Snow Tires or All Season?

[AWOL]

Where I am located I can get away with a good all season tire, but I'm considering a snow tire just because we have had a few bad winters here. I know most of my family that lives in upper New England have snow tires and regular tires. What do you have for your car?

 

[MaximumSpeed]

When I was growing up (in the northeastern USA), my family always switched to snow tires in the winter, but where I live now (southeastern USA), there is no need. I keep regular tires on the car at all times.

 

[FenderBender]

I just use all season radials on my car, I don't switch to snow tires. I have 4WD though so I don't worry to overmuch about the snow.

 

[UGoGirl]

The National Weather Service says we will be in a La Nina weather pattern this year, which means higher than average precipitation in some parts of the country this winter. If you live in one of those parts, I'd go with the snow tires.

 

[vroombaby]

I end up doing year round tires just because we never have enough snow on the ground to justify spending on specialty tires. We do have them for the truck but that is only for a dire emergency.

 

[Guy]

It really just depends on the prevailing weather conditions in your area during the winter. Driving in snow is much easier with snow tires if you get lots of snow.

 

[Hotrod25]

I use snow tires in the winter and all-season tires the rest of the time. A couple of years ago I actually switched to tires with studs on them. It was a terrible snowy winter and they worked great.

 

[Lamboguy]

Well, I live in Florida so I have regular tires, and when I was in Michigan I always had regular tires as well. I'm curious to know if snow tires actually do anything. I don't think anything is going to help when you're on some of the kind of ice I've been on.

 

[SpeedyG]

I live in the south as well, and never need anything other than all-purpose year-round radials. Is the snow in your area pretty bad in the winter time? What about just using chains whenever the need for more traction arises. I've seen those tires with metal studs in them too, which apparently work great.

 

[FiveSpeed]

I live in the south, so if we get any snow, it's usually just enough to cover the ground. If we get more than that, I'll just stay home. I have front wheel drive and can usually make it out of most problem areas.

 

[Lindsey]

If you live where you get lots of snow, you'll be happier with snow tires. In fact, in some parts of Canada it's mandatory to install snow tires in the winter because of the safety factor.