all-season tires to accelerate on the ice was unmistakable. Their patience was put to the test as they slowly completed their frustrating runs. However, those frowns were quickly replaced by smiles and satisfaction when driving on the dedicated winter tires."
Again, if you're using these tires only in winter, then get winter tires (and it will be a whole lot easier for you in the future if you get an extra set of wheels). If you're going to use these tires all year round, then get all-season tires.
All-season tires are a compromise for folks who need to use the same tires in the winter weather as the rest of the year. Again, they're not as good as winter tires in the winter, and they're not as good as summer tires the rest of the year. But many people, particularly those who don't care that much about performance, are willing to trade off year-round performance for the convenience of using the same tires year round (as well as not having to buy and store the extra set of wheels/tires).