Winter driving in Portland (Lake Oswego: amusement park, buy, live)

[dofe]

Hi all,
I'm moving to Portland (Lake Oswego, specifically) later this year and I was wondering if anyone could give me any ideas what winter driving in the Portland area would be like. I currently have a RWD car and was wondering if it might be better for me to trade that in for a FWD car that might be more suitable for driving in snow or rain conditions.
Thanks!

[Dave99]

Winter driving in Portland hardly even exists. It's a non-issue. Your biggest worry on the road in Portland will be from cell phone users.

[mdvaden]

Any car is fine.

I don't think people should even use stud on tires there. It ain't worth the road damage for the very few days there is ice on the road. Honestly, I don't even take my four wheel drive on the road when there is ice, and rarely when the snow is packed. Four wheel drive and two wheel drive have the same stopping ability - they lock four wheels. And that's not useful on ice. Ice and snow are not too common. If you think that you would like to ski or snowboard, since Mt. Hood is so close - that's going to be a reason to think about FWD or 4WD. I hike and get into the mountains a lot - that's why I have the 4WD.

Dave's right about the cell phone users - I drove from a stop into a intersection through a red light a few weeks ago. (our daughter was headed to the hospital to give birth, and my wife called me - I was on the cell phone - told her I drove through a light and had to call back to discuss details).

[PNW-type-gal]

Don't agree about the studs, especially if you live up in the foothills. We have a spare set of wheels with studded tires for both cars - if the weather forecasters get excited about ice, and we think they have a chance of being right, the spouse goes out and puts them on both cars, and then pulls them off a day of two later. I find them very useful on very icy roads, especially when we get black ice.

Driving around on them all season is a different story, of course.

I would buy a good set of all-season tires, though, especially if you're coming from a dry climate where most tires sold are "summer" tires.

[mdvaden]

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

Don't agree about the studs, especially if you live up in the foothills. We have a spare set of wheels with studded tires for both cars - if the weather forecasters get excited about ice, and we think they have a chance of being right, the spouse goes out and puts them on both cars, and then pulls them off a day of two later. I find them very useful on very icy roads, especially when we get black ice.

Driving around on them all season is a different story, of course.

I would buy a good set of all-season tires, though, especially if you're coming from a dry climate where most tires sold are "summer" tires.

Then we're talking about two things. I'm referring to the people who wear them on their cars, grinding the roads for months.

The people who keep the spare set for when they need them are like "really cool" in my book.

[diggitydot]

Portland winter driving mainly consists of rain. If you can handle a hydroplaning car like a pro, you'll likely be fine. It might snow or get icy a maximum of a couple times per year, depending on which area you're at in the city. Some areas will get hit a couple times, some won't be hit at all.

[dofe]

Wow, thanks to all for the great answers. I'm so glad I stumbled onto this forum.

I think I will just pick up a set of good all season or winter tires. Thanks again everyone!

[Letterhead]

I can't find the link but someone recently sent me a short video that a Portlander took from his upper story window of the street below after an ice/snow storm. Cars were sliding out of control on a narrow residential street and slowly bouncing off each other like bumper cars at an amusement park!

[Imperial1904]

Here you go Letterhead.


YouTube - Portland drivers in the snow

[nancy thereader]

WOW! Is it that icy there ? I hadn't realized. And, why is that guy just standing in the middle of the street?