AWD Doesn't Matter - Your Tires Do (Denver, Vail: school, legal)

[duke944]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

I drive AWD with winter tires. It’s not about getting stuck. It’s about being able to to stop over twice as quickly. Stopping in 50 feet versus 100 feet is a big deal. Why would I not choose that option.

It's your money and your time, and you have every right to spend it on snow tires if you want. Not everyone agrees it's worth the money and time. So long as the driver adjusts their driving to the conditions awd is a great help, vastly better than just front or rear wheel drive, because it is both. So my only point is to say awd doesn't matter is flat out wrong.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by duke944

It's your money and your time, and you have every right to spend it on snow tires if you want. Not everyone agrees it's worth the money and time. So long as the driver adjusts their driving to the conditions awd is a great help, vastly better than just front or rear wheel drive, because it is both. So my only point is to say awd doesn't matter is flat out wrong.

The money factor is way overblown. Snow tires are nominally more expensive. You get extra life out of your summer tires so they last twice as long when you switch them out every year. The time excuse is plain lazy.

[duke944]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

The money factor is way overblown. Snow tires are nominally more expensive. You get extra life out of your summer tires so they last twice as long when you switch them out every year. The time excuse is plain lazy.

Probably 95% of the season you are driving snow tires on dry pavement. That's a silly waste of money when snow tires last 15k miles. But, it's your money throw it away if you wish.

[SkyDog77]

Originally Posted by duke944

Probably 95% of the season you are driving snow tires on dry pavement. That's a silly waste of money when snow tires last 15k miles. But, it's your money throw it away if you wish.

It’s not just snow. It’s cold. Winter tires perform much better than standard rubber on cold pavement which is basically whenever the sun is not out. You know, standard commute times....

[Left-handed]

Originally Posted by SkyDog77

It’s not just snow. It’s cold. Winter tires perform much better than standard rubber on cold pavement which is basically whenever the sun is not out. You know, standard commute times....

This is a pretty good article explaining the design of the winter tires a little better.

https://info.kaltire.com/how-do-winter-tires-work/

[himain]

At my shop, the time is an hour. If we're running behind it's 1.5 max.


As long as you aren't driving on snow tires in 80+ degree weather, you'll do fine. I run my expensive blizzaks(LM-32s) Oct-May and this is my second season where I could probably get a third out of them (trading car in so it won't matter) You want to make sure you are rotating your snows as well 3-5k miles.


Hakkas are available and great tires. But they are costly and can sometimes need to be shipped in from Nokian at 3-5 business days.

[Bitey]

Originally Posted by Left-handed

It is my understanding that AWD may help navigate rough patches better than FWD or RWD, but winter tires help significantly more with traction (which includes coming to a stop) in slick conditions.

I've had several people tell me over the years that the tires make the biggest impact, not so much the drive train.

AWD makes a tremendous difference getting through snow and accelerating in slippery conditions and all that, so much so that I'd rather have a good AWD system with all-seasons than 2WD with winter tires if improved acceleration and forward momentum were all there is to improved winter driving. But of course they're not, there's also steering and braking. AWD provides some benefit in turning in slick conditions but not nearly as much as winter tires do. And of course AWD provides no benefit in braking.

Originally Posted by Crashj007

Motor Trend article in December issue says Nokian snow tires from Finland may be the best possible. Available in Canada and expanding to USA eventually.
If swapping is a problem just buy an extra set of steel wheels and have a shop do it for you in 30 minutes.

Nokians have been available in the U.S. for at least two decades now. My wife's winter tires are Nokians.

Originally Posted by duke944

Probably 95% of the season you are driving snow tires on dry pavement. That's a silly waste of money when snow tires last 15k miles. But, it's your money throw it away if you wish.

Even on dry pavement winter tires improve traction in winter because their softer compound stays more pliant in colder temperatures. While your all-seasons are stiffening up when the mercury drops, winter tires are in their element providing significantly better cornering and stopping traction.

[AADAD]

Do they allow studded tires in your state?

[Bitey]

Who me, or the Colorado folks here?

[AADAD]

Originally Posted by Bitey

AWD makes a tremendous difference getting through snow and accelerating in slippery conditions and all that, so much so that I'd rather have a good AWD system with all-seasons than 2WD with winter tires if improved acceleration and forward momentum was to improved winter driving. But of course they're not, there's also steering and braking. AWD provides some benefit in turning in slick conditions but not nearly as much as winter tires do. And of course AWD provides no benefit in braking.


Nokians have been available in the U.S. for at least two decades now. My wife's winter tires are Nokians.

The Nokian studded SUV tires are the best. You will pay >$300 per tire but it's worth it.