If you have to drive in snow, use winter tires

"Cars and Things" (stern0)
11/12/2015 at 10:01 • Filed to: None

Someone famous said something a long time ago that still applies today. Though it was stated in political terms when the phrase was coined, it does have a social context too. The phrase is: “These are the times that try [our] souls.” Well, it’s almost right, but, with apologies to the author, it’s the best way to phrase it now.

Anyway, if you were to look at the weather that’s been battering the country lately, you’d certainly know that the saying applies. There’s snow, rain, tornadoes and there was even a late-season hurricane that, thankfully, only churned the Atlantic on this side of the pond, though it might be trying the souls of a few Britons by the time they read this. All these natural occurrences try you time after time, don’t they? So, how can you mitigate their influence? Well, you can’t really, if it’s going to snow, it’s going to snow and if there’s a major storm around, it’s the same thing.

With that said, though, there is something you can do to make yourself a bit safer and that is putting the proper tires on your car. If you live north of say 35-degrees, you already have a good idea of the nastiness that snow and ice bring regularly into your life, don’t you? If you live a distance from your office, a drive that can be a nice distraction can suddenly turn into a very stressful, possibly dangerous, situation when it snows. Not only do you have to contend with other drivers, you also have to put up with roads that may be covered with packed snow and ice. Or, they could be filled with slush, which can be more dangerous than ice, in some cases.

And, then there’s the visibility. If the snow is heavy and if it is being whipped into blizzard-like intensity by the wind, you have to cope with nosing ahead slowly into the maelstrom. Plainly, it’s not a nice situation. At best, it is simply nerve-wracking, at worst it can be downright terrifying, especially if a huge tanker seems to materialize in front of your vehicle and you have to avoid it.

At this point, you are probably wondering why you are out on the roads, driving, in the first place, right? Of course, you have convinced yourself that your presence at work is mandatory and that your business can’t get along without you. To answer that, ask yourself, what would happen if you changed jobs and went with a rival firm, would your former firm (the one you are at currently) just fold like a house of cards due to your absence? The chances are much more than very good that they would survive and keep on flourishing without your vital presence.

Though this thought may be rather sobering to you – it should be – and though you may think that you are still far too important, rethink your position because the truth is, you’re not. Over half-a-century in the working world teaches one about one’s place in the work-a-day world. Of course, if it’s your own business, then you may have to be there at all times. Yet, even then, it might now also be the case. You can be forgiven if you stay off the roads during a snow emergency. It’s just good sense and may save your life.

What happens, though, if you really do have to go out, as in an emergency? Then there are some things you can do to protect yourself. First, if your car, crossover or SUV is equipped with all-season tires, ditch them. All-season tires are useful when the temperature is over 40-degrees and when the road is clean or it is just wet with rain. In any other conditions, it’s as if you have four rubber balls at the corners. Imagine trying to corner or just get out of a parking space using the equivalent of a rubber ball as a wheel. Not to say that it isn’t impossible. You will get some grip out of a treadles hunk of rubber, but, you’d probably have more luck if you are just running on the wheels alone without rubber attached.

Though all-season or all-weather tires are sold in the northern United States and Canada as the panacea for winter driving, they are not. Because they compromise – the tread is oriented toward a quiet ride and comfort and the compound isn’t gummy (soft) enough – all-season tires should be used in the same areas where you would use “summer” tires, in the warmer states where the temperate climate is more suited for them.

To equip your car, crossover or SUV properly, you must install good, old-fashioned winter or snow tires. Winter tires are made of a soft compound that retains its flexibility to below-0-Fahrenheit. The soft compound gives the tire more grippiness in the cold which means more safety. And, because they are flexible, the flex to the contours or snow, ice or slush quite well.

Winter tires should installed, for best effect, on all four wheels because they do add traction to each corner, even though only two of your wheels if you are driving a standard front-wheel or rear-wheel-drive car do the pushing or pulling. At any rate, winter tires should be installed, at the very least, on the driving wheels.

One of the things you should note about winter tires is that they have a significant, cleated or aggressive tread pattern. The reason is simple, the large cleat grip better in the ice and snow and the large channels in between the cleats tend to wick water away and out of the tire track. One other thing to note is that winter tires are not made for the spring, summer or fall when the pavement is too warm. They wear at an alarming rate. In general, you should get at least two seasons out of a set of winter tires, although with good planning you can get more. And, yes, you will need a separate set of summer or spring tires to swap.

The ultimate in safety the snow chain. They will be explored more closely in another article.

DISCUSSION (34)

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Cars and Things
11/12/2015 at 10:14

Thanks for the advice but I’ll stick to my all seasons and all terrains. They havnt let me down in a decade of driving

gin-san - shitpost specialist > Cars and Things
11/12/2015 at 10:15

In Ontario it’s a must; even for those living in Toronto who frequently say things like “oh it doesn’t snow much” and garbage like that - just get them. Tires aren’t just about how much snow on the ground but the ambient/road temperature as well (just like this write-up says).

I threw on a cheap pair of Hankook winter tires for less than $400 installed and they lasted me three seasons. They definitely feel very strange to drive on when it warms up in the spring, but during the winter they were a heck of a lot better than the all-seasons I had on my car.

One thing I’d like to know is that some tires are marketed as “ice” tires and some as “snow” tires - is there an actual difference?

spanfucker retire bitch > Cars and Things
11/12/2015 at 10:16

All-seasons are absolutely capable of being driven in winter conditions. It’s not ideal, and they’re nowhere near as good as dedicated winter tires, but I, my friends and my family have done so for years without getting into any accidents or getting stuck doing so. You have to be hyper vigilant and drive extremely cautiously, but you can do it. It’s nowhere near the same level as driving summer tires in the winter; not even close.

That being said, I got my first set of winter tires last year and I’ll never go another winter without them.

cazzyodo > Cars and Things
11/12/2015 at 10:27

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Future next gen S2000 owner > Cars and Things
11/12/2015 at 10:27

The braking distance alone on hard packed snow and ice is worth the investment over all seasons.

Ash78, voting early and often > Cars and Things
11/12/2015 at 10:27

And if you aren’t going to use snow tires, please at least use all-seasons and DO NOT leave your ultra hi-po summer tires on there. Those rubber compounds are useless in the cold, even without snow.

I know a lot of people just name all tires either “summer” or “snow,” but I always like to differentiate further for accuracy. Stock WRX STI tires (and the like) are truly summer tires, meaning I wouldn’t trust them under 50 degree F, give or take.

jjhats > spanfucker retire bitch
11/12/2015 at 10:28

this. but as a performance community as soon as we switch to summers people need to realize they are 100% not an option for winter driving

jariten1781 > Cars and Things
11/12/2015 at 10:30

At any rate, winter tires should be installed, at the very least, on the driving wheels.

General advice is typically to have the tires with the best grip (winter tires here, but also if you’re replacing just two in a set of balds) on the rear axle regardless of drive wheels. Yes, that means you have a better chance of being stuck, but it's safer for the majority of the driving population. Unless you have training in and practice skid control (ie folks who regularly do HPDEs) understeer is more manageable than oversteer and car safety is typically better in front impacts than side or rear that oversteer induces.

Teleph0nes > spanfucker retire bitch
11/12/2015 at 10:33

All-seasons can work, but if you live somewhere that has real winters, it is worth it to have real snow tires. I think people who have never driven on actual winter tires don’t realize just how much better/safer they are.

DrScientist > Cars and Things
11/12/2015 at 10:34

i think you might have made a typo up there. all-season tires are perfectly capable for sub-40 temperatures. SUMMER tires are no good in sub 40 temperatures. and ALL-SEASONS will not be ideal sub-zero (or something) and not ideal at all in snow/ice conditions.

also, unless youre doing major burn outs, or drive 20k miles/year, you should get at least 3 seasons out of a set of snow/winters. if you dont get unidirectionals, or don’t have staggered setups, you may get more by swapping around.

and i’ve driven snows/winters through the summer. they are not suited for high performance track duty, but for your average commuter, they’ll do fine for at least 8-10k through the summer temps.

otherwise, youre mostly right about all of this.

my experience with winter/snow tires, in order of best performing to worst:

1. blizzak. lm-25, excellent for high performance, and in deep fresh now, and on ice

2. michelin x-ice 3, excellent in deep snow and on ice. not particularly for high performance driving

3. pirelli sottozero serie 2. very goood high performance tire, but not particularly confidence inspiring in the snow/ice.

Tripper > Cars and Things
11/12/2015 at 10:40

I went through the last two (Southeastern PA) winters in an E90 M3 on summer tires. I got stuck twice, and barely made it to work all of the other times that I drove when there was snow/slush/ice on the road, slip sliding the whole way.

This winter I will be driving an Audi with dedicated snow/winter tires, so we probably wont get any snow...but I hope we do!

uofime-2 > jjhats
11/12/2015 at 10:41

and as soon as you drive on summer performance tires, you know you need to have them in your life when ever possible.

BigBlock440 > spanfucker retire bitch
11/12/2015 at 10:53

Yeah, nobody’s arguing that winter tires are better than all-seasons for winter, but all-seasons are perfectly capable in all-seasons. Yes, you have to adjust your driving to conditions, but unless you’re traversing a mountain pass with a 10,000’ drop off, you don’t need winter tires.

Party_in_the_USA > Ash78, voting early and often
11/12/2015 at 11:20

Because Race Car

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Cars and Things
11/12/2015 at 12:01

My parents have never driven on anything except all-season tires all their lives and have never had an issue. I’m not denying winter tires are better suited, but all-season are perfectly capable as well.

450X_FTW > BigBlock440
11/12/2015 at 12:09

I just spent $1000 on new tires for my truck, all season with some extra grip for the mud, not bro truck level, but yeah no way can I justify spending close to another grand plus wheel just for the winter

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > BigBlock440
11/12/2015 at 12:35

It’s a matter of opinion. Do you currently/are you willing to spend a winter driving like a granny? For most oppos, that would be no. Hence, winter tires. That’s not to say you shouldn’t be more careful than in dry conditions, but winter tires make it possible to drive closer to the way you normally would.

In any case i don't see why people argue against them. They work quite well, and you save wear on your other tires, so...

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > DrScientist
11/12/2015 at 12:37

Second the Blizzaks, but I find the X-ice lacking in deeper snow. Where they shine is on ice (hence the name).

BigBlock440 > 450X_FTW
11/12/2015 at 12:39

A few years ago I got mud tires for my truck and was pleasantly surprised with the winter performance. In deep snow, they claw right up hills like nothing, walking through the tire tracks you could tell there was no spinning even. Then when there was a slushy snow I made a point to go out and see how they did. The road was covered in slush and I didn’t slide at all during my brake tests and didn’t spin going up my hill in 2wd. You could still spin them if you wanted to, but there were no problems if you didn’t.

Also, I towed a Miata up an incline off the highway with my FWD DD on all-seasons. It was sideways across both lanes and I couldn’t even push with how slick the road was, my boots kept sliding. Traction control helped a bit there though.

I’m sure snow tires are great, but they can be a hassle and aren’t necessary for most people. Especially places that have plow trucks and salt and have the roads cleared off within a few hours of the storm.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > gin-san - shitpost specialist
11/12/2015 at 12:41

I’ve had my snows on for about 3 weeks, and the corners of the tread blocks on the front are really wearing. Having a hard time adjusting :)

Funny thing is, they actually feel better to drive on than my all-seasons (they suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucked). The difference is, the A/S would be telling you you were killing them when they were fine, the snows are saying they're fine while they're being rapidly shredded.

BigBlock440 > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/12/2015 at 12:45

Nobody’s arguing against them, just the idea that they’re absolutely necessary an if you don have them... OMG FIERY DEATH!!!!

As far as spending winter driving like a granny, I live in a place with a road crew. I can drive normally through 98% of the winter. And all-seasons offer adequate traction that I can get where I want to go when it does snow, even if it does take a few minutes longer. I actually enjoy driving in the snow, even with all-seasons.

Cars and Things > Cars and Things
11/12/2015 at 12:58

You're right, there is a typo there...meant to say over-40, not sub...compound is too hard for anything below 40 degrees.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > BigBlock440
11/12/2015 at 13:01

Nobody HERE is going to argue against them (and I wasn’t suggesting you were), but you definitely run into people who don’t believe there’s any point to them. And I definitely don’t think they’re totally necessary to avoid fiery death, it’s just I don’t see the point in not having them.

Granny driving in snow, not all winter. I suck at explaining what I’m actually thinking... I just mean that (obviously for those who have the luxury of storage space for a second tire set) given the performance differences and the lack of downsides, I'd rather have the tire that forces me to change my driving style the least.

DrScientist > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/12/2015 at 13:20

maybe we have a different concept of “deep?” i used these on an otherwise winter-unworthy car, through ~4 inches of fresh snow, as it was falling. (4 inches is an honest assessment, and that’s deep for unplowed snow round here!). and they did quite well.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > DrScientist
11/12/2015 at 13:26

Could be. I also meant "lacking" compared to other snow tires, not that they weren't any good in snow.

BigBlock440 > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
11/12/2015 at 13:29

I’ve got 4 vehicles, and sometimes I don’t keep up with when it’s going to snow. I’m not getting and storing 4 sets of snow tires for all 4 vehicles, and a lot of people don’t have room to store even 1 set. Even if I only put them on one car, and I go out somewhere with another that doesn’t have them when it starts snowing, then the snow tires I did get are useless. It’s not worth it to me (and many others) for the 4 times a year I’m going to drive in the snow. The roads get cleared pretty quickly here, at least the major, higher speed roads.

Sure, winter tires are better, but I’m almost never close to the traction limits of my tires (burnouts excluded). And even if you’re not, many people are arguing that if you don’t have snow tires you’re a menace to society and won’t even be able to leave your parking spot.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > BigBlock440
11/12/2015 at 13:31

Fair enough, like I said for those who have the luxury of sufficient storage space.

Like most arguments, those on the extreme ends etc...

Cars and Things > spanfucker retire bitch
11/12/2015 at 13:39

Not saying you can't but for the most part, it's like running with four bricks on your wheels when it comes to things like traction in the cold, stopping in the cold, etc. I read a study last winter that tested all-season (weather) tires against winter tires and winter tires won it.

spanfucker retire bitch > Cars and Things
11/12/2015 at 13:54

Of course winter tires won it. Winter tires will always be better in the snow, ice and cold over All-Seasons. But All-seasons are not like driving with 4 bricks. Summer tires are like driving with 4 bricks. I have a co-worker who tried getting through last winter in his Focus ST with summer tires. In half an inch of snow he couldn’t even make it up the most gradual and shallow of inclines.

I never had any problems with my all-seasons. Absolutely no one is disputing that winter tires are better in the winter. What I and many others are disputing is your assertion to lump all-seasons into the same category as summer tires. They’re not even close when it comes to cold, winter weather driving.

TahoeSTi > Cars and Things
11/12/2015 at 18:33

Snow chains aren’t safer then snow tires, they limit the speeds of cars way to much, and most people leave them on well after they are needed, this causes traffic to back up in winter conditions. If you need to chain up your car it better be life and death. Or if you like to get places in the snow ditch your truck and SUV get a Subaru WITH snow tires. Also learn to drive a stick, down shifting and slipping the clutch to limit power are needed in the snow.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > gin-san - shitpost specialist
11/12/2015 at 20:23

ice might be studded, and winter wider treads? http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tests/te…

Some tire give better perfomance in some areas and loose in others. I think if too many of the sips are added (for snow or ice), higher speed handling in dry conditions worsens as the tire can squirm more. I think in a dedicated winter tire, its mostly just the compound that is changed and not the tread pattern.

Cars and Things > spanfucker retire bitch
11/12/2015 at 22:44

The study that I noted in another post here showed unequivocally that all-seasons aren’t worth very much more than so-called “summer” tires. Indeed, some people actually think all-seasons are “summer” tires. Yes, it’s true they perform well, that is until the temp dips below 40 and stays there for a bit. Last winter, there was a crackup near when I hang out during the day. The car, a late-model sedan, caught the edge of an ice patch at just below the speed limit (about 32 mph), did an endo and ended up smacking the guardrail across the street, coming to rest facing traffic flow. Fortunately, the driver was belted. I talked with him after the mess and he told me that his all-seasons were useless. The car spun and there was no adhesion at all.

Understand, though, that at the time of the accident, this area had experience something like 95 straight hours of below 10-degree weather and the road surface was totally refrigerated. The tires were super-cold and, well, the ice was ice.

In this situation, where the tires should have tried, at least,to bite into the road surface, they failed miserably. There was hardly a skid mark in the photos he showed me on his phone.

I didn’t make the statement without doing the research first, including asking my friend to share his experience, something he was reluctant to do.

Cars and Things > spanfucker retire bitch
11/12/2015 at 22:45

I know how you feel. They work. Good luck.

Cars and Things > jjhats
11/16/2015 at 14:44

If people would do that then there would be fewer crashes, I believe. Human nature, being human nature, most people would rather have root canal or hairplug surgery without any painkiller than do things like change tires and such. JMHO