winter tires....huh??

[Turbo Matty P]

I know I'm going to come off ignorant, but why do you guys have to buy winter tires? Is it for traction or just to keep crud off your rims.

 

[Kooldino]

It's 'cause we don't live in alabama, and our nice big wheels w/ low profile tires won't get any traction in the ice/snow, causing us to run off the road and die.

 

[Turbo Matty P]

ok, so it's traction...I thought maybe something dealing with road salt or what not....

 

[ounkny]

Snow tires will give you better traction in the snow. It has nothing to do with the salt on the road. They put salt on the road when it snows so that tires don't slip as much in general.

Some other quick info about snow tires. They typically have less traction under non-snow conditions (although there are some "performance snow tires" out there that try to minimize this). They are also known to wear quickly when driven for long periods in non-snow conditions.

So basically those living in the "snow belt" often get snow tires because it makes commuting more practical. Those who are not would simply have no reason to get them, since all-season tires will have sufficient traction for the occasional light-snow conditions.

 

[Turbo Matty P]

typically how long are you guys out of your wheels? I would be pissed to spend so much money on a great set of wheels only to be able to use them for 8 months out of the year.

p.s. Another good thing about Alabama....catalytic convertors not required. WHEEE!!!

 

[ounkny]

It really varies depending on the location. I assume that you're talking about a location in the snow belt.

I used to live in New York City and all-season tires were good enough, provided that the snow crews plowed the streets on time. In more rural areas, it'd be a safer bet to have the dedicated snow tires.

But you're probably about right. You would only need to have the snow tires on from maybe late October until March or so, so maybe 5 months tops.

 

[Turbo Matty P]

jeez, 5 months with ass-looking rims. Might as well ride the bus for all the cool points you're going lose!

p.s. The bus system here is like a mobile sleeping bag for the homeless. No'one actually uses it, they just drive the homeless around all day to keep them off the streets. Are the buses popular there? I hear Atlanta has a pretty good bus system.

 

[fatorangecat]

Actually, it doesn't matter because *everybodys* car looks like crap over the winter. The whole car get covered with filth- doesn't matter how many times you wash it.

 

[Pmpkinhead]

My car doesn't look like crap all winter. I bought factory MSP Racing Harts for the winter and use Michelin Alpine (215-45-17) High Performance Snow Tires for 5 months. They are not "ALL SEASON RADIALS". I couldn't stand the thought of changing the look of the car for the winter. I do use the drive thru car wash 4 or 5 times in the winter. I wash it by hand on the 50+ Degree days.
I debating if I should pull off the ground effects and wax under them (just the metal).
1244 (msporange

 

[Logan]

Pmpkinhead, you are a truly dedicated enthusiast.

 

[mazdamp3_18]

if you want to know why it is better to have winter tires and wheels check this link out....

http://www.discounttire.com/dtc/brochure/winter/winterFAQ.jsp

http://www.discounttire.com/dtc/brochure/info/winterTireMounting.jsp

 

[Turbo Matty P]

honestly, I had no idea this thread would last this long. I got the answers I needed. Traction and corrosion! Thanks guys!!

 

[Swerny]

ok, so it's traction...I thought maybe something dealing with road salt or what not....

Road salt will destroy the finish of our wheels as well.
Also, if/when you slide into a curb or pothole, you ruin a 5 inch steelie, not a 17 inch Racing Hart. Big $ difference.

 

[PeaB0dy]

To add on to this subject..

Hi,

has ant one tried driving with the tires that come with the car in the snow..

I am debating on wether to get just some standard all season tires that will handle well (had michelins on previous car, were great..) or actual winter tires. I do lots of highway driving, but there are only a few days of real snow, the rest of the time it's just wet and a little slippery..

 

[toucci]

if you want to know why it is better to have winter tires and wheels check this link out....

http://www.discounttire.com/dtc/brochure/winter/winterFAQ.jsp

http://www.discounttire.com/dtc/brochure/info/winterTireMounting.jsp

haha those links contradict each other concerning the number of tires needed for RWD cars

classic