The Winter's Coming Winter Tires Thread

[Calgary14]

We got winters a few seasons ago after years of not wanting to spend the extra $. The difference is huge. We will never use all-seasons in the winter again.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Calgary14

We got winters a few seasons ago after years of not wanting to spend the extra $. The difference is huge. We will never use all-seasons in the winter again.

And as you're probably well aware, your summer tires will last twice as long as well. The initial outlay is a bit of a hit, but over time, having winters tires isn't really more expensive.

[Calgary14]

Also forgot to mention we got them on a separate set of rims. Not sure how that affects longevity but it's easier to change out. I can change them myself in the spring and fall rather than going to a tire shop and waiting hours

[Brannigans Law]

one bad part about getting winter tires is if like me one of yours gets a flat that cant be repaired and they're too old to replace. so now i have to go back to my all season tires quite early. i plan on getting winters in the fall but dont kid yourselves, buying winter tires is an extra expense in the long run (which may be mitigated by an accident you dont haveI guess)

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Brannigans Law

one bad part about getting winter tires is if like me one of yours gets a flat that cant be repaired and they're too old to replace. so now i have to go back to my all season tires quite early. i plan on getting winters in the fall but dont kid yourselves, buying winter tires is an extra expense in the long run (which may be mitigated by an accident you dont haveI guess)

There is no bad part about winter tires. If everyone had to get them winters in Calgary would be a much better and safer place to drive.

[Ahuch]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

And as you're probably well aware, your summer tires will last twice as long as well. The initial outlay is a bit of a hit, but over time, having winters tires isn't really more expensive.

They're more expensive, rubber isn't the only cost.

Second set of rims (non-steelies since winter is longer than summer here), 4 TPMS, decent winter rubber and it can add up quickly.

I'm not saying it's not worth it, but there's definitely some cost involved.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

There is no bad part about winter tires. If everyone had to get them winters in Calgary would be a much better and safer place to drive.

Did you even bother to read his post? I will agree that Calgary would be a safer place to drive if everybody had them, but to try and tell people there are no "cons" whatsoever is completely irresponsible.

Winter tires cost more than just running all seasons year-round. Period. The costs are not always as much as the initial cash outlay, as others have said you now have tires that last longer. (ie- all seasons good for 8 years instead of 4.)

The one piece of contrary info I'd have for BL- having winter tires means I always have a full sized spare available. It's nice to be able to swap a tire out and bring it to the shop to be fixed, and being able to pick it up a few days later. Instead of having to make an appointment, wait around, etc.

[BigNumbers]

Originally Posted by Brannigans Law

one bad part about getting winter tires is if like me one of yours gets a flat that cant be repaired and they're too old to replace. so now i have to go back to my all season tires quite early. i plan on getting winters in the fall but dont kid yourselves, buying winter tires is an extra expense in the long run (which may be mitigated by an accident you dont haveI guess)

I suggest you rethink that... They are (assuming the winters cost the same per tire as your all seasons) NO MATERIAL EXTRA COST over the life of the vehicle:

Example 1 - NO winters
- If you drive 100,000KM and have to replace your all seasons at 50K KM, and the tires cost $200 each, you have paid: $200 x 4 tires x 2 set (initial and the replacements at 50K KM)

- Total Cost: $1,600 in tires

Example 2 - WITH winters
- You by 2 sets of tires at the beginning, a set of winters and a set of summers. This costs you: $200 x 4 tires x 2 sets (winters/summers) = $1,600.
- You buy steel rims for the winters at $50 x $4 = $200. No cost to swap tires now.
- As you switch halfway through the year, each set of tires is only worn 50K KM, so you do not need to replace them over the 100K KM example period, unlike the NO winters scenario, where you have to replace your tires halfway through.

- At the sale of the car at 100,000KM you sell the steel rims for $150 on Kijiji

- Total cost: $1,650 in tires and rims


Conclusion

For measly $50 overt the life of the car (100,000KM) you have had SAFE WINTER TIRES ON SEPARATE RIMS FOR THE WHOLE TIME.

It's a no brainer and should be the law.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Ahuch

They're more expensive, rubber isn't the only cost.

Second set of rims (non-steelies since winter is longer than summer here), 4 TPMS, decent winter rubber and it can add up quickly.

I'm not saying it's not worth it, but there's definitely some cost involved.

Solution - winter tires year round

[photon]

Exactly

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by photon

Exactly

Exactly. Many winter tires aren't as susceptible to heat and dry roads as they used to be, manufacturers are even starting to re-brand winter tires as "all weather" tires to help people get around that myth.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

There is no bad part about winter tires. If everyone had to get them winters in Calgary would be a much better and safer place to drive.

I use M/S tires on my Ford Escape and have zero problems with traction this winter. Nor have I held people up or been in any accidents. For sure winters might help but from what i've seen people need to be taught how to drive for the conditions during the winter months. That to me is the bigger problem.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Dion

I use M/S tires on my Ford Escape and have zero problems with traction this winter. Nor have I held people up or been in any accidents. For sure winters might help but from what i've seen people need to be taught how to drive for the conditions during the winter months. That to me is the bigger problem.

With AWD your issue won't really be traction, it'll be emergency stops.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by btimbit

With AWD your issue won't really be traction, it'll be emergency stops.

For sure and I make sure if the road conditions are bad (really icy) to leave a lot of distance between me and the driver ahead of me. I know what my vehicle can or can't do in winter or icy conditions. I appreciate the fact that AWD doesn't mean you can stop on a dime or that I can always accelerate quickly in bad road conditions.

Many of the accidents you see in winter are caused by drivers not driving for the conditions. That doesn't mean winters won't reduce that, it's just that I think teaching people how to drive for the conditions would make the roads a lot safer to drive on also.

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Dion

For sure and I make sure if the road conditions are bad (really icy) to leave a lot of distance between me and the driver ahead of me. I appreciate the fact that AWD doesn't mean you can stop on a dime or that I can always accelerate quickly in bad road conditions.

Many of the accidents you see in winter are caused by drivers not driving for the conditions. That doesn't mean winters won't reduce that, it's just that I think teaching people how to drive for the conditions would make the roads a lot safer to drive on.

No arguments here on any of that. Education should be step 1.

[CRXguy]

Was wondering if anyone has experienced this before.

I have Toyo Garit KX winter tires on both my 1995 Acura Integra and 2009 Civic. When the roads are icy, my Civic feels like it's floating on the road and it kinda swerves sideways. This happens when I'm going straight and somewhat worse around a long bend.

The Integra is completely normal under the same conditions. I've checked the tire pressure and it's within range. Tire wear looks normal. Alignment was done summer 2012.

[ken0042]

Are the tires directional; and you have one or more going backwards?

[worth]

Originally Posted by Dion

For sure and I make sure if the road conditions are bad (really icy) to leave a lot of distance between me and the driver ahead of me. I know what my vehicle can or can't do in winter or icy conditions. I appreciate the fact that AWD doesn't mean you can stop on a dime or that I can always accelerate quickly in bad road conditions.

Many of the accidents you see in winter are caused by drivers not driving for the conditions. That doesn't mean winters won't reduce that, it's just that I think teaching people how to drive for the conditions would make the roads a lot safer to drive on also.

As you say, the problem may well be other people. You may be a great driver and leave lots of space, but the idiot beside you who swerves into your lane or flies over the median in front of you is the problem. It doesn't matter how good of a driver or how much space you leave, emergency situations can be out of nowhere and not your fault at all. Spending the extra money upfront for a huge advantage in winter tires is a no brainer for me. Driving a 4000lb death box, I want to make sure I can do everything possible to be safe, not 80% safe.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by ken0042

Did you even bother to read his post? I will agree that Calgary would be a safer place to drive if everybody had them, but to try and tell people there are no "cons" whatsoever is completely irresponsible.

There are no cons and I stand by that. Irresponsible is arguing against snow tires in this part of the world.

[Vulcan]

I find when I leave enough space because of bad conditions, there are lots of nutso drivers willing to fill up that space, thus thwarting my efforts.