Should Winter Tires be Necessary?

[speede5]

Originally Posted by llama64

I live in the core - I don't drive unless it's absolutely necessary.

Government mandated snow tires would a gigantic pain in the ass for me. Where am I supposed to store them? All seasons are good enough - I'm sure snow tires are better (if they weren't, there wouldn't be a market). But for the amount I drive, I can handle winter driving in Calgary on all seasons.

If the Government is going to mandate us to spend a lot of money on tires useful for only 4 months of the year, they then are sure as hell going to offer a rebate for those of us smart enough to reduce our commute to include no driving.

I totally agree with your position, and that is one of the reasons why I don't support mandating them. I wouldn't want to have to buy them for my 4X4 either, as it does fine on all-terrains. I was merely saying they are better in winter and if you have the means to make them work it doesn't mean you are a lesser man for using them.

[Dynamic]

My commute is 100% highway so I have never had winter tires for my car, I just take my time, leave more room, and enjoy the drive.

However, if I lived in the city I would be getting them. Trying to navigate a snow and ice covered street with a Civic with all seasons is a chore.

[Raekwon]

Where do you live? Its not Alberta thats forsure.

Originally Posted by mrkajz44

For all those who think all season are just as good, how about this: After having an accident in the snow/ice, your insurance requires you to buy winter tires until the incident comes off your record.

[Northendzone]

count me in with those that beleive madatory use of turn signals should be implemented and by mandatory use i mean don't wait to apply the signal 10 feet before you intend to turn.

i also like the idea of the government issuing snow brushes to everyone - i assume those that don't use them (ie. clear off head and tail lights, rear & side windows), navigate via "the force"....

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by Northendzone

i also like the idea of the government issuing snow brush beatings to everyone that don't use them (ie. clear off head and tail lights, rear & side windows), navigate via "the force"....

fyp

[octothorp]

I find my all-weathers to be a vast improvement over all-seasons and as good as winter tires in 90% of situations including stopping, but the one place I find their performance a little lacking compared to winter tires is starting from a standstill on ice. I'll definitely never go back to all-seasons, though.

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by Kybosh

Honestly, I've never been stuck getting up a hill with all seasons. As long as my tires aren't bald it has never been a problem. If the weather/road conditions are so bad that I don't think my vehicle can handle it, I make alternate arrangements. Simple as that.

Not all all-seasons are created equal. I've not made it up hills in my all seasons. They were brand new. "Alternate arrangements" is not always a solution, same with finding another route. Buying winter tires is a much more practical and realistic solution than not driving or going way out of the way.

Here was my situation. My new car came with crappy all seasons. I guess I could have struggled, not driven, and taken the long way until my all seasons wore out and then bought new ones. Or I buy winters and use my all seasons in the summer.

I've seen the phrase "decent all seasons" used several times in this thread. What if you don't have decent all seasons to be begin with? Obviously this is the case for many because of the several cars I saw stuck on the overpass near my place. Instead of a "decent" driving experience in the winter why not have a safer one?

[Burninator]

Originally Posted by kipperfan

Teach one how to avoid area's that might cause them trouble? I have been driving around for the past week in super low profile, high performance summer tires and have not yet been a hinderance to traffic nor have I come close to causing an accident. Planning ahead, avoiding trouble spots, driving on 50/60KM/h roads instead of 70/80KM/h roads and understanding your vehicle are all a big help in this weather.

For the record, I do have winters and I am putting them on ASAP, just haven't had a chance to do so yet.

I was driving across the city last week in a car with pretty good all seasons. They don't get stuck that much, but icy hills can be a problem. I was keeping a safe distance at all times. And I probably got cut off by other people about 6 times (all trucks and SUV's). It doesn't matter how careful you drive if someone cuts you off and slams on their brakes all your carefully planning and driving is smashed between bumpers.