Winter Tires

[Dion]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

Normally, I'd point out a few studies that show the huge difference a proper ice tire makes. Tires very suited to the snow, melt in a chinook, refreeze weather patterns here. But I don't think it would change your mind.

Something tells me you haven't actually driven on the new generation of ice tires during a January dump in Calgary, have you?

Again, I know what those are tires are made and used for. So feel free to post those studies if you want.

Actually I have driven on those generation of tires. A buddy has them on his Acura.

As for changing my mind, all seasons have worked well for me. That and I can't justify the cost of buying winter tires.

[Bill Bumface]

Originally Posted by Dion

Nobody drives summer tires anymore.

No, I didn't miss the point on winter tires.

Way more cars today come with pure summer tires from the factory than 10 years ago.

Way more people drive on summer tires. I for one, like driving, so winter or summer, I like the most traction I can get.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Claeren

As for the guy that says he has been fine without snow tires:

1) They are WINTER tires not SNOW tires. There are plenty of WINTER tires geared towards ICE, of which Calgary and area (and to the mountains) roads have plenty.

Ok so I made an error when I said snow instead of winter tires.

2) I am sure all of us here know how to drive well enough that we would have been fine with all seasons too. The 10%-30% that WINTER tires are scientifically PROVEN to give you over all-seasons in ice and/or snow can be the 10% that save your life and/or your car. We only need to draw on that 10% ONCE in our lives of driving for it to have made more sense economically to have invested in winter tires. ONCE.

I wonder if a family memeber dies on icy roads you will wonder what could have been if you had spent an extra $50 to mount WINTER tires? I know what my answer is: I don't want to ever have to ask that question...

Claeren.

I'm in my mid 40's and have been driving for over 25 years. No tickets and no accidents on my driving record. If the roads are really bad I don't drive - moreso due to all the idiots on the road who fail to take the road conditions into account (not refering to you or anyone here btw).

[FireFly]

I have to say that I don't drive, but this thread has been very informative and I shall surely be getting winter tires on my vehicle when I get one and it's winter.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

Way more cars today come with pure summer tires from the factory than 10 years ago.

Way more people drive on summer tires. I for one, like driving, so winter or summer, I like the most traction I can get.

I wasn't aware of that - fair enough. I'm assuming it's the sports type cars that are using those summer tires.

Maybe it's the vehicles I buy. All came with all seasons.

[Fobby]

Originally Posted by Dion

I wasn't aware of that - fair enough. I'm assuming it's the sports type cars that are using those summer tires.

Maybe it's the vehicles I buy. All came with all seasons.

Again.... All seasons tires ARE NOT designed for the Canadian Winter season. A Lancer nowadays comes with 18 inch V rated "all seasons". I don't care what anyone say, they are not "all seasons". Maybe All season in California, but not in Canada.

But I guess you know that since you have been driven for 25 years without any tickets or accidents...it's mindset like that that scares me the most on the road..

[BlackArcher101]

Well, to sum up this thread:

If you have money and storage space, a dedicated set of winter tires on steely rims along with another set of summer/all-season tires on the stock rims is the best for use/functionality.

If money is tight, all-seasons are not the best choice to be using year round. Some tires, such as a few Nokians, are able to be used year around giving winter/ice performance in winter and all-season performance in the summer. These are referred to all-weather. Regardless of tire, look for the mountain symbol if you are buying for winter use. This symbol is only on tires rated for severe winter conditions. If you see M+S (mud & snow) realize that it's an all-season tire that is just ok in winter. If money is really tight, you'll have to live with all-seasons (don't say we didn't warn you) or get only a winter tire but look at replacement in 1-2 years.

I have seen too many vehicles on them with knobby tires thinking they are the best for traction. This is partially true, but only in deep snow. What city drivers really need are tires with lot's of deep siping (small slits). The small slits grab the ice and excel over all other treads on icy/slippery roads. So unless you are going backcountry 4x4'ing in the winter, don't go with knobby tires.

I highly suggest the following link for good reading.
http://www.1010tires.com/tech.asp?ty...l_season_tires

And a forum/website for snow tires:
http://www.snowtire.info/forum/portal.php?page=6
http://www.snowtire.info/forum/kb.php?mode=cat&cat=1 (FAQ)

[Incinerator]

Originally Posted by Claeren

That was my point. I said NOT including an alignment.

I mentioned it because (1) they will always ASK if you want an alignment (upselling) and (2) the price is so high that i thought it was important that people knew it was not included.

Ok this is a stupid question as I know next to nothing about tires.

What exactly is an alignment and why is it not needed if I get new tires? what about all that other jazz about balancing etc? My limited understanding is that alignments are for when you hit a curb and the steering wheel is off centre, am I close?

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Fobby

Again.... All seasons tires ARE NOT designed for the Canadian Winter season. A Lancer nowadays comes with 18 inch V rated "all seasons". I don't care what anyone say, they are not "all seasons". Maybe All season in California, but not in Canada.

Use whatever tire you want.

But I guess you know that since you have been driven for 25 years without any tickets or accidents...it's mindset like that that scares me the most on the road..

It's not a mindset - it's called good driving skills. Ever take take a defensive driving course?

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by Incinerator

What exactly is an alignment and why is it not needed if I get new tires? what about all that other jazz about balancing etc? My limited understanding is that alignments are for when you hit a curb and the steering wheel is off centre, am I close?

Alignments aren't always needed with new tires. If your old tires have a uniform wear pattern then odds are the alignment is fine. However, alignments are usually recommended because customers usually only get them done with getting new tires. Since this happens every couple of years, odds are it's worth it to get it checked. Balancing is definitely required whenever a tire is removed from the wheel/rim.

[Eddie Bronze]

Nobody in here is showing love to Bridgestone Blizzak's? I thought they were supposed to be the best, bar none!

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Eddie Bronze

Nobody in here is showing love to Bridgestone Blizzak's? I thought they were supposed to be the best, bar none!

A buddy uses them and thinks they're great.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by Eddie Bronze

Nobody in here is showing love to Bridgestone Blizzak's? I thought they were supposed to be the best, bar none!

I won't buy the Blizzaks as on certain models only 50% of the tread is made of the "special" compound tread. The remaining tread is standard compound. Other manufacturers typically don't have this limitation.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by feartheflames

I reall need help with this too... I have a 92 dodge shadow and dont want to spend too much on tires.. is it worth it? where should I go?

Crappy tire's IceGuard tires are fine, although I'm not sure they're cheaper than a set of Kumho Winters. That'll do fine for your Shadow.

Although if yours is anything like my g/f's POS 91 Dodge Shadow, you'd be multiplying the value of the car by a factor of 10.

[maidestone]

Originally Posted by Eddie Bronze

Nobody in here is showing love to Bridgestone Blizzak's? I thought they were supposed to be the best, bar none!

IMO, Blizzaks are great when there are still at least 50% of tread left on them.

I have just replaced a set of Blizzaks with a set of new Michelin X-Ice. The improvement is apparent.

[The Yen Man]

Well, I tend to look at it this way. Sure if you have good driving ability, it can generally get you by winter unscathed most of the time. The winter tire just improves upon your already good defensive driving ability when you really need it, say if someone cuts you off in the winter and you had to slam on your brakes or something. If it prevents you from even getting into that one accident, then it's already paid off.

Plus, peace of mind is worth quite a bit to me. So I'd be more than willing to pay the price just to get that added security I feel when running winter rubber. Considering even a fender bender costs around a grand these days, I think the price of winter tires really isn't that high.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Well, to sum up this thread:

If you have money and storage space, a dedicated set of winter tires on steely rims along with another set of summer/all-season tires on the stock rims is the best for use/functionality.

If money is tight, all-seasons are not the best choice to be using year round. Some tires, such as a few Nokians, are able to be used year around giving winter/ice performance in winter and all-season performance in the summer. These are referred to all-weather. Regardless of tire, look for the mountain symbol if you are buying for winter use. This symbol is only on tires rated for severe winter conditions. If you see M+S (mud & snow) realize that it's an all-season tire that is just ok in winter. If money is really tight, you'll have to live with all-seasons (don't say we didn't warn you) or get only a winter tire but look at replacement in 1-2 years.

[Kipru]

Originally Posted by Locke

Fantastic post, I love it....

BTW: A draw's not bad....

OT: I feel like native calgarians must have felt in 2004. Portugese people have sun, women in little clothes and a positive way to look at life. They don't need any European championship qualifications. But to us, and in november its just like pushing us to the green mile.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by Kipru

OT: I feel like native calgarians must have felt in 2004. Portugese people have sun, women in little clothes and a positive way to look at life. They don't need any European championship qualifications. But to us, and in november its just like pushing us to the green mile.

Holy! you are on a roll Finnish buddy. Hmm can you go and smack Esa Tikkanen for me? hehe

[Kipru]

Originally Posted by Kobatuzzied

Holy! you are on a roll Finnish buddy. Hmm can you go and smack Esa Tikkanen for me? hehe

Thanks, nothing gets me fired up like a thread about winter tyres. Now why would I smack our more-than-capable national junior team advisor, being that he has coached in South Korea? Nothing makes me happier that paying my tax euros to support a guy who asked Gerald Ford about their latest models.