Let's talk Snow Tires

[bfrabel]

I am glad to hear the advice of narrower tires for snow and ice. I have believed in this for a long time, but I seldom hear others suggest it. If you're driving along slippery and twisty roads, you want your tires to be less like fat skis, and more like pizza cutters. Along the same lines, I also believe higher sidewall tires on smaller rims are better for winter driving than the low profile tires that are coming on most vehicles these days. If you have the option to downsize the winter rims, while upsizing the tire height, that's what I would recommend.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by kavm

Deep snow and ice is where the narrower snow tires are most effective. Wider tires are better in packed snow…

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...jsp?techid=126

https://www.tirereview.com/breaking-winter-tires/

Wider snow tires aren't a good option for driving on packed snow, at least in the interior of Alaska where "packed snow" on the roads turns to ice. Packet snow on my driveway can only be scraped off with a grader using what is called, "ice blade." This blade does not have a solid edge, but multiple teeth (like a hair comb). Now, packed snow on my driveway can also be removed by using a heavy iron bar that has a chiseled edge. In this case I can break chunks of ice from the rest and move is aside with a snow shovel. Thinner packed snow on my porch steps can be cut or chiseled-out to pieces with a long-handle scraper.

Thick layers of "snow packs" may not always turn into solid ice all the way down to the pavement, but there is a crust of ice on the top surface. Thin layers of packed snow usually turn to almost solid ice down below, and into very sleek ice on the top surface. All depends on the amount of traffic on the road. Using a chiseled bar to cut though the packed snow on the driveway is not necessarily difficult once the blade cuts through the ice on the surface.

[redguard57]

Blizzaks. Have those on my Tacoma and have driven across Canada with them. Noticeable difference compared to other winter tires.

Agree that if you're really concerned about getting stuck, go slightly smaller in width with the winter set.

[leadfoot4]

Originally Posted by bfrabel

I am glad to hear the advice of narrower tires for snow and ice. I have believed in this for a long time, but I seldom hear others suggest it. If you're driving along slippery and twisty roads, you want your tires to be less like fat skis, and more like pizza cutters. Along the same lines, I also believe higher sidewall tires on smaller rims are better for winter driving than the low profile tires that are coming on most vehicles these days. If you have the option to downsize the winter rims, while upsizing the tire height, that's what I would recommend.

[SkyDog77]

Have always run Blizzaks on my 4Runners. Not Alaska, but Colorado mountains in the winter. I wouldn’t look at studded tires unless I was on glare icy roads all the time. Studless do great on packed snow.

Aside from eh RWD/4WD discussion, snow tires are great for stopping, not just going. That matters regardless of your drivetrain.

[eqttrdr]

what about icy slush?

[teddyearp]

Cooper Discoverer STT Pro

[Northrick]

Originally Posted by eqttrdr

what about icy slush?

Spring time conditions up here. Not a big deal after driving around all winter on ice and snow.

[Crazy4Chickens]

We live in Western Wyoming and we get a lot of snow every year. We have Blizzaks for all of our vehicles. I have a Honda Civic, hubby has a Honda Ridgeline, and our daughter has a Toyota Corolla. Only the Ridgeline has all-wheel drive. The Blizzaks keep us on the road and out of the snow banks. They have the traction we need. Yes they do wear out quickly on the dry roads, but we just make sure we take them off before it gets to that point, usually in April or May. We put them on in October or November.