Yet another tire question. Old Car. All-season.

[Rathji]

They staged it to make winter tires look better by always having the car that they expect to skid on the same side. By the last test you can very clearly see that the bottom side (the one that the all seasons are always on) is packed hard from all the previous sliding on it, while the other track seems to be in a lot better shape.

If it was not intentional then these people are severely stupid, so I am assuming it was intentional to make the winter tires look as good as possible in comparison.

Edit: Keep in mind I am not meaning that winter tires are not worth it, just that these guys can't run a valid test worth a damn.

[chid]

I have never driven in winter in Calgary with winter tires. I drive a 90 front wheel drive Subaru, now I would LOVE a set of winter tires, but money is always a factor for me come time to get them. I do believe winter tires help but some drivers need a lot more than tires to be smarter.. I know my car and on the ridiculous days of 180 accidents I just stay home for my own safety. I guess my point is, is that it doesn't matter what you buy to improve the safety of your car, idiots will still find a way to be unsafe and crash. I don't believe I'm stupid for not having ever purchased winter tires.

[greyshep]

I dont know this to be the gospel truth, but I was told by a tire retailer a year ago that most winter tires are usually only beneficial for the first season or two, and in Calgary usually just one.

Reason being, aside from the odd winter storm like this past week, we generally drive on dry pavement for most of our winters in this chinook country. The rubber compounds that make winter tires beneficial are typically softer materials and those that stick to ice are generally only the first 10 percent of the tread. This beneficial material is quickly worn off on dry pavement.

This is something that has always discouraged me from buying blizzaks for example. If we were in Quebec or somewhere that has snow for months on end I can see the benefits, but here it seems like a bit of a luxury considering our driving conditions through the majority of our winter.

Not saying anyone who has purchased winter tires is wrong for doing so. Just a couple of thoughts that were expressed to me by a "tire professional". Once again I dont know if he was full of crap or not.

[Flames89]

This wasn't supposed to turn into yet another All-Season vs Winter tire debate.

I live in an apt in dt Toronto. Winter tires are not an option.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by greyshep

The rubber compounds that make winter tires beneficial are typically softer materials and those that stick to ice are generally only the first 10 percent of the tread. This beneficial material is quickly worn off on dry pavement.

This is true for Blizzak tires, but not for all.

[REDVAN]

Originally Posted by Flames89

This wasn't supposed to turn into yet another All-Season vs Winter tire debate.

I live in an apt in dt Toronto. Winter tires are not an option.

Why does where you live determine how safe your car is?

[WindomURL]

He means he has no garage where he can store a second set of tires.