Talk about Tires please (Caribou: how much, land, parking)

[Bydand]

Bet she is happy with a heater that works as well! Good Job. 36 MPG in the winter is great, bet that little baby tops 40 MPG this summer.

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by Bydand

Bet she is happy with a heater that works as well! Good Job. 36 MPG in the winter is great, bet that little baby tops 40 MPG this summer.

Ah-yup

[Dwatted Wabbit]

Originally Posted by Shuffler

Furthermore, you can order online from TireRack.com and the price will get them delivered to your door....I'd even suggest getting a set of wheels and have them mounted up for snow season, that way you don't have to keep taking tires on and off your wheels at the end of the season (hard on the bead). Have a set of all-seasons, then a set of snows.

The Tire Rack - Your performance experts for tires and wheels is an excellent resource whether you buy tires there or not.
Look at the surveys and the tests. No one brand has a corner on good tires. Or poor tires. The variety within brand names is as great as between brands, so just because a tire's a Michelin or a Kuhmo doesn't necessarily mean it will fit your needs.
Time spent on research is time well spent. There are about six different categories of all season tires, several of summer tires, lots of winter tires. Truck tires, run flats...The choices are mind boggling, but by going through the owner surveys you can get a pretty good idea of how various tires perform.
I just bought a set of passenger all season tires. The highest-rated were Goodyear TripleTreads. They're also highly priced. I got a set of Dunlops that are close in the running in all categories but significantly less expensive. So far they chew the snow nicely, as well or better than my Bridgestone dedicated snows, and they are good to go all year too.

Good luck, it's the tires more than the drive wheels that make a huge difference in adverse conditions.

[Elcarim]

Again........are the Winterforce tires still the better ones to buy at this time? What are some of you using this year. I don't think we'll brave NOT having snow tires on our mini van. I don't think it's a safe option for us to run regular tires, never having driven in snow before. I'd rather be safe than sorry. We may even get the studs I've been reading about. It will take us a year or two to get our footing, and I'd still like to have a leg to stand on next year!

[island mermaid]

Every tire company has their own brand of heavy duty snow tires. Their all pretty much the same. Go with what ever is on sale and fits your budget.

If you feel better with studded, than go for it. Mini -van? Rear wheel drive? Ya, maybe studded might be the way to go. Remember though, you'll have to remove them and replace them with regular tires in the spring. It's against the law to run studded after snow melt.

[Bydand]

Winterforce with studs are still an awesome tire. Surprising though is the new Blizzaks that test as high in starting, stopping, and handling as the studded Winterforce tires. My Mother usually buys the Blizzaks for her Grand Caravan and it does VERY well in the snow and even on icy roads.

[CoastalMaine]

Originally Posted by Fort Lauderdale mermaid

Every tire company has their own brand of heavy duty snow tires. Their all pretty much the same. Go with what ever is on sale and fits your budget.

If you feel better with studded, than go for it. Mini -van? Rear wheel drive? Ya, maybe studded might be the way to go. Remember though, you'll have to remove them and replace them with regular tires in the spring. It's against the law to run studded after snow melt.

My minivans were always front wheel drive.

[Elcarim]

Ours is FWD. It's a Chrysler Town & Country.

[CoastalMaine]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

Ours is FWD. It's a Chrysler Town & Country.

You're gonna need some lessons on how to drive in the snow El. The little tricks of the trade are important.

[Elcarim]

Oh yes! Molly is going to take us out driving and teach us....in a parking lot, I think she said.

I don't think she really knows what she's getting herself into taking us on to raise, like this!