Auto tires for winter driving

[X-Linked]

Originally Posted by billski

I picked up a used AWD sedan which now needs tires. I can only buy one set of four tires at this time, so I'm thinking about some 4-season tires that can last until next winter, then get a set of winter tires at that time, to spread out the expense.

Any comments on ski-adventure-driving on 4-season tires on an AWD sedan? My daily commute is 50 miles round trip on the highway. I will be doing trips to the Green (Stowe, Bush, Mt. Snow, Middlebury, MRG) and White mountains, and usually drive only on plowed, but occasionally snow-packed roads. Sometimes find myself in a storm for a few hours, though I usually wait it out or get there early, so it's only a few miles.

My bud has an AWD subie and for five years has driven weekly to Stowe, up the steep Notchbrook road (where I got stuck in my FWD) with only 4-season tires. He's NEVER bought snows.

Having said that, I just splurged for a set of Blizzaks for my wife's car and just love it. It's just not in the cards for two more sets and I don't want to drive winter tires all summer.

Tire brand/model suggestions also appreciated.

Thanks!

I highly recommend Yokohama's All weather/4 season line of tires. I have used many different tires and really liked them the best for all year. I am sure continentals make good all season tires as well. I would personally stay away from the racier tires (firestone, bridgestone, sumitomos) If you don't mind waiting a couple days for delivery to have them bought a bit cheaper, you can always by Yokos, Conts, and Khumos (look at the ecstas) off of Tirerack.com rather cheaply. Good luck.

[riverc0il]

Originally Posted by tjf67

Thanks dad.

Impressive argumentative and debating skills. Not a dad and only 29 years old but that is really beside the point of your ad hominem retort. I got a few amen's from other "dads" on the forum.

[hammer]

How much does ground clearance factor in to getting around in the snow? I remember talking to a few people at the auto show about the Toyota Prius and they said that the car didn't have much ground clearance, which made it trickier to drive in the snow. Not that the ground clearance of a large SUV or Jeep is needed...

[riverc0il]

Originally Posted by hammer

How much does ground clearance factor in to getting around in the snow? I remember talking to a few people at the auto show about the Toyota Prius and they said that the car didn't have much ground clearance, which made it trickier to drive in the snow. Not that the ground clearance of a large SUV or Jeep is needed...

Snow tires are more of an issue, IMO, in most conditions. Depends on the type of snow too. I have easily drove right through over half a foot (above my ground clearance on a small coupe) of very dense and heavy snow. More of a concern would be junk in the snow getting up in the under carriage. Certainly big snow totals would favor a higher ground clearance vehicle with snows, but below critical clearance levels, snows are more important as it won't matter that the higher ground clearance vehicles are above the snow if the tires are not gripping. How often do people need to drive through more than 6" of untouched snow aside from backing out of a parking space? Not really a factor for most drivers in my mind.

[billski]

Originally Posted by riverc0il

Snow tires are more of an issue, IMO, in most conditions. Depends on the type of snow too. I have easily drove right through over half a foot (above my ground clearance on a small coupe) of very dense and heavy snow. More of a concern would be junk in the snow getting up in the under carriage. Certainly big snow totals would favor a higher ground clearance vehicle with snows, but below critical clearance levels, snows are more important as it won't matter that the higher ground clearance vehicles are above the snow if the tires are not gripping. How often do people need to drive through more than 6" of untouched snow aside from backing out of a parking space? Not really a factor for most drivers in my mind.

Clearance becomes an issue in "sportier" cars, of which I have. Lower profile tires, bigger wheels and suspension bring the car lower to the ground. I've heard very bad reports of cars not handling well if you try to raise the height by going back to, let's say 16" tires.

I agree that traction is the more important issue unless you are off-roading. (Lots of people like to give the impression that's what they do, and never do. Like the people with giganta-suv's in my town who's sole job is to shuttle muffy and buffy to school and pickup mass quantities of bread and milk for the "storm of the century"

For me, clearance is pretty much a non-issue, since I almost always drive on plowed (or recently plowed) roads.

Interestingly, I'm starting to see more Prius up-country, I wonder how they are faring?

[tjf67]

Originally Posted by riverc0il

Impressive argumentative and debating skills. Not a dad and only 29 years old but that is really beside the point of your ad hominem retort. I got a few amen's from other "dads" on the forum.

How do you want me to argue the ridiculous statement you made. I dont know I only drive 40k miles per year around the high peaks. 2wd with snow tires are no match for an awd with at tires period. to argue different is silly.
But hey that why snow tires sell, to each there own. The only reason a person would drop to an 2wd and snow tires is for MPH not better handling.

[deadheadskier]

Originally Posted by tjf67

How do you want me to argue the rediculous statement you made. I dont know I only drive 40k miles per year around the high peaks. 2wd with snow tires are no match for an awd with at tires period. to argue different is silly.
But hey that why snow tires sell, to each there own. The only reason a person would drop to an 2wd and snow tires is for MPH not better handling.

I'll say it again, I drove a 2000 Audi A6 with AT tires on it last winter. My 1982 Honda Accord with Nokia Hakapalitas (sp) got me through the snow better than the Audi. AWD / 4WD doesn't help much unless your tires can actually grip the road.

So count me with river on this opinion. Also count me with river that your 'thanks dad' comment was unecessary and juvenile.

[X-Linked]

Originally Posted by deadheadskier

I'll say it again, I drove a 2000 Audi A6 with AT tires on it last winter. My 1982 Honda Accord with Nokia Hakapalitas (sp) got me through the snow better than the Audi. AWD / 4WD doesn't help much unless your tires can actually grip the road.

So count me with river on this opinion. Also count me with river that your 'thanks dad' comment was unecessary and juvenile.

Bald tires will never get you anywhere in the snow or ice. But, You're trying to tell me that the car that is best know for being the BEST driving/handling system ever in the AUDI (I have owned 2, plus Many many other cars) is not going to drive as well as your accord? Let's put it this way. I have never seen a Honda accord, or even a a crx civic in a Snow rally race. EVER. In a heat of about 12-16 cars there is ALWAYS 2-3 audis. The only reason your Honda drove better than the audi, was you probably didn't have LP tires, but BALD tires. You might as well be driving on street slicks if you're going to be doing that.

[tjf67]

Originally Posted by deadheadskier

I'll say it again, I drove a 2000 Audi A6 with AT tires on it last winter. My 1982 Honda Accord with Nokia Hakapalitas (sp) got me through the snow better than the Audi. AWD / 4WD doesn't help much unless your tires can actually grip the road.

So count me with river on this opinion. Also count me with river that your 'thanks dad' comment was unecessary and juvenile.

First off the audi had all season tires on it not AT. Second audi 4wd system is one of the best. You sure it was not driver error. I had an A4 that was one of the best vehicles i have ever had in the snow. Was better than the my rover, wrangler and grand.
I am thinking driver error on your part

[deadheadskier]

Originally Posted by X-Linked

Bald tires will never get you anywhere in the snow or ice. But, You're trying to tell me that the car that is best know for being the BEST driving/handling system ever in the AUDI (I have owned 2, plus Many many other cars) is not going to drive as well as your accord? Let's put it this way. I have never seen a Honda accord, or even a a crx civic in a Snow rally race. EVER. In a heat of about 12-16 cars there is ALWAYS 2-3 audis. The only reason your Honda drove better than the audi, was you probably didn't have LP tires, but BALD tires. You might as well be driving on street slicks if you're going to be doing that.

I'm not saying that FWD is better than AWD in the snow. I am saying that a FWD with snow tires can be just as capable and in some, not all, intances, better in snow driving conditions than an AWD. This based on MY experience not others. Perhaps the all seasons I had on the Audi weren't that great. I'm no expert on tires, but when I bought the car, I got new tires and asked the shop to put new all seasons on it that offered the best snow performance. These tires were BRAND NEW not BALD.

From MY experience, the Audi did pretty well in the snow, the back end wasn't as squirly as the Honda, BUT, the Honda with the Nokia's made it up steeper snow covered roads with greater ease and I ran into less problems with the car tracking around turns where as the Audi had a harder time catching grip and the car wanted to go straight.

All of you AWD fans need to calm down a bit. I've explained MY story and so from MY experience, I feel that tires matter more than the drive system. As far as all the rally mumbo jumbo, I could care less. I'm just looking to get to the mountain and this has been MY experience.