The Winter's Coming Winter Tires Thread

[Jimmy Stang]

Random thought: does anyone have any guesses about what percentage of the population in Calgary actually use winter tires?

Obviously, you can get a good estimate by looking for steel wheels, but some people have a second set of alloys, hubcaps, or even re-mount their winters to their regular set of wheels. For winter, I have steelies on one car and alloys on the other.

It just seems like the idea of winter tires is a very polarizing topic. Those who use them swear by them. Those that don't use them think that they're unnecessary. When I was in Sweden (just the Stockholm area) in March a couple of years ago, it seemed that every car had winter tires, and most of them had studded tires (although studded tires are probably overkill for Calgary's climate and, IIRC, illegal). Despite also being a "northern" country, it seems that here we tend to use all-seasons and then complain that the roads are bad instead of being more proactive about winter driving.

I'm just not sure whether it is a cultural thing, a regional thing to this part of Canada (maybe Manitobans take winter more seriously, for example), etc. I'm seriously not trying to make this a winter tires vs. all seasons debate, but I am genuinely curious about how drivers in other winter regions prepare themselves.

[Regular_John]

Last spring I took the winter tires off when I got a flat, it was late in the year so it worked out that it was time to take em off anyways. But now I'm stuck waiting a few days to get the flat one repaired. Not a fun drive this morning.

But can't wait to get them on, they do make a difference for sure.

[tete]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

I'm just not sure whether it is a cultural thing, a regional thing to this part of Canada (maybe Manitobans take winter more seriously, for example), etc. I'm seriously not trying to make this a winter tires vs. all seasons debate, but I am genuinely curious about how drivers in other winter regions prepare themselves.

Oddly enough, I don't know of many Manitobans who have winter tires - when I grew up there, everyone in my family ran on all-season tires. I found that in Manitoba it was rare that the roads were really bad, more often it was just cold as heck. You don't get the freeze-thaw like we do in Calgary and Winnipeg has amazing road-clearing budgets.

That said, we bought our first ever set of winter tires last week and I don't think I'll do without them here in Calgary now. I still have all-seasons on our second car, but it's rarely ever driven and a set of tires would cost more than the car is worth right now.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by tete

Oddly enough, I don't know of many Manitobans who have winter tires - when I grew up there, everyone in my family ran on all-season tires. I found that in Manitoba it was rare that the roads were really bad, more often it was just cold as heck. You don't get the freeze-thaw like we do in Calgary and Winnipeg has amazing road-clearing budgets.

Maybe that's where the disconnect happens - Calgary's climate, being extreme and full of freezing and thawing, could actually be more appropriate for using winter tires but the perception is "we don't get much snow, so I don't need winter tires." Whereas a place like Winnipeg gets a lot of snow, but they don't get the temperature changes, the ice, etc. Interesting.

We're not a snowy climate per se compared to most of Canada, but we're an icy climate for sure. The worst commutes that I can recall are not due to snow alone, but wet snow combined with a temperature drop.

[BlackArcher101]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

Random thought: does anyone have any guesses about what percentage of the population in Calgary actually use winter tires?

Obviously, you can get a good estimate by looking for steel wheels, but some people have a second set of alloys, hubcaps, or even re-mount their winters to their regular set of wheels. For winter, I have steelies on one car and alloys on the other.

It just seems like the idea of winter tires is a very polarizing topic. Those who use them swear by them. Those that don't use them think that they're unnecessary. When I was in Sweden (just the Stockholm area) in March a couple of years ago, it seemed that every car had winter tires, and most of them had studded tires (although studded tires are probably overkill for Calgary's climate and, IIRC, illegal). Despite also being a "northern" country, it seems that here we tend to use all-seasons and then complain that the roads are bad instead of being more proactive about winter driving.

I'm just not sure whether it is a cultural thing, a regional thing to this part of Canada (maybe Manitobans take winter more seriously, for example), etc. I'm seriously not trying to make this a winter tires vs. all seasons debate, but I am genuinely curious about how drivers in other winter regions prepare themselves.

Great post with some interesting questions. You are right, as it appears to vastly depend on geopgraphical area and perhaps cultures. Europeans seem to take great pride in sporting winter tires and is greatly accepted as the norm. Come to North America and it's nearly the opposite (so it appears). I really think it comes down to North Americans being too used to convienence, with it being much easier (and cheaper) to just pass responsibilities onto others.

I can't really find any information on the net regarding the utilization rate of winter tires in Alberta. I think I'll walk the condo parkade tonight and get a ratio count of winter tires to all-seasons. I'll do it again in a couple of weeks because I'm assuming there will be a large number of purchases of winters after this week.

[taco.vidal]

Manitoba is for the most very flat. In Winnipeg about the only elevation changes you encounter on the road are bridges and under passes. On my commute in Calgary in winter, hilly streets are the worst for traffic coming to a standstill and crashes. You can see people spinning their all seasons trying to get up the hill and sliding/skidding down the hill as they try to stop while those with winter tires are much more in control.

[TylerSVT]

Originally Posted by anyonebutedmonton

Is it worth the extra cash to go with the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 5 ?

I am on the discount tire direct site and its and extra 250 to go from a Bridgestone Blizzak WS60 to the Nokian. Is the upgrade worth it?

Not really.

If you are looking for a GREAT tire that isnt going to be expensive, the Hankook Winter Ipikes are awesome. My mom and brother have them on their cars and they rock. They have a very similar tread design to the Nokians, they handle deep snow really well and are great in the ice. They can also be studded if you want with metal or rubber studs.

http://www.discounttiredirect.com/di...w=false&cs=195

[yads]

Ok, so I either got really crappy winter tires or I'm expecting too much. I got Toyo GO2s. They feel no better than my all seasons.

[bradster57]

Originally Posted by yads

Ok, so I either got really crappy winter tires or I'm expecting too much. I got Toyo GO2s. They feel no better than my all seasons.

Maybe wait until there is more ice than snow on the roads? IIRC, the Toyo G02s are decent.

I noticed a HUGE difference with my Nokian Hakka Rs.

[fundmark19]

So glad I put my winters on monday night! Been great since then. Only problem is they make my car shake so it feels like I am in a rodeo. Going to get them balanced on thursday hopefully that will fix the problem

[yads]

Originally Posted by bradster57

Maybe wait until there is more ice than snow on the roads? IIRC, the Toyo G02s are decent.

I noticed a HUGE difference with my Nokian Hakka Rs.

The ice is where I'm noticing that I'm not getting any kind of performance boost. I'm slipping and sliding just as much as I would be with my all seasons. I have virtually zero traction accelerating from an icy 4 way stop for example.

[Sliver]

Originally Posted by yads

The ice is where I'm noticing that I'm not getting any kind of performance boost. I'm slipping and sliding just as much as I would be with my all seasons. I have virtually zero traction accelerating from an icy 4 way stop for example.

RWD or FWD? What kind of car? Are the tires wide...the wider your tires are the worse they are on ice.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by yads

Ok, so I either got really crappy winter tires or I'm expecting too much. I got Toyo GO2s. They feel no better than my all seasons.

Although you should see a difference in weather like this, you'll really notice it when a bunch of cars are spinning their wheels at an intersection or trying to get up a slight incline. You'll just cruise on past them. One of my cars has some really cheap winter tires, and even those are a noticeable improvement. Keep in mind that I also run summer tires in the summer, which are VERY bad in winter - so yeah, if I leave those on too long, I'm done.

Of course, and you probably already know this, you still can't punch the accelerator or slam on the brakes and expect miracles. But if you give them a good chance to grip onto the ice, the difference is quite noticeable. But, as mentioned, there's a lot of fresh snow and it may take a few drives in differing conditions to really get the feel for them.

Edit: Just saw your response about the ice being the problem. That's interesting. I'm not sure what the issue might be then. Manual or automatic?

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by fundmark19

So glad I put my winters on monday night! Been great since then. Only problem is they make my car shake so it feels like I am in a rodeo. Going to get them balanced on thursday hopefully that will fix the problem

I have noticed some vibration on mine also through the steering wheel, particularly at higher speeds (pre-snow, of course) on roads like Stoney. I think that I'll be in to get them balanced as soon as the rush is over. I bought these ones used last year on Kijiji and they were already mounted on the rims, so I have no idea how long they've been on there so a balancing would probably be good for them.

[worth]

You should also notice a difference in you ability to turn. A lot of times with all seasons you can turn, and the car will still go straight. Winters should grip in turns a lot better.

[yads]

Originally Posted by Sliver

RWD or FWD? What kind of car? Are the tires wide...the wider your tires are the worse they are on ice.

Interesting.

It's a FWD Altima and the tires are 205s. The main things I've noticed is this morning going on Mount Royal Gate about 30 km/hr coming up to the lights I begin to spin out as I start to decelerate. Yesterday, at a 4 way stop on ice I was having a hard time getting any kind of traction when I was accelerating.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by yads

Interesting.

It's a FWD Altima and the tires are 205s. The main things I've noticed is this morning going on Mount Royal Gate about 30 km/hr coming up to the lights I begin to spin out as I start to decelerate. Yesterday, at a 4 way stop on ice I was having a hard time getting any kind of traction when I was accelerating.

Very strange. This is a long shot, but are they over-inflated? That might reduce your traction a little, but not as drastically as you're describing.

[yads]

I'll have to check, I got them put on about a month ago and I haven't checked the tire pressure since then. I'm planning to call the shop that sold them to me, if I can get through, lol. Sounds like everyone is scrambling to get some tires put on.

[lazy_programmer]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

I have noticed some vibration on mine also through the steering wheel, particularly at higher speeds (pre-snow, of course) on roads like Stoney. I think that I'll be in to get them balanced as soon as the rush is over. I bought these ones used last year on Kijiji and they were already mounted on the rims, so I have no idea how long they've been on there so a balancing would probably be good for them.

Not necessarily the cause of your problem given it's only been 2 days since the snow started. But last year we had vibrations through the steering wheel, the mechanics said it was built up snow/ice behind the rims. Took it to the car wash and sprayed behind there and the vibration went away.

[fundmark19]

Mine was vibrating pre snow as well. I need an oil change done anyways so I figured might as well get them balanced. Bought off Kijiji as well so hoping nothing is majorly wrong with them. I know its not car alignment as I just got that done a month ago