winter tires? a necessity? (Alexandria, Fairfax: live, moving to, cars)

[no_nonsense]

Hey again,

I'm moving to south Alexandria (Groveton) tomorrow, from San Diego. Had my Prius shipped and it's due to be delivered sometime next week. I didn't even know there was such a thing, but a friend of mine asked me if I had bought winter tires. Now I've seen the forecasts and I know that it's pretty bad and set to get even worse on Monday.. that being said, do most in NOVA get winter tires? Keep in mind I have a front wheel drive car that is pretty balanced and the tires are pretty small to start with. I'll be commuting from Groveton to Fairfax everyday for work.

Thanks folks.

[Vectorhead]

I don't think they're necessary. Get some good all-weather tires and make sure you replace them regularly and you'll be fine. I had snow tires when I lived in Colorado but haven't found the need to have them here.

[spencgr]

I've never had winter tires. I started driving in PA and have lived here for 15 years.

[HokieFan]

With the exception of a two year stint, I have lived in VA my whole life and never have I had winter tires (aka snow tires). If your car is front wheel drive, it will be fine as is.

[Ed_Wood]

I lived in West Virginia for several years and drove a RWD car without winter tires... just learn how to drive and you'll be fine.

[irvine]

Most cars come with all-weather tires these days, but since you're coming from Southern California, definitely find out what tires you have.

[ChristineVA]

Definitely make sure you have all-weather tires and you will be fine.

In 2002, I bought a Toyota Camry SE that did not come with all weather tires but "sport" tires. I had no clue. I thought that all cars in this area came with all-weather tires. Imagine my surprise on the first snowstorm as I slid off the road. I've never had issues driving in snow and I was wondering what the heck was wrong with me!

[Spaten_Drinker]

All season tires are a must or you will be one of those people we hate that ties up traffic because you can't keep you car on the road. There is nothing worse than a car that thought they could get up a snowy hill and ends up blocking the road for those of us who could.

[North Beach Person]

Also keep in mind that the Metro DC area pretty much shuts down when it snows.

[airjay75]

I concur with others. No way I would ever invest in winter tires in this climate. Even where I grew up in Montana and the upper Midwest, I don't think we ever put winter tires on our cars. I'd invest in a good set of chains before I invested in winter tires.

Compared to San Diego, the climate here might seem a little extreme, but the amount of winter weather we get here is still pretty mild compared to points further north and west of here. I believe average annual snowfall is less than 20 inches which usually comes in a handful of smaller storms, with the occasional big dumping of snow. Most snow that falls is gone within the week if not sooner.