when are you guys putting the winter tires on ??
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,671
From: Boston, MA
Never! 
But more usefully - the real value of snow tires is not just the bigger tread gaps, but also that they use a different compound that maintains flexibility at low temperatures. What I've generally seen is, under 40 degrees regular (think all season) rubber begins to harden, and snow tires will perform better even if there is no water or snow on the road. Of course, if there IS snow, them immediately snow tires are much much safer.
So that can be a good guideline for you. If you have to drive every day, the 10-day forecast has a lot of temps below freezing and nothing above 50, you might as well change them now while the weather is good.
But most people just wait until it snows and they see someone slide into a pickup truck ahead of them. Your choice
If you're curious, wife and I take the rail to work every day; and I live within walking distance of a small downtown. So I very rarely "need to" drive in the snow; and as a result I don't bother with the expense of another set of tires (I'd only drive a few thousand miles all winter). When it's cold and wet? I have to be a lot more careful than if I had em.
But more usefully - the real value of snow tires is not just the bigger tread gaps, but also that they use a different compound that maintains flexibility at low temperatures. What I've generally seen is, under 40 degrees regular (think all season) rubber begins to harden, and snow tires will perform better even if there is no water or snow on the road. Of course, if there IS snow, them immediately snow tires are much much safer.
So that can be a good guideline for you. If you have to drive every day, the 10-day forecast has a lot of temps below freezing and nothing above 50, you might as well change them now while the weather is good.
But most people just wait until it snows and they see someone slide into a pickup truck ahead of them. Your choice
If you're curious, wife and I take the rail to work every day; and I live within walking distance of a small downtown. So I very rarely "need to" drive in the snow; and as a result I don't bother with the expense of another set of tires (I'd only drive a few thousand miles all winter). When it's cold and wet? I have to be a lot more careful than if I had em.
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,704
From: Second house on the left
Having a complete set of snow tires ROCKS compared with All-Season tires.
That said, our other two cars are fitted with their snows as of this weekend. The Fit will wait til next weekend ('cause it's owner was busy).
That said, our other two cars are fitted with their snows as of this weekend. The Fit will wait til next weekend ('cause it's owner was busy).
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