Do You Know? Winter Tires or Snow Tires?

[LilJuelzIII]

I have a question. I currently have a set of "all season tires". I want to invest in the snow/winter tires with no problem. However, when I do decide to buy these tires, what will happen to the tires I currently have? would I have to buy new tires for the spring/summer/fall?

[Victortrotska]

@LilJuelzIII It is best to keep a set of winter tyres for winter and another set of "summer" tyres for summer for maximum safety.

Many people keep winter tyres all year long without much problem. If you do that the problem is that if one day you are in a "extreme" situation like emergency braking or fast sharp turn the tyre will wear very fast on brake resulting in longer braking time. To "visualize" it: take a rubber eraser on a piece of paper, slide it fast: that's a winter tyre in summer.

[RayAir1]

Last year there was a winter storm warning and it was snowing hard. Me and another car were approaching a light at the same speed. It turned red. I safely stopped as I watched the other car slid right through the light. That was the first year i ran winter tires on my car and they are a very good investment. What difference.

If you live in an area where it snows, invest in some winter tires. You won't regret it.

[317murph]

Why does every old fart find it necessary to comment how long they have gone "all those years" driving without snow tires and have "survived" just fine?

BFD......the winter performance of a dedicated winter tire is INDISPUTABLE........it's about performing best for the one worst case scenario moment that additional traction and control MAY help avoid and accident and injury.

You can continue to walk the high wire successfully without a net for another season......or maybe not.

[mattsvai]

Well said. I learned the hard way.

[Victortrotska]

@317murph Some people are ready to sacrify others people safety/life just to spare a few bucks. That is very sad because some people do not realize that is exactly what they are doing.

[MaverickXeo]

@317murph Because most people put on winter tires, thinking they can stop on a dime. Winter tires may be better, BUT All seasons are just fine. The tires are of the LOWEST importance in winter driving; the MOST important thing is SKILL and ability. Sort of like people who rely on ABS, TCS, 4x4, etc. They are all completely useless in the grand scheme of things.

[genie0390]

people telling you that you need snow/winter tires are engaging either in deceit or just don't know any better

good all seasons combined with traction control is much more than you'll ever need, especially living in Kelowna

if you travel a lot through mountain passes in winter, put on some blizzaks, or buy some chains

[JCVdude]

I believe years ago Cindy always drove with just all-seasons - around Kelowna. However, on the highway, winters. Also, by law in BC, you need winters after a certain date in October if you want to travel on the highways.

[genie0390]

the law is, if you see a sign stating that winter tires are required beyond a certain point, you will need such tires OR put on chains

that has been the case for many yrs. i remember going through a pass between Washington and Idaho where i was stopped and had to put on chains

[Sneekskier]

You say dont buy winter tires and then say put on blizzaks?? i thought those are winter/snow tires last time i checked.

Thos i agree that chains are okay if you drive up daily towards one of the ski mountains or anywhere outside a ctiy i would strongly suggest getting some winter tires

[rtsoccerplayer]

how could traction control work if your tires have no traction in the first place? the traction control system can't just make traction out of nowhere. what it really does is controls the speed on your driven wheels to go as fast as possible. how fast the wheels can turn all depends on how much traction your wheels have.

so your traction control system can only do as much as what your tires can handle.

[genie0390]

how ever did I survive all my years driving on all season tires during winter months, in the severe conditions in Alberta?

I guess ice is different now

i think i will run to the tire store and put on winter tires on all four wheels! Wait, i think I will also need four extra mags because it's not good to remove my all seasons! they will crack

good thing that oil companies are not telling us to change oil every 500 kms, or else engines may blow up and kill us

[rtsoccerplayer]

no matter what, winter tires will exceed all seasons in the winter time. and why would you get mags for the winter?!?!?

[jefevonQ]

I know better. Please don't deceive people.

A decent set of winter tires like Blizzaks will greatly enhance the stopping and turning ability of the vehicle. I live in Wisconsin and have been using snow tires for the last decade. The best way to find the difference is to drive in the same storm. Drive to the tire dealer, buy/install snows, then drive back. That was my first experience. I sold myself easily. A whole lot less feedback from the ABS.

[MaverickXeo]

@genie0390 I dont have ABS, winter tires, traction control, or any special features. I also took out my sportscar without these things last winter with old summer tires and never once did I spin the tires.

[xkennyPLx]

(1st view yey) nice vid