AWD vs Snow tires! MUST SEE!

[stinkynuts]

So need some advice: what to do... In a couple of years I plan to start commuting to Florida, leaving at end of December, returning beginning of April...

So... should I drive snowtires down and wear them out tripping around the Sunshine State or All weather or all season and white knuckle it through Ontario and the northern states like Pennslylvania?

That is a very long drive, and when you add up expenses, such as mileage/wear/tear on your car, gas, hotel, food, etc., it makes no sense. You can probably buy a used car, as mentioned, and sell it.

If you plan to drive, it's a hard choice. Winter tires are actually not meant to be used in warm places such as Florida, so you can actually increase the risk of an accident.

But, given the choice, I'd rather drive to Florida with winter tires and use them there. You could also buy summer tires in Florida and store your winter ones or sell them.

 

[stinkynuts]

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

Toronto doesnt get enough snow for me to switch to winter tires.

If I lived in Haliburton or Winterpeg I would definitely get them though

 

[train]

All it takes once when you need them. Like Sunday the 11th and Friday and Saturday this past weekend. That's 3 days out of the past 7.

 

[Timbit]

Those are bloody expensive snow tires $960 per pair!


Further they don't answer the point DanJ raises in 9. On a FWD car do you really need 4 winter tires.

That was for a set of 4...

Timbit

 

[Phil C. McNasty]

Look, they even have tire hotels now for winter storage: http://www.tirehotel.ca/

 

[eddie1]

In 20 cm of snow and AWD with all season tires, you will not get stuck.

In 20 cm of snow and FWD with Winter tires, you WILL get stuck.

AWD and Winter tires may be overkill, but if you are worried about getting stuck, in residential side streets, the odd 2-3 times a year, then it's still a good option.

 

[1.8t]

Getting stuck is only part of the reason. AWD won't help with braking and most systems don't do anything until slip is detected so won't help in turning. The only way to increase grip is better tires and better driver skill helps cope with lower grip. A winter driving school should be mandatory. Have you ever seen someone with both front tires locked up heading for a ditch or curb, frantically steering with no effect. Pure driver error.

 

[richaceg]

Moral of the story is...overkill will save you the most money & even your life. I drive an AWD and got caught off guard with an early snow this year and really felt the difference. Besides, we all put the check mark on the insurance that we use winter tires to lower the payments...better to be on that winter tires when you get toast on the road....

 

[KBear]

Besides, we all put the check mark on the insurance that we use winter tires to lower the payments...better to be on that winter tires when you get toast on the road....

I asked the agent when the tires had to be on the car, but got no answer. Would expect if you are in an accident, and did not have winter tires, your claim could be denied.

 

[OnTheWayOut]

Top winter tires:

http://www.wheels.ca/top-ten/top-10-winter-tires-for-2016/


Briegestone Blizzak appears to be one of the very best out there.

I can vouch for the Blizzaks, have them on an Impala and last year they were pretty well finished. Got caught having to drive from Ottawa to Kingston one night and the snow started getting deep, figured I would be late and looked down at speedometer to see I was doing 90 with no issue. On Blizzaks with barely any tread, I was amazed. Used them a bit longer than got 4 new ones. This report particularly rates the Blizzaks (and xIce) highest for keeping traction when nearing end of tread life, I agree for sure.

I just bought a used set of alloys with Michelin xIce for my SUV, so far they seem pretty good. With AWD they should do fine but I intend to replace them with Blizzaks when the time comes, unless they really impress me until they wear out. Like I said earlier, it is very worthwhile to get good shoes for an AWD vehicle, not overkill at all. Not all of us have the option to sit by the fire when the weather is bad.

 

[bver_hunter]

If you keep your car from new to the end of it's life span, then it definitely is worth getting winter tires, whether it has AWD or not. You are increasing or practically doubling the lifespan of your all season tires. AWD and winter tires are great in the winter, but I have seen cars with AWD and no winter tires end up in the ditch when they try to make those sharp left turns at junctions in country lanes during a snow storm. Trouble is these drivers with the large pickup AWD trucks think that they are above what nature throws at them.

 

[Dougal Short]

Who drives on snow?

Skiers...

Both of my vehicles are AWD (or 4WD) and I have snows on both. I drive to my place in Vermont every third week in the winter and over the years, I have been caught in some truly shitty weather, and I have never had a problem that good tires and sensible driving couldn't manage.

I get so tired of hearing the lame excuses for not having the proper tires. There is a negligible extra cost to having them since your summer tires last that much longer. If you put the winters on rims, you can change them yourself in about 30 minutes with a $75 impact wrench.

It's strange that nobody ever tries to argue that driving with worn out brakes is a good idea...

 

[kstanb]

at 20 km per hour, I can't find any difference between winter and all season tires.

and that is the speed I drive at on the seldom occasions I need to drive in a snowstorm

 

[Dougal Short]

at 20 km per hour, I can't find any difference between winter and all season tires.

and that is the speed I drive at on the seldom occasions I need to drive in a snowstorm

If that's accurate, you are probably almost right. If you are in an accident, it will be so minor, it won't count~