Snow Tires - Studded or Not? (Laramie, Cody: buy, live, stores)

[miznitic]

I'm a recent transplant to Laramie from Florida, where it -never- snowed. I've driven in the snow before in Montana and am relatively comfortable with it in a 4x4, but my wife has a front wheel drive car. So the question is, in regards to snow tyres, should they be studded or not studded?

[Brian_M]

I don't bother with studs in our FWD car (Jetta). Actually, my M+S rated tires are still all-seasons (left on the car year round) Nokian WR and have done very well through 2 WY/MT/CO winters.

Now, I've never driven with studded tires, and I may pick up a set of used ones sometime to try them out, but I never found a Reason to need them.

[sunsprit]

For most driving around the state, studded tires are not going to be a help. They're no advantage on snowpack, not good on dry/wet roads, and not a big advantage on the black ice conditions that may be found in the area.

[WyoNewk]

I haven't used studded tires since the mid-70s. I did have 4 M&S mounted on a spare set of wheels that I used for several years on a couple Saab Turbo 9000s, but that was because the summer tires were wide high performance highway tires. I also had a couple Porsches with the high performance tires, and after the first winter we parked those cars and drove 4x4s for the winter. Wide tires on light cars aren't the best for snow and ice, and if they're highway tread they're next to worthless. All-season tires work pretty well on most cars.

If your wife is anything like mine, you might do what we do; when we get a good overnight snowfall, I take my wife to work in my 4x4 and pick her up again after work. Usually by the next day the streets are clear enough for front-wheel drive with all-season tires.

[wyolady]

Originally Posted by sunsprit

For most driving around the state, studded tires are not going to be a help. They're no advantage on snowpack, not good on dry/wet roads, and not a big advantage on the black ice conditions that may be found in the area.

On a front-wheel drive car, studs won't make that much difference. But on a rear-wheel drive car, studded tires are a life-saver for me on both snowpack AND black ice. The advantage they have is they keep me on the road and out of the ditch.

[paintersspouse]

I think it depends on the car and where you are driving. I live up a forest service road on the west side of the state( lots of snow all winter). Everyone else but me drives a 4 wheel vehicle and need 4 wheel most of the time on the hill (6 percent hill I think)

I had a van( Ford windstar) that out did them all in front wheel with no studs. Now I have a smaller Nissan Versa and the studded tires make just enough difference on those really icy days to be worth while.

[Crazymomof3]

I'm glad someone asked this question.

We'll be in Laramie in 10 days, from Houston. My husband has a 4 wheel drive Jeep, that incidentally, was bought in Cody. However, I drive a 2007 Chevy Uplander. What kind of tires are suggested for me? Also, what other winterizing do I need to have done?

Any suggestions are much appreciated!

Thank you!

[jody_wy]

Reminds of part of a joke, Heaven was full so Saint Peter was asking the new ones that had shown up what they wanted to be on earth for a few weeks till they had made more room. A old cowboy said he wanted to be a stud, well when it was time to find them and bring them to bring them back he was on a snow tire in SD.

A good all season tire, some people will put a more aggressive tire on in the winter, we try and buy our new tires in the fall.

[Trouthead]

I have driven Togwotee to Jackson pass just about every weekend in the winter for the last 25 years. I have always used 4 NON STUDDED snow tires and have never gone off the road, been stuck or had any difficulties. The only way I would use studded tires is if I lived in Jackson and never left the valley in the winter.

For 4x4 or SUV I have used and had good luck with Nokian wr, although I don't think I got a lot of miles on them in my truck befor needed to be replaced.

All season tires are basically three season tires in my opinion. Get real snowtires period. I have Bridgestones Blizzak and they are the best I have used so far, but i have also had Pirelli, Dunlap and a couple of others.

The problem with studded tires is that it is very sunny in Wyoming and for the most part (Jackson excluded) the snow will melt off the highways and you will be driving on bare pavement with studded tires.

When I drive Togwotee in the winter I usually have 80 miles of dry pavement and 80 miles of snowpacked pavement once I get to the pass and the Jackson side. I would not want to drive 80 of pavement twice a week with studded snow tires. They would also wear out very quickly with that type of use.

Nokian is a Finnish (I think) company know for the best snow tires. I might try them next on my front wheel drive car. Lots of different choices available from Nokian, but some limited sizes.

[mtlogger]

I drive on ice alot more than on fresh snow. The pickups have studded tires and the two big rigs - we use chains on them.

You can't put just two studded tires on - you need all fours. Remember most brakes initiate with the front and then the back. FWD has no advantage on ice - in fact it's worse than RWD's.

The two cars (old Caddies) have snow tires on them and 200# of sandbags in the trunk.

As for brands - we have Kelly CSR's on the pickups, Kelly KLHA's on the big rigs, Michellin XZA's on the Unimogs. Don't remember what the caddies have - prolly Goodyears.

We don't sipe the tires - it breaks them down too fast.

Stop at Les Schwab, Costco or a Big-R for the best deals. Goodyear stores tend to charge more for less.