Winter tires...
- Thread starter Cobster
- Start date
I don't own any. Fortunately my wife and I do not absolutely have to drive to work. (The fact that I usually do is just that I'm lazy <grin>) So if the roads are too bad for my all-seasons I either stay home or walk or take the bus if we absolutely have to get out. Hamilton usually has the main routes salted down pretty thoroughly so I don't see the need to go the winter tire route.
Now if I lived in the country or had to drive to work then that would be a different story and would probably be watching the weather pretty close to see when I should put them on. Given the snow storm that Buffalo area got, I might have put them on by now <grin>.
Just my two cents worth.
Moraff
Now if I lived in the country or had to drive to work then that would be a different story and would probably be watching the weather pretty close to see when I should put them on. Given the snow storm that Buffalo area got, I might have put them on by now <grin>.
Just my two cents worth.
Moraff
G
GlavaMan
I go the winter tire route. Usually get them on by mid November. You have to buy tires anyway so why not get winter & all season. The only added expense is getting them changed which is easily off set by the added traction & grip your car gets. Last fall I was in the 1st year of a 4 yr lease. I had new all season radials with the vehicle but I got winter tires because I knew I would have had to buy tires during the lease, so why not buy winter tires that will last the 4 yrs. I bought 4 Bridgestone Blizzak tires & they are great. IMO there is no camparision to all season tires in winter conditions.
I didn't get them last year and probably won't this year either. The climate might be changing enough to make this less of an issue for those who live south of Hwy 9. Might be just as good to take a cab to work and bus back on the few days when it's really bad.
Last winter there were only 4 days in Toronto with significant enough snow or sleet to make a good case for winter tread, and maybe another 4-5 days where the temperature might have justified winter rubber. The previous year was a little worse, but not much.
If you do switch tires, it's best to have winter rims too. It's better to store your all seasons on the rims. Also, try to arrange a climate controlled storage location - if you keep your all seasons in a yard, shed or balcony, the rubber will degrade the same as it would on your car even though you're not using tread life.
Last winter there were only 4 days in Toronto with significant enough snow or sleet to make a good case for winter tread, and maybe another 4-5 days where the temperature might have justified winter rubber. The previous year was a little worse, but not much.
If you do switch tires, it's best to have winter rims too. It's better to store your all seasons on the rims. Also, try to arrange a climate controlled storage location - if you keep your all seasons in a yard, shed or balcony, the rubber will degrade the same as it would on your car even though you're not using tread life.
Put the winter's on when the temperature is consistently at or below 7 degrees C.
Although some posters do not feel the need to use winter tires in Toronto because of the lack of snowfall, it is not just the more aggressive tread that you are getting with snows. It is also a different rubber compound that is softer. Too many all seasons are too hard when the temperature drops.
Although some posters do not feel the need to use winter tires in Toronto because of the lack of snowfall, it is not just the more aggressive tread that you are getting with snows. It is also a different rubber compound that is softer. Too many all seasons are too hard when the temperature drops.
Mid November.. Unfortunately with the warmer winters ...and softer rubber compound my current set of snows (Michlin Alpines) need 2 of 4 replaced
I wanted to put them on last Sunday but it rained all day.
This weekend for sure.
Better to be early than late.
A bit of warm weather is no problem for the tires.
This weekend for sure.
Better to be early than late.
A bit of warm weather is no problem for the tires.
You are also very wise!rubmeister100 said:
Another benefit that many overlook is it extends the life of your all season tires. Many all season tires are more expensive than snows and in most cases the cheapest snow tire is more effective than an all season tire.
As stated, one only needs to avoid one accident or getting stuck somewhere and the tires have paid for themselves.
Nokia All Weather Tires
I have Nokia all weather tires. (NOT all season). These tires stay on all year round but have treads like a winter tire. Noice level is equal to summer tires. Try them and save yourselves all the hastles.Cobster said:
Good to know about the compound had no idea that all-seasons were that much more different.
I already have a set of winter and summer tires on seperate wheels.
I bought my first snows last year at the end of November or mid-December when they were IMPOSSIBLE to find.
I definitely recommend them, I was just curious as to when you guys put them on (or recommend to).
I already have a set of winter and summer tires on seperate wheels.
I bought my first snows last year at the end of November or mid-December when they were IMPOSSIBLE to find.
I definitely recommend them, I was just curious as to when you guys put them on (or recommend to).
They way I do it is put them on myself when it starts to snow, I have my 4 winter tires on rims and I have a electric tork gun from Canadian Tire ($74.95 ) This is the best way to keep your tires in good shape. If you put them on in October and the weather is too wrm, the tires will wear out fast. The same is true in the spring when it warms up all of the sudden. Doing it this way it saves me $60 ( $120 per year) in spring and fall for tire installation on the rim, balancing and tire installation on the car.
Remember that even the worse winter tires you buy at Walmart are better than any all season tire you can have on your car. ( these words will echo in your head when you are skidding towarsds that mack truck in January)
Remember that even the worse winter tires you buy at Walmart are better than any all season tire you can have on your car. ( these words will echo in your head when you are skidding towarsds that mack truck in January)
For a tire, winter begins at 7 degrees!
At temperatures below 7 degrees, standard tires progressively lose flexibility, leading to a decrease in traction, handling and vehicle control at lower temperatures. However, the rubber of a winter tire remains supple through temperature decreases and has more sipes - the small cuts in the tread block - which cut through surface water and increase grip on cold, damp, slushy, icy and snowy roads. This promotes improved handling, control and safety on the road during fall and winter. In fact, the braking distance of a winter tire compared with a standard tire, depending on speed and road conditions, can be up to two vehicle lengths shorter.
At temperatures below 7 degrees, standard tires progressively lose flexibility, leading to a decrease in traction, handling and vehicle control at lower temperatures. However, the rubber of a winter tire remains supple through temperature decreases and has more sipes - the small cuts in the tread block - which cut through surface water and increase grip on cold, damp, slushy, icy and snowy roads. This promotes improved handling, control and safety on the road during fall and winter. In fact, the braking distance of a winter tire compared with a standard tire, depending on speed and road conditions, can be up to two vehicle lengths shorter.
Took my Rims and Summer tires off and put My Winters on a few days ago. Left my Rims on too long last year and during the first snow I was fish tailing and spinning all the time.
Winter Tires
I have used NOKIAN winter tires on my 944 since the first winter in 86. With them on, the car is a dream to drive in winter. When the first snow comes, on the tires go on too. I always take that car when going skiing because I feel safer than with my Accura under the same weather conditions.
I have used NOKIAN winter tires on my 944 since the first winter in 86. With them on, the car is a dream to drive in winter. When the first snow comes, on the tires go on too. I always take that car when going skiing because I feel safer than with my Accura under the same weather conditions.
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For those posting about the NokiaN tires, please note, it is not Nokia. That's a phone manufacturer.
Nokians truely are the cream of the crop in snows and "all-weather". If you can find them in your size, they are the way to go. I've had the all-weather Nokian WR and would have used them all year round if my car didn't come with low profile summers. On a normal passeger car (ie anything equal to or less sporting than a Maxima) the all weathers are good as summer and winter.
That said, I've got Dunlop M3s on my car now and they are terrific. The car still handles well in the dry stuff, yet sticks like a scared car on carpet in the snow.
My snows will go on next weekend - too much rain predicted this weekend so I'm boycotting any outdoor work.
Nokians truely are the cream of the crop in snows and "all-weather". If you can find them in your size, they are the way to go. I've had the all-weather Nokian WR and would have used them all year round if my car didn't come with low profile summers. On a normal passeger car (ie anything equal to or less sporting than a Maxima) the all weathers are good as summer and winter.
That said, I've got Dunlop M3s on my car now and they are terrific. The car still handles well in the dry stuff, yet sticks like a scared car on carpet in the snow.
My snows will go on next weekend - too much rain predicted this weekend so I'm boycotting any outdoor work.
Interesting I've always used the basic all season tires on my car.
For me I've found the best way to stay under control is to adjust your driving habits...... that is much better than a set of winter tires on a SUV if you drive like it's still summer.
For me I've found the best way to stay under control is to adjust your driving habits...... that is much better than a set of winter tires on a SUV if you drive like it's still summer.
