Snow Tires

[AgileTurtle]

After last winter I got frustrated driving in the snow in my small car. I said if this winter is as bad I am buying a jeep. Fortunately I am too smart to really buy a jeep. Instead I got snow tires. They are the best investment I have made in years. They grip the road fantastically. Today on the way to work I saw a jeep in the ditch. The universe told me I made the right decision.

[GuitarStv]

What many people with all wheel drive fail to realize is that it provides traction for acceleration.  It doesn't provide traction when stopping or turning.  Snow tires do that.

You made the right choice!

[La Bibliotecaria Feroz]

I just got mine put on yesterday, too! I got the cheapest ones I could find (GT IcePro on sale for $59 each) because my Accord is almost 16 and let's face it, it doesn't have an infinite number of winters left. I can't wait to try them out, but Mr. FP has the car today.

[Maseroni]

Years ago I bought a new set of snow tires, and managed to get the rims for free off of a student of mine that owned a tire shop.  Since then I have bought all of my winter tires used off of Kijiji (Craigslist).  Buying used tires and getting an amazing deal normally requires buying in the spring when people are switching back to their all season tires.  Patience is key!

My last set I lucked out by getting a set off of a car that had been written off when the owner's tree fell on the car in their driveway after an ice storm. They were only 2 months old and I got them for $200, mounted/balanced them for free (same friend as earlier), and then after selling the car last month, I sold the tires (and rims as they don't fit my "new-to-me" car) separately for $220!  While that's obviously not typical, you can save a bunch of money if your can find a good quality used set.

They certainly make a world of difference in how the car handles.

[lizzzi]

I spent some money, but my vehicle is only three years old (no debts, paid cash and will drive it forever), and I have to go from deep in the Heartland to upstate NY, Vermont, and Quebec every year in the winter, as often as once a month. I went to the closest place that is on the way to and from everywhere I go--a Goodyear dealership. Got four  UltraGrip Ice WRT winter tires for $703. Got their Goodyear credit card and put the tires on that, which gives me a $120 rebate, so $583 actually spent on the tires. I will of course pay it in full when the bill comes and never use the card again. Had the tires put on just in time for our first snowstorm and the plunging polar temperatures. What a difference--far better than the all-seasons--I love these snow tires. With three little children (4--5--7) in the vehicle almost daily, and the travel to the Northlands, I feel that this was a sensible purchase.

[stachethis]

I'll +1 all comments to date.

This has been my first season with snow tires on my outback. The difference in traction is world's difference from the crappy all-seasons that came with the car. We see a lot of snow and ice in the Cleveland area that has a nasty tendency to thaw in the day and freeze over at night. And until I can cut my commute down, I drive enough miles to make this a smart decision.

[AgileTurtle]

Years ago I bought a new set of snow tires, and managed to get the rims for free off of a student of mine that owned a tire shop.  Since then I have bought all of my winter tires used off of Kijiji (Craigslist).  Buying used tires and getting an amazing deal normally requires buying in the spring when people are switching back to their all season tires.  Patience is key!

My last set I lucked out by getting a set off of a car that had been written off when the owner's tree fell on the car in their driveway after an ice storm. They were only 2 months old and I got them for $200, mounted/balanced them for free (same friend as earlier), and then after selling the car last month, I sold the tires (and rims as they don't fit my "new-to-me" car) separately for $220!  While that's obviously not typical, you can save a bunch of money if your can find a good quality used set.

They certainly make a world of difference in how the car handles.

nice work. I spent 2 months on craigslist looking for used snow tires. All either didnt fit my car or were trash. One person even wanted as much as new tires for 2 year old ones.

[Rage]

I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee with all season tires (I'll sell it soon, don't worry) and I can confirm it doesn't drive that great in the snow.  Our neighborhood doesn't get plowed, and frequently the snow turns to slush during the day then freezes overnight.  Trying to stop on that stuff in the morning - a sheet of ice, basically - is very difficult with a 5000 pound vehicle.  The 4 wheel drive does not help at all. 

I can however, accelerate quite well.  I can also turn pretty well as long as I'm accelerating :)

[TheThirstyStag]

I couldn't agree more with everything in this thread.  I've been preaching winter tires from the mountaintops.  Even the cheapest winter tires are far better than the best all-season tires you can get when driving through snow.  The added cold weather comfort/traction even on cold, dry ground is a huge perk that many people don't realize when they say "but it doesn't snow often here".

[BlueMR2]

It's something you just can't understand until you experience it.  I've been told multiple times that my car must be absolutely horrible to drive in the Winter by people with pickups on all-seasons that come to work with tales of sliding and near death repeatedly.  My drives are completely uneventful in my car with snow tires...  They don't believe me and won't even go near my car nevermind ride in it! 

[RetiredAt63]

+1 here too.

Years ago we bought our first AWD car, a Subaru Outback.  DH thought we wouldn't need winter tires (he was from southern Ontario, not snow country), until we slid in slush and were stopped by a low stone wall.  Not too much damage to the bumper, fortunately.  Then he believed me about snow tires [Quebecers know their winter driving  ;-) ]