Winter driving in PA all seasons vs Snow tires. What do you have and why?

Submitted by RemoteStatement t3_zon8tp in Pennsylvania

Hi, I live in central PA near the Allegheny mountain summit .What do you have on your car Winter tires or All season tires? Is your car All wheel drive front wheel drive or 4 wheel drive? I drive about 60 miles round trip for work up and down a mountain and have never owned a pair of winter tires in my life. I am considering getting a set though .The last 6 or 7 years I've been driving front wheel drive Toyotas with manual transmissions. My current car is a 2007 Toyota corolla that has half worn out Douglas all season tires on them (great tire for the price).I've always made it but there were more than one occasion that things got tricky. I getting new tires for sure but not sure if the winter tires are worth it. I only have 1 set of rims and it would be a pain in the ass changing back and forth. If I don't get all seasons I'm going to probably get Goodyear winter command tires because of the price ( not the Ultra version).Any thoughts? What will it do to the handling of my car ?It seems most just run All season tires. Thanks in advance.

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I went ahead and ordered 4 Goodyear winter command snow tires should be here by Wednesday . No rims but I ran a wanted add but I doubt I will have them by then but will probably have a good used set by next winter. Thanks for all your comments sorry if I couldn't respond to them all this thread was more popular than I anticipated. Have a safe winter everyone.

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newworldman1070 t1_j0nvpfh wrote

I live in northern rural PA. We get a ton of snow and very little winter maintenance as compared to the more populated areas.

I have always run snow tires on all my vehicles and made sure to have them on by Election Day at the latest. All season tires do fine in most conditions, but snow tires really excel in hard packed snowy roads, which i spend a good amount of time driving. The rubber is softer and they have a better grip than the harder all seasons.

I also carry chains for each of our vehicles and have to use them a few times each year.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0nwecz wrote

Where I live is rural but I go into a more populated area to work. If it wasn't for that mountain I would just run all season .You would think with the amount of travel and the amount of mishaps they would take care of that area a little better but there are allot of roads. Thanks for your reply.

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Commissar-Porkchop t1_j0pe2jt wrote

Chances are a set of snow tires is cheaper than your deductable and will last you a few years. All season's are nice usually, but I managed to stop around a turn when I saw an accident and had 5, 5!!! cars fly around me into the oncoming traffic's lane. Really sold me on them. Winter tires are miles better than all seasons, the 2 times a year it really matters can save you a ton of headache and money.

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drxdrg08 t1_j0w1qqt wrote

> All season's are nice usually, but I managed to stop around a turn when I saw an accident and had 5, 5!!! cars fly around me into the oncoming traffic's lane.

That's the thing. If all seasons are not enough to get you to where you are going, then you should not be on the road at all. Someone else will crash into you even if you have snow tires.

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Commissar-Porkchop t1_j1c56mk wrote

Me being 100% at fault for an accident vs me possibly being in an accident where I am at no fault.

I don't have the liberty to take days off due to weather. It doesn't matter what the weather is. I need to get there. A few inches of snow doesn't bother me at all. Take it slow, just make sure I make it to work.

To the grocery store? Yeah fuck that. But I absolutely have to make it to work no matter what. No I'm not switching jobs. They're all like that in my field and it pays to much.

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timewellwasted5 t1_j0o4qip wrote

I’ve been driving in PA winters for 20 years this year. I always thought snow tires were unnecessary, as I often did fine with all seasons. My wife teaches in a pretty rural school district and insisted on them. The first year we were married, so we got them. One day during a pretty bad snowstorm I had to drive to a client site to fix some thing. I decided to take her car since it had snow tires on it, and I was blown away by the performance. We now both get snow tires on our cars every year. absolutely worth the money in my opinion. I’m glad I listened to her.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0oev36 wrote

Ya once I get them there may be no going back. Thanks for your reply.

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EngineAnnual t1_j0pmbxm wrote

Tbh I used to only have all seasons when I lived in Buffalo but their snow response is pretty phenomenal so the roads would be bad but they’d get cleared real quick

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PsychologicalAerie53 t1_j0swpjx wrote

This. Most people who say all-seasons are sufficient never drove on modern snow tires. I have studded tires from my time in Maine now and they're even better, especially on ice. They are louder obviously but I'll take performance over noise.

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[deleted] t1_j0nutpt wrote

I grew up in Buffalo and have always used all season.

I did spend several years in Oregon where they don’t salt the roads. Tire chains are required and they work amazingly well.

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Im_100percent_human t1_j0ofis3 wrote

When I lived in Western NY, pretty much everyone I knew just ran all-seasons on their car. Where I live now people cannot believe that, in one of the snowiest parts of the country, most people don't have dedicated snow tires.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0nvbgd wrote

I haven't seen tire chains on a car in years although they do work. Did you just run strait all seasons on you vehicle in Buffalo? Thanks for the reply

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[deleted] t1_j0o2f80 wrote

Yep. All seasons in BUF. Front wheel drive.

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100_cats_on_a_phone t1_j0p1aaz wrote

I have chains in my van for emergencies. But I go on a lot of back & private roads, not always with cellular access.

Also using the chains is abysmal. I'll try pretty much anything before I get them out.

Have you gotten stuck/slid much op? It's not like... Like I think it sounds scarier than it is.

Edit: also in the worst case your auto insurance will probably get you out of a ditch at no charge, the same way they'll send someone to change a flat to a donut. (In a blizzard maybe not, but in day to day stuff.)

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0s1x03 wrote

No never stuck yet came close to loosing traction going up hill .That's why I went ahead and ordered a set of Goodyear winter command tires today. Should be here by Wednesday. They are not the best winter tires ever but I bet they will be ok. They were on sale for 78.00 apiece got 4.Thanks for your response.

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drewbaccaAWD t1_j0o5y0o wrote

I left my last set of chains in Seattle.. actually regretted that a couple of storms back here in PA.

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INVUJerry t1_j0o3pq1 wrote

I got by with all seasons for years, but sat year I got a set of snow tires and my god it made a big difference. Putting just snow tires on the front vs having them on both axles makes a big difference. If you have a way to store 4 wheels and tires, getting a set of steel wheels to run snow tires on from November to April is a great idea. And I’m all the way down in York county.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0o57tq wrote

Storage is no problem .That would be ideal. Thanks for your reply.

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INVUJerry t1_j0o5j7g wrote

I have a manual fwd dodge neon that I’ve used my snow tires on, so it’s a similar experience. In places where I would have had to use a lot of wheel spin to get going, and sawing the wheel back and forth, snow tires would just bite into the snow and get me moving forward. It was really puzzling until I got used to it.

Helps a lot on muddy ground too, but it’ll throw dirt everywhere. And my summer tires are also Douglas tires lol.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0oeons wrote

Ya those Douglas tires are good for the price. I've had them on 3 different cars now. Thanks for your reply.

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Equivalent_Alps_8321 t1_j0sdpq3 wrote

steel wheels?

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INVUJerry t1_j0sj681 wrote

Yeah, most car wheels are either aluminum or steel. Steel wheels generally take hubcaps, and are seen as ugly to some people. They’re usually a lot cheaper to buy, especially if you’re not afraid of going to the junkyard to pull a set yourself, or if you’re handy with watching sites like Craigslist or Facebook marketplace. I bought a set of used snow tires with steel wheels for $100 last year. The wheels didn’t fit my car so I could sell them separately but I still have them kicking around my garage for now.

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medium_green_enigma t1_j0o5g2c wrote

I run on Blizzaks in the winter because I love watching SUVs spinning on their all- season tires while I pull away.

When I drove to Truckee in the winter I invested in chains. Kept them in the VW van I drove back then and got so I could put them on in less than 5 minutes. Highly recommend them for mountain driving.

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Agentx6021 t1_j0p5d6a wrote

Blizzak WS90 baby!

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scottawhit t1_j0pz2dd wrote

Just put them on the wife’s car. I’ve had all the generations, excited to see if the 90s are better than 70/80

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Agentx6021 t1_j0qeeny wrote

Haven’t noticed a difference in the snow. But they are quieter on the road in normal conditions and slightly better gas mileage

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0olnrj wrote

Ya, Blizzaks seem to be a popular winter tire. They are probably better than the Goodyear winter command tires that I'm looking at. Thanks for your response .

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scottawhit t1_j0pz8re wrote

I’ve run blizzak, Michelin x-I, and currently have wintercommand one one car, wintercommand ultra on the other. Honestly, just buy whatever is on sale from the big names. Blizzaks have the best snow grip, XI are the quietest, commands ride we’ll all year. But you’re splitting hairs at this point.

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GoBuuku t1_j0o1vil wrote

All seasons should be called "no seasons" because they aren't particularly good in any season. If you have a decent commute (which I would say you do) and can afford an extra set of rims (you can go super cheap steel rims if need be), get snow tires. They are so worth it. I personally wouldn't pay to have tires swapped out 2x a year on the same rims. When the snows are on, you aren't wearing out your regular tires and vice versa. You can always sell the 2nd set of wheels if you get rid of the car too.

For all the AWD and 4WD comments, it certainly does help you get going, but all cars are 4 wheel braking and handling. Just because you can get going with your AWD or 4WD doesn't mean you can stop or turn any better than 2wd vehicles. I see more people wreck because they get so overconfident in their vehicle because it is AWD/4WD.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0o2l0d wrote

Ya if I go with winter tires I will probably buy another set of rims to mount them on before next winter . I've seen plenty of 4 wheel drives wrecked for the reason you mentioned. Thanks for your reply.

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XavierRex83 t1_j0nwn00 wrote

I love around Pittsburgh and have never had anything but all-weather tires. Just make sure you have tread and don't drive like an ass. Also, our snow tends to be a little more manageable than in other places in the state.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0nx6s6 wrote

Ya it seems like it doesn't get as bad down there. I always leave early and try to maintain space between me and other vehicles .I even pull over and let tailgaters go ahead of me to keep them away .I've seen all kinds of jack assery on my way to work. Thanks for your reply.

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NagromYargTrebloc t1_j0ny4yj wrote

All-Season and All-weather tires are not the same. We live near the Laurel Highlands in SWPA and I run Nokian tires on my wife's SUV year round. Great tire... the Finnish know a thing or two about making harsh condition tires. You want to look for the mountain/snowflake symbol on the sidewall.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0nzv6o wrote

Will keep an eye out for it . The winter command tires have the snow flake on the sidewall but not the all season. I will look into the all weather tires. Thanks for your reply.

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sashslingingslasher t1_j0p88gb wrote

GET SNOW TIRES!

I have a golf GTI. They make my car an absolute beast in the snow. I live on top of a mountain (NEPA-sized mountain). My little car crawls up the mountains with no drama. I can't help but feel smug when I pass stuck pick-ups and jeeps. AWD/4WD only helps you go straight forward. It doesn't help you stop or turn.

I've been advocating hard for snow tires ever since I got them for the first time last year. Another point I like to make is that the cost is actually practically 0 because you're splitting to tire wear across 2 sets, so it's not costing you any more than you would spend in tires over say 6 years anyway.

I say practically because I don't think snow tires last quite as long, but mine still look brand new after 8 months total of use, so we'll see.

Also maybe worth mentioning ground clearance is still an issue, so more than like 4 inches of snow and I'm stuck no matter what.

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NerdyRedneck45 t1_j0o5sno wrote

We have Bridgestone Blizzaks on my Subaru Outback between November and April. I took it for a test when I first got them up in the gamelands around Sandy Ridge and was blown away by how well they worked. I also keep chains in the car (Auto-Trac from Walmart, about $90/pair).

I ordered them from Tire Rack pre-mounted on rims so I can change them out myself each season. No complaints so far.

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PPQue6 t1_j0ogy0h wrote

Ha I did the same thing with my blizzaks! Let me tell ya...they've absolutely been worth the money! Such a huge difference in the winter time.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0o6hj7 wrote

Were neighbors well almost .Everyone loves Blizzaks there is a set on market place for 200.00 that are the right size and in real good shape used 1 season that are the right size. 132 miles away though so they will get got by someone else. Thanks for your reply .

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Front-Injury-2848 t1_j0qi79x wrote

Question. Other than storing the tires is there anything else you have to do when not using them. About how many years are they good for when only using in winter. Thank you. I keep considering this for my expedition.

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NerdyRedneck45 t1_j0qjeiz wrote

I’ve heard 6 or 7 years max- even if the tread is still good they start getting brittle. Mine are on their 3rd or 4th winter and still look great. Be sure to give them a rinse to get the salt off before storing them somewhere dry.

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defusted t1_j0o8mko wrote

All season, because I'm poor

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0o9twr wrote

We are all a little poorer than we use to be(money just not going as far as it use too). Thanks for your response.

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Equivalent_Alps_8321 t1_j0sdv06 wrote

same although i have quality well reviewed all season tires from Tire Rack, Pirelli P7

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robotoverlord412 t1_j0o3ug8 wrote

There is a new tire category that is supposed to be the best of both worlds called All-Weather tires. They are close to winter tires in snow performance, great in rain, plus wear like an all season tire so they can be left on your car all year.

I just put All-Weather Michelin CrossClimate2's on my SUV and am excited about the snow next week to have a chance to see if they are as good as all of the reviews and YouTube videos make them out to be.

They passed the rain test, just drove across the Ohio turnpike in steady to heavy rain going above the speed limit the whole time.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0o46s8 wrote

Ya another person mentioned these as well . they may be the right way to go. or 2 sets with 2 sets or rims. Thanks for your reply .

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MemeWindu t1_j0oud1a wrote

The average PA driver has his gut feelings and that's honestly way more effective than any sort of Snow Tire

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0ow6mf wrote

Ya the driver makes all the difference. I feel allot safer when I'm the only one on the road in the winter . I start earlier now and there is allot more traffic on the road. Thanks for your response.

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MemeWindu t1_j0ozf70 wrote

I was making a joke 😂

But, no problem. Totally agree most people are straight psychopaths on the road

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0p170t wrote

Lol .A guy I use to work with said the driver was the most important safety feature any car could have .Thanks again.

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firesidepoet t1_j0nw7xs wrote

I drive an AWD Mazda, I have all season Continentals. They've been perfect. And last a long time. The warranty is great too, I popped one after having them for a few months and got a new one for free.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0nwox2 wrote

All wheel drive is definitely a plus .I had a few Chevy trackers they had excellent traction with just all season too. Thanks for your reply.

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undercookedchimken t1_j0nyr1z wrote

all season cause i live in the greater pittsburgh area and our winters are quite mild.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0nz3z2 wrote

Ya I noticed that whish it was the same here. Allot of the times when I get to the bottom of the mountain the roads are noticeably better. Thanks for your reply

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booboobearkitty t1_j0nv4tz wrote

Winters on the front, anything on the back. Blizzaks are amazing.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0nvqh0 wrote

Ya I see people doing that too the argument is the rear end will slide. There is a video about it on YouTube. But of course the tire companies put out propaganda to get you to buy more of their tires. Thanks for your reply.

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booboobearkitty t1_j0nw0oi wrote

If you're in a stick Toyota Corolla, the rear end sliding is entirely in your control. Winters on the front should be all you need, even if you have some balding all season rears. Just don't whip it around haha

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itsallfornaught2 t1_j0nxhc0 wrote

That's incorrect. Stick or no stick. You want to have the same tires on all wheels unless you're in a predicament that requires a tire off. Each tire will react differently to the same conditions if they're a different tire.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0o07ic wrote

I think its Switzerland that its illegal to have just winter tires on the front .Maybe other countries as well. Thanks for your reply

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[deleted] t1_j0o64gl wrote

[deleted]

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0o6uyb wrote

Walmart charges 11 per tire for mounting. Not sure about the dismounting but the tires that are on it have the lifetime mount and balance so that should help. Thanks for your reply.

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festerwl t1_j0nywmi wrote

Pretty much always used all season tires with a few exceptions when I could get the winters for cheap.

Never had any instances where winters would have made a massive difference here in Erie.

Current vehicles are an AWD Nissan Altima and 4wd Toyota Tundra.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0nzbre wrote

AWD makes a huge diference .I know Erie gets hammered with snow. Thanks for your reply.

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CoverImmediate7538 t1_j0nzdp7 wrote

Always snow tires. But I drive a small car and I work super early in the morning, and often times the snow trucks haven’t been out yet, so I rely pretty heavily on those tires.

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GrandpasCar t1_j0o0z45 wrote

The biggest difference you will see between all seasons and winters, is the braking distance. The difference between the two tire types may just be the difference between being in an accident and a close call.

https://youtu.be/8K8ThRGNaoM

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cutiecat565 t1_j0o3mzi wrote

Goodyear Weatherready Assurance for me on a Rav4

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0of9g4 wrote

>They look like a good tire pricey though. Thanks for your response .

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ImNorm29 t1_j0o3yp5 wrote

I'm in Lancaster so we probably don't get as much snow as you do. Three vehicles in the family:

Jeep Liberty selectable 2WD/4WD

Honda CRV - Full time AWD

RAM 1500 - selectable 2WD/4WD with 4-Auto (equal to AWD)

The Jeep is my daughter's car - used for her to go back and forth between home and college in Pittsburgh; once she gets to Pittsbugh it gets driven once or twice a week for her and her roomates to get groceries or go get a treat at Starbucks. It it's snowing she probably isn't driving anywhere most of the time.

CRV is my wife's - gets driven every day to/from work and other errands.

The RAM is mine - I work from home so I don't need to go out much other than a short trip to take my son to work (less than a mile); but I do like to "play" in the snow so I'll usually go out and drive in snow after I clear the driveway.

I run all-seasons on the Jeep and CRV; mild all-terrains on the RAM. I usually put about 200# of ice-melt and/or salt in the bed of the truck each winter. It helps plant the back end and can be used to gain traction if I'd get stuck on ice.

With that said, if I had a job that required me to be driving more (ie.. my BIL used to have his own appliance repair biz, so he was constantly driving everywhere); then I'd use winter tires. I just don't have enough room to store multiple sets of summer/winter tires given the little benefit for our situation and experiences with our vehicles.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0o5xlo wrote

What year is the Liberty? I think the older ones were better .I saw a Patriot that couldn't make it into the driveway behind my house the other day. Only 1 wheel on the front and one on the back was spinning. I think my car would of done as well. Thanks for your reply.

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ImNorm29 t1_j0oelrl wrote

It's an 08 - I guess they were considered 2nd Gen - it's RWD based setup, not a FWD based crossover like a Patriot. I've driven it in the snow and it reminds me of my old Jeep Commander just smaller - decent traction, easy to handle and a bit underpowered so its not going to spin all 4 tires easily even in snow.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0og8jp wrote

I had a 94 jeep Grand Cherokee limited with the 4.0 inline 6 .Was great in the snow. Thanks again.

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Alwayswanted2rock t1_j0o4eco wrote

If you don't have 4WD, then I highly recommend snow tires. I always say: all season tires are great just as long as the roads dry.

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drewbaccaAWD t1_j0o5m33 wrote

Currently.. front wheel drive, automatic trans, all season tires.

Ideally.. front with limited slip or AWD, manual transmission, and winter tires.

Winter is definitely better than all-seasons with the added benefit that you only use them in winter so they tend to have better tread. I don't mind swapping wheels around twice each year but not doing that at the moment.

But I'd stick with all-season if you don't have an extra set of rims.

I see no reason to get 4wd unless I'm driving off road for fun or using it for utility, like towing someone out of a ditch.

When I lived in WA I had to use chains any time I went up into the mountain passes but around here that's overkill, I'll just stay home if it comes to that.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0ofp3p wrote

All season are good most of the time in the winter . Last couple of winters weren't bad at all. Didn't even snow until January and I missed allot of it when it was coming down. Seems like this year will be worse though. Thanks for your response.

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E_Pluribus_Omnom t1_j0o7xga wrote

IMO, for central PA, winter tires will give you peace of mind.

You'll curse the season if it doesn't snow, it will seem like a waste of money. However, you'll want to kiss your winter tires when you get back and forth from work without issue. Everyone else will be slipping and sliding, you'll be cruising and asking "is that all you can do?!"

Could always trade that FWD for an efficient AWD with high quality all-seasons and you would have a similar experience as having winter tires on a FWD.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0oakpo wrote

How about it. I have the feeling as soon as I buy winter tires the sun will come out and the birds will be singing. I thought about getting an additional vehicle just for bad days that's AWD but the Corolla gets near 40 mpg that's hard to give up. Thanks for your response.

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Shakinleaf1 t1_j0o7xjn wrote

For sure get some winters, much better

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0oao21 wrote

I'm leaning that way. Thanks for your response.

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Shakinleaf1 t1_j0pm07e wrote

I know you're reading a lot of responses. I was extremely skeptical about winter tires. After using a set of top rated winter tires it's game changing. Should be mandatory.

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dollabill840 t1_j0oeqqx wrote

i got an 04 ram and im running bald as fuck retreads , i get around just fine in swpa

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0og2kp wrote

Weather is a little nicer down there . Thanks for your response.

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zakker84 t1_j0oqloa wrote

Last time I ran snow tires was 2010. Since then I’ve run all-seasons year round. I live in Allegheny county, but drive as far north as Lawrence regularly. Modern all seasons are great! That being said, I’ve driven AWD since then as well. If you do go for snow tires get hard rubber ones like Hankook, because you’ll get a ton of wear out of them, and they’ll likely outlive your car. If not, you should be fine in all weathers.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0or36q wrote

Ya I've never owned a set of winter tires but considering I only have front wheel drive I'm considering it. Thanks for your response.

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Megalodon_91 t1_j0oxwwx wrote

i run snows on my Acura but it spins the 245s on puddles. They hold better and I drive up mountains and stuff. i usually grab a set. Depends on the vehicle. I have skills but I like having the better tread. They say on car forumsthat winter tires are good for winter, summer tires for summer and all season for below average year round. Do what you can afford, and what your comfortable with. There is no correct answer. Shit last year I don't remember driving in snow but like twice.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0p0zln wrote

Ya it wasn't to bad last year .It didn't snow at all until January .Thanks for your response.

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RangerHikes t1_j0p6w86 wrote

Lehigh valley and then I drive all over NJ and NY for work. With all seasons, my outback will get wheel slip turning through slush or unplowed snow, or when hitting an icey patch. Not as much as other cars, it's still great in the snow but it happens. With my winter tires on, it's like driving on dry pavement. When I hit unplowed roads in the Catskills, it's simply amazing how much confidence AWD + winter tires gives.

I run viking extreme contact 7 with steelies

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PierogiPowered t1_j0p8niv wrote

AWD and snow tires.

If I recall, Tire Rack had 0% APR when I bought them.

If you’re buying an AWD car, seemed silly not to complete the purchase with snow tires.

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jbot14 t1_j0p9whi wrote

North Central PA here... We have snow rated all seasons in our minivan, and I have dedicated set of snow tires for my VW wagon. Snow tires on steel wheels from tire rack is a good deal if you plan to run your car for awhile as they will preserved your other set longer too.

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dancingprotein t1_j0pb403 wrote

All season tires, but I live in areas with heavily driven on roads so winter tires would provide a very limited benefit. Anyways car has AWD with torque vectoring and is really heavy

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antagron1 t1_j0pc9gi wrote

Remember that AWD can help you go but cannot help you stop. For that you want winter tires. The rubber compound on all seasons gets hard as a hockey puck in the cold while the rubber on winter tires remains compliant, giving you grip.

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scottawhit t1_j0pco2z wrote

Snow tires are a game changer. I have them on all 3 cars, 2awd and 1 fwd. I actually run them year round and just replace them more often. I figure it’s $80-100 to change them each season, so why bother. Central PA in the mountains as well.

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worstatit t1_j0pdpf1 wrote

All season tires, but all vehicles are awd or 4wd. In a 2wd (front or rear) I'd run two sets of rims (4), one with all season, one with studded snows. Convinced that regular winter driving in the snow will make anyone a better driver, if you survive it. Don't envy your commute.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0s2opd wrote

Ya the commute stinks in the winter. Thanks for your response.

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moon_slav t1_j0pkew8 wrote

Blizzaks on a 94 miata (with LSD). I can and have driven through 3-4 inches of snow with ease, after that the front end starts to become a snow plow.

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Speedogomer t1_j0pkfe7 wrote

Tire companies are beginning to offer a class of tire called "all weather". Think of them as a class between all season and snow tires. They're essentially snow tires with a little harder rubber compound that you can run all year. I've ran them the last 2 years on my wife's Subaru Outback. I use Firestone weathergrips. The have the 3 peak mountain snowflake symbol indicating they pass testing to be classified as snow tires, but they wear much better. They're a good compromise and the snow performance is great. Through this last weeks storm the tires performed great.

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RefrigeratorGold8291 t1_j0pklwr wrote

I usually run all seasons, currently running Goodyear Assurance on my AWD Buick and honestly they work pretty decently.

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flaaaacid t1_j0plq2q wrote

General Altimax 365 AW. They’re about as close to a snow tire as you can get in an all season. I’ve been very impressed with them.

This is on a Chevy Volt (FWD)

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brilliantpants t1_j0pm26s wrote

I use all season, but I’m in SE PA so most of the serious weather misses us.

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BartlettMagic t1_j0pni2a wrote

west central PA here.

snow tires on my little beater because it's a piece of shit and needs all the help it can get (05 Ford Focus).

i use all seasons on my SUV (03 Ford Escape) because it's 4WD and has the weight/traction to get by with just the all seasons.

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Joshua_Christ t1_j0ppgzh wrote

When we had a Camry we would put Firestone winter forces on the front. I thought they did very well and put them on all my FWD vehicles that I've owned. I currently have blizzaks on my SUV, they're also very good. As long as they're the same size, I don't see a problem running winter tires on front wheels only in a front wheel drive vehicle. I have put countless seasons on vehicles that way. Obviously if it's awd/4wd all tires need to match exactly or differentials start exploding.

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dalex89 t1_j0pt7u7 wrote

Only driven in PA for about 12 years but doing a lot of delivery driving. Winter tires are great but a decent pair of all seasons will get you out of most situations, the issue is people try to drive with all seasons which already have like 60k miles on them and are through 70% of their tread. My wheels slip on just wet roads around turns when the tread is getting low.

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Southboundthylacine t1_j0pvh9h wrote

I live near reading PA and drive a rwd car I just buy nice all weather tires and take it easy if it’s so bad that I can’t get where I need to be I probably shouldn’t be on the road

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nardlz t1_j0pvt82 wrote

I live on top of a mountain and have a 35 minute commute in a Mini Cooper. In 5 years with this car I’ve never had any issue with driving in the ice/snow (not driving like an idiot helps) I just swap out my regular tires for studded winter tires after Nov 1st (state law) and I believe they have to be back off by April sometime. Not dedicated to any brand, right now they’re Firestone. My previous vehicle was a 4WD pickup although did not have studs and I put it into a snowbank or two, even hit my own mailbox, just from sliding. 4WD does nothing when it’s slick. My husband just got studs for his car this year too.

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dayoftheduck t1_j0pzf78 wrote

I’m running all seasons on my XJ, only time I used winter tires was when I had smaller FWD cars. 4wheel drive and use caution, never had a problem. I always test my brakes when going down hills before hand if it’s too slippery I’ll pull off to the side if there’s traffic behind me then I pull back out with 4 ways and go slow. Rather be safe than sorry. Usually we get hammered

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BrainWav t1_j0q436x wrote

Lebanon county here, I just use all-season (Continental Extreme ExtremeContact DWS) tires, though I do have an AWD car. I previously had to commute down 897 through farm country and only once did I ever end up off the road, but that was ice anyway (and after I got off 897). If your commute keeps you on roads that get plowed in a timely fashion, all-season will likely be fine.

That said, if I had the money for a second set of tires and rims and a garage, I'd get a set of snow tires. If you can afford the best option, definitely go for it. Plus, it lengthens the life of your non-winter tires a bit since they'll be off the car for at least a month or two.

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schu2470 t1_j0q4ooj wrote

A lot of folks in these comments are talking about AWD/4WD with all seasons being the equivalent of FWD with snow tires. This isn't the case. AWD/4WD will help you get going when a wheel or two are slipping but having all seasons won't help you when you need it the most - stopping.

Snow tires are made of softer rubber compounds that will stay pliable and grip better in lower temperatures. They also have more siping and water channels that allow for more mechanical grip with snow and ice that all season tires do not have.

Snow tires with AWD/4WD is the best option if you can swing it. If you can't, FWD with snow tires will be the better option.

Another thing to consider is some all terrain tires that are often found/installed on SUVs and trucks are 3 Mountain Snowflake rated. While not the same as being a true snow tire, they will often add significant grip in winter conditions for braking and turning.

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gkrash t1_j0q7buq wrote

Grew up driving east of Cleveland and never had snow tires - have had several front and all wheel drive vehicles here in PA over the last 20 or so years, and stuck with all seasons. I think it really depends on the vehicle, tire and location. Here jn central PA (Harrisburg) they don’t take care of snow as well as they do in NE Ohio, I suspect because it doesn’t make sense to have the infrastructure for the amount of snow we get here (and the salt mine under the lake probably)

Have a non-performance (Porsche, Hemi, etc) all wheel drive crossover SUV with good all seasons on it in Cleveland? No sweat.

Have a RWD sports car with the stock tires on it in Harrisburg ? I’d be looking into some snow tires.

Before my current wrangler (different story entirely) I had a ~300 hp AWD ‘sport’ sedan with OEM all seasons and it was awful. Prior to that, had a ~300 HP luxury awd suv with OEM all-seasons and it was like driving a mountain goat. Guess my point is there’s a lot of variability in all-seasons too - esp when paired with different cars and driving styles.

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Huxeley t1_j0qjim9 wrote

I live in Erie. Studded snow tires 100%.

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VenMarkus t1_j0qofrl wrote

Also remember in pa you can still use studded tires, just certain times of the year.

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ElCapitanSmoke t1_j0qtku1 wrote

AWD with summer tires will still get you stuck. Ask me how I know!

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heili t1_j0qux0o wrote

I run 3PMS tires on my Wrangler. Have not had a reason to use something different in the winter.

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AFD_0 t1_j0r0ghg wrote

Being perpetually lazy and thrifty, I've always preferred using all-seasons year-round and if possible, try to avoid travelling in ice or heavy snow.

Just moved from an AWD sedan with Continental DWS (dry-wet-snow) all-seasons, which worked really well for me, to a 2WD/4WD truck with severe snow-rated Bridgestone KO2 all-terrain all-season tires. Think I'll be better off in heavy snow now, but I'll still probably need to go slower after losing AWD. People are free to pass me if they're using a better solution.

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[deleted] t1_j0rbo70 wrote

I have two sets of wheels and tires for all my vehicles.

One is a summer tire, not all season, but a performance type. The other set is a winter tire with the severe snow and weather traction Mountain/Snowflake symbol.

Can I get around with all seasons? Most of the time. But when it’s 2am and penn dot s still sleeping along the road somewhere I like the assurance that actual snow tires provide.

Also, get all four, not two. Yes even if you have a rear wheel drive, the extra steering ability with snows on the front is amazing.

People have forgotten that our roads get bad. This first time you have somewhere important to be and you can get there with snow tires while others are parked waiting for salt trucks you’ll be glad you did.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0rt54e wrote

Ya I just ordered 4 Goodyear winter Command tires should be here by Wednesday.No ectara rims just tried putting a wanted add on Facebook for a used set of steel wheels goes against their terms of service. O well maybe craigslist. Thanks for your response

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[deleted] t1_j0s7a9p wrote

The stress and frustration you'll save is well worth it.

Try here for wheels:
https://car-part.com

Many larger salvage yards list their inventory now, see if any local to you have anything.

Yes Craigslist is a good place to look but you can also search FB Marketplace.

What I typically do is find a set of nicer aftermarket wheels to run in the summer and I put my winter tires on the factory wheels. But that's just me.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0s8eq4 wrote

Ya I just searched market place there are a set on there from a Corolla for 100 dollars. 104 miles away though. Maybe he could meet me. I am going to call a salvage yard tomorrow and see what they have. Thanks for your response.

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irockunow t1_j0rbzrd wrote

two sets of wheels/tires, if you can. snow tires are a game changer.

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IrrumaboMalum t1_j0txl3e wrote

When I was driving my FWD Mitsubishi Eclipse, I kept an extra set of wheels with snow tires on them for the winter.

I'm currently driving a 4WD Jeep Patriot and a good set of all seasons is sufficient for winter out here.

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itsallfornaught2 t1_j0nxbtc wrote

Snow tires. I think it's pretty dumb to go to a place that has snow and not have winter tires on your car.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0ny1ru wrote

>I think it's pretty dumb to go to a place that has snow and not have winter tires on your car.

Maybe but the majority of people don't. And the last 2 winters weren't bad but this one is starting out bad. And considering it cost me twice as much this year to fill up my oil tank than last year money is a consideration too. Thanks for your reply.

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itsallfornaught2 t1_j0nzam6 wrote

I understand your perspective however it'll cost way more to pay the deductible to fix your car when you crash for not trying to make driving safer.

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freshoilandstone t1_j0nygl6 wrote

Northeast PA, rural, up in the hills. All seasons for us. We haven't needed winter tires or chains and we're up and down hills all the time. My daily is a Volvo AWD, wife's a RAV 4. We have a 2006 Rubicon and f350 4WD also. Driveway is about 1000', icy as hell. Honestly it's fine.

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theyeoftheiris t1_j0nywaj wrote

Doing winters this year because my car is RWD. In the mountains.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0nzi4s wrote

Don't blame you with a rear wheel drive. Thanks for your reply

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Im_100percent_human t1_j0nztgm wrote

Snow tires are 1960s technology. There have been lots of advances in polymers and tread patterns since.... There are now some very good snow rated all season tires, like Michelin CrossClimate 2. They even have the US Tire Manufactures Association's "Mountain/Snowflake" winter tire certification, meaning you can run them on roads that legally require snow tires. (like some areas in the Rockies.) Tires like this are not cheap, but it sure beats changing tires twice a year.

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Jon3141592653589 t1_j0o2jb9 wrote

The CrossClimate 2 are really impressive. I got them for a FWD car that I drive between PA and FL, after a harrowing drive with "eco" tires following a hurricane, and while I haven't tried them in the snow yet they are far more secure in the rain than anything else I've driven, including high-performance summer tires.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0o4vio wrote

There have been a few mentions of those types of tires. Thanks for your reply.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0o14bs wrote

> Ya that would be ideal. I just looked them up they are about twice as much as the winters. Thanks for your reply

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itsallfornaught2 t1_j0o3e3u wrote

You're better looking for OEM tires on craigslist or something and buying those and installing winters on those. Run those winters when the forecast becomes <45F highs and run all seasons otherwise. You'll have two sets of wheels and you can change them yourself. On top of that you'll run through tires less frequently.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0o4nr0 wrote

That is probably what will happen but not until next winter .I actually saw winter tires mounted on Toyota rims on marketplace. They were on the far side of the state and the sold in less than 24 hours. Thanks for your reply.

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KindKill267 t1_j0o2cgq wrote

Studded snow tires.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0o3qgs wrote

The good year winter command tires have stud holes . People complain about them on ice but the studs should take care of that. Thanks for your response

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scottawhit t1_j0pzlzw wrote

Studs suck unless you have a season long coating of snow and ice. PA rarely does, and they you just have obnoxious road noise and rough ride. CO, Canada, absolutely.

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Dank-CentralV2 t1_j0o2g58 wrote

I use all terrains that are snow rated, and I just run them year round on my wrangler. Something like a sedan or modern CUV/SUV I’d just have a dedicated winter setup and all seasons for the other 3 seasons

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Teonanacatlbruh t1_j0o2ls8 wrote

Made due w/all seasons for years to save $ but, got my 1st set of winters on steelies before last winter & put em on a 2014 Subaru WRX I have now. Winters plus all wheel drive allows me to relax & enjoy driving, even have a little fun.

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0o38md wrote

Subaru's have great AWD systems . I always thought a forester with a manual transmission with good tires on it would be a great solution. Thanks for your reply.

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thisoldbroad t1_j0o743h wrote

Snows and chains,

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RemoteStatement OP t1_j0o7hmm wrote

I'm leaning snow and maybe studs. Chains work well but I didn't think people even used them anymore. They also have snow socks now which seem to help. Thanks for your reply.

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Appropriate_Camp_191 t1_j0q466h wrote

Not worth the money if you're anywhere close to median earnings. Drive slower.

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BurdTurgular t1_j0pptec wrote

All seasons for life. Snow tires are just for placebo prove me wrong

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djb25 t1_j0pw8cj wrote

Are you serious?

Snow tires are no joke and they’re definitely not a placebo. The difference between a good snow tire and a good all season tire is astonishing.

It’s not so much the tread pattern as it is the rubber compound.

The rubber compound is also why you don’t want to run winter tires in the summer and vice-versa. The easiest way to actually see the difference is to check out a set of summer tires in some light snow.

All-season tires fall into the middle. That’s why they kinda suck but also kinda don’t suck. In most places and situations they end up being “good enough.”

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