Do you switch to snow tires for the Winter? (Minneapolis: buying, live in)

[Ghengis]

This has been discussed off and on over the years on here and I'm curious as to the percentage of people (who respond to this) that make the effort to switch their tires each year. Would also ask that you indicate if you live in the TC metro (whatever that means to you), outstate Minnesota, or in an other state. Remember, there are no wrong or right answers...just wrong or right people.

[Duk123]

Nope. I live in the metro. Reverse commute from Minneapolis to Roger driving a front wheel drive car.

[Hickory patrick]

gosh' being from chicago'' I remember the snow tires from my child hood in the late 60s n 70s... pops had a work van being a carpenter and would switch to big old heavy tread snow tires, and they had steel cleated tires back then to , but were soon out lawed because they tore up the road surface...but dont know of anyone who changes tires just for winter today, your tires are either good or bad..and that when u change them..

Interesting post ..

[golfgal]

I've lived in outstate and the metro and have never switched to snow tires. Just don't see the need for the MAYBE 3 days/year you MIGHT need them...can't say I can count on more than one hand where they might have come in handy in my 30+ years of driving even. Maybe if we lived in the mountains and they didn't have snow removal equipment, but not in MN. If you "need" snow tires, you probably shouldn't be out driving anyway--at least around here.

[Kamsack]

I live in the far northwest corner of Minnesota and we have all season tires and never switched. We live in town (EGF), but do drive all over.....

[shotz90s]

I live near St. Cloud and drive into the west metro every day. I've never had snow tires as a decent set of all season's do the trick just fine.

[Teddy52]

The last time I used snow tires was when I still drove rear wheel drive vehicles,

Since buying my first front wheel drive car ( 1989) I have never used snow tires and lived in rural MN commuting 25 miles to work on rotating shifts.

[SpoonieLuv]

Do most people HAVE to have them? Definitely not...but winter tires do make a night and day difference on all drivetrains.

I have summer and winter sets for my vehicle but I have a RWD sedan that wouldn't go anywhere without them in the winter. After seeing the huge difference on my car I got a set for my wife's front wheel drive vehicle. I'm not sure how to explain it but her vehicle is just more sure footed with them on.

With my winter set on, my RWD sedan gets and keeps traction much better than FWDs I see driving around in the snow. All seasons have made huge strides over the years that make them very useable year-round. Winter tires have also made huge strides with rubber compounds that give excellent traction in the cold but would almost 'melt' on summer asphalt. Get dedicated sets of wheels and tires if you have the wherewithal.

[QuietBlue]

Nope, never had snow tires. I live in the TC metro. I would consider them if I regularly drove on less maintained roads or in very hilly areas, but for the driving I do they're not necessary.