Snow tires or Chains?

[xSkyDrAx]

For those of you in areas with little winter would you rather get snow tires or chains?

This is mainly for people with the option to encounter snow i.e go snowboarding but other than that there's no snow year round.

IMO it doesn't make a huge amount of sense to get snow tires for something you might do a few times a year but what if your car has AWD but only summer tires? Best to just get snow tires? Or stick some chains on it? And does chains mess with the AWD?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I live in an area with little snow

2wd = chains
awd/car = all season tires
4wd/truck = mud/snow tires (not actual snow tires like blizzaks though)

 

[jlee]

Keep in mind you're going to be limited to 25-30mph with most tire chains.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Ah good stuff to know.

Summer tires on snow is definitely a bad idea right? Even at low speeds?

 

[m0r1san]

I'm in upstate NY and used to just run all-seasons, but since last winter I made the switch the snow tires and now thinking of going back is frightening. Done summer tires in snow once and you really have no ability to start, steer, or brake.

That said, I don't know anyone that uses chains, or see chains around here. Not sure if they are illegal or what. I make at least a few snowboard trips a year and can do it in my lowered FWD car no problem with my setup. If you have AWD you can kinda get away with it, but it's equally frightening seeing how fast AWD trucks/cars go in snow with all-seasons, thinking they can stop.

 

[herm0016]

snow tires are the best option. we are required to have chains here over many of the mountian passes. I have a set of snow tires/wheels for the winter, and all terrains for the summer/spring/fall. I carry a good set of cables all the time.

if you can swing it, just get snow tires and a second set of wheels, mount them when you think you will encounter snow. The tire place i go to will swap them out for free.

 

[jlee]

Ah good stuff to know.

Summer tires on snow is definitely a bad idea right? Even at low speeds?

Heh oh yes.

 

[Leymenaide]

snow tires are the best option. we are required to have chains here over many of the mountian passes. I have a set of snow tires/wheels for the winter, and all terrains for the summer/spring/fall. I carry a good set of cables all the time.

if you can swing it, just get snow tires and a second set of wheels, mount them when you think you will encounter snow. The tire place i go to will swap them out for free.

I have driven over a million miles. Snow are the best. I love Toyo. I would in the past run them a year and get new in September. Now I have 2 sets for two cars.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Yea looks like there's no two ways around it. Second set of tires sound best.

 

[Zap]

Summer tires on snow is definitely a bad idea right? Even at low speeds?

Horrible, horrible idea. Let me tell you about the time I ended up in a ditch.

Brand new Mazdaspeed 6 with AWD and stock Summer performance tires.

Snow was falling.

Going around 25MPH on near flat ground, zero control, sliding sideways.

Uh, yeah.

If you don't want to go full out snow tires, you can always go an extra set of wheels with some all season tires. Less traction than snow tires in the slippery stuff, but at least won't turn into hockey pucks.

 

[bruceb]

Snow tires will work in most conditions. Some areas have restrictions on when tire chains can be used. That said, properly installed chains, will get anything moving in just about all snow conditions, provided you have a little ground clearance to the snow. Bad part, is if they fail or come loose, they can cause body damage to the vehicle.

 

[EagleKeeper]

snow tires are the best option. we are required to have chains here over many of the mountian passes. I have a set of snow tires/wheels for the winter, and all terrains for the summer/spring/fall. I carry a good set of cables all the time.

if you can swing it, just get snow tires and a second set of wheels, mount them when you think you will encounter snow. The tire place i go to will swap them out for free.

I have the same situation 200 miles south of you. Just do not have the rims for swapping. The extra weight for storing is a pain.

Road tires for the Jeeps from May-Sept
Snow tires for the winter months.

Big O tires swaps them out at no charge - also by doing so, extends the calendar life of the warranties.

both vehicle have a set of chains kept in the back during the winter months.
Chains are put on when ordered by the highway patrol or packed snow exists.

As others have said, you can not run at highway speeds with chains without destroying yourself and the vehicle.

 

[Evadman]

Last time I went though Colorado on 70 in a rental car, it was snowing over the pass. Car had really worn summer tires on it, and the simple act of downshifting from 20 mph would cause the front wheels to lock, and lose all steering control for about 50 feet in the snow. Was never as scared for myself driving before, but that 20 miles in the snow was horrible.

I also hit a huge melt stream that was crossing the road. There was no traffic in front of me, and it looked like the road was just wet, not a 1" deep running stream. Hit it at the speed limit in Vail, and the rear end tried to pass the front. I ended up about 25-30 degrees off of straight by the time I exited the water. That was also not fun; I had to keep adding power to try to get the ass end back in line with the front, since the front still had traction. I was nearly at steering wheel lock. It really hurt when I exited the water and the rear hooked up again. Smashed my head on the window as the ass end whipcracked back in line.

Totally get snow tires, and don't drive though wet pavement with crap tires.

 

[EagleKeeper]

<snip>
don't drive with crap tires.

Bolded for those that may be hard of understanding

 

[96Firebird]

I didn't know chains were still legal, I don't think they are around here and we (usually) have some serious snow...

And never try to drive during winter with summer tires in the north. We once had a freak snowstorm the day before Easter and I had to driving home from my buddy's house at 3am with my Firebird. It was my summer car, so it had summer tires on it. Scariest I've ever felt driving was that ride home. I was sliding back and forth from one side of the road to the other, luckily the roads were near empty. I had to stay in low second gear the whole way home, and it took a really long time. I hope I never have to do that again.

 

[IGemini]

I've gotten used to driving in winter road conditions with good all-season radials. Things get much better here once the plows have dumped some salt/sand after a storm. I'd love snow tires but can't afford them at the moment.

Chained tires are illegal in NY, the best possible thing you can put on your car in this state is studded tires.

 

[EagleKeeper]

In some states, studs are illegal period or just in non winter months; they beat the heck out of a road.

I have never heard of chains being illegal, but NY is NY. When one drives with chains, it is uncomfortable anyhow, so they are not used when not needed.

 

[IGemini]

I might've been operating on old info, seems they're only allowed/required in NY during a "snow emergency." I'm not sure what that means...even as recently as the 2006 Aphid storm I hadn't seen or heard of anyone wrapping chains. Studded tires are only legal October 16 through April 30 here.

 

[Vetterin]

Even living in Chicago there is no comparison between my Chevy Cruze Eco with snow tires and my AWD Subaru Legacy Wagon with All Season tires. The Chevy will run rings around the Subaru. Remember, snow tires are also better in freezing temperatures as they have a softer compound to grip the pavement.