Are snow tires and good driver awareness enough?

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by jackmccullough

Hard to know what "enough" means. There are always risks that cannot be eliminated.

What steps to take in relation to the known risks depends on the level of risk. The OP lives in Rockville, Md. which gets an average of about 19 inches of snow a year, and has only three months with more than six inches.

Under these circumstances I would suggest that 4WD or AWD is going overboard. They increase the cost of the vehicle and the operating costs.

Snow tires? That's another question. Since you always have to have four tires on your car, the main added expense to using snow tires is the semiannual changeover, not the cost of the tires. Given that snow tires are made from a softer rubber that should improve traction even in non-snowy winter conditions, they seem like a good idea for the OP.

If I lived in Rockville, Maryland, I wouldn't dream of spending the money on snow tires. I'd just avoid driving those few days per winter when all the yahoos are out doing car pinball. In that part of the country, everything is cancelled at the first hint of a snowflake.

I'm thinking back to an occasion many years ago when I drove a 1-way rental Geo Metro from Denver to Aspen after my connecting flight cancelled for a snowstorm. Climbing the passes in 6" of slop in an underpowered car with stock tires was, errr, interesting. I just put my foot to the floor and prayed that the car wouldn't bog down because I'd never get rolling again.

[NHDave]

There isn't a single answer to this. It depends on your location, driving skill, snowfall amounts, plowing frequency,etc.

I live in NH, only minor inclines in my area, I've made it though more than 30 winters with all seasons and mostly RWD vehicles. Roads are well plowed, I have no need for snow tires, having winter driving skills is a large plus.

[jambo101]

Bottom line is what i feel is the safest option for the transportation of my wife and kids and that would be dedicated snow tires between Nov 1 to mid April.

[BostonMike7]

Originally Posted by NHDave

There isn't a single answer to this. It depends on your location, driving skill, snowfall amounts, plowing frequency,etc.
.

This

Everyone will comment with their opinions, but there are really way too many variables.

Here in Boston, even with our record snowfall last seasons, I've never felt I've needed snow tires on my AWD infiniti. I drove quite a bit through deep snow as well as my commute was 30 miles each. However, when I drove my Mustangs, you pretty much needed snow tires.

BUT, my driving skill is pretty decent, and my car has one of the best (IMHO) AWD systems around, so that might add to the ease of which I have driven through snow. Others, might not be so lucky or confident.

Here's a thought OP. If it will make you a MUCH more comfortable driver in the snow, then get the snow tires. There is no question they will add grip during turning and braking that may increase your confidence and make winter driving less stressful. You may not NEED snow tires, but you may feel better knowing they are there

[dpm1]

Originally Posted by BostonMike7

This

Everyone will comment with their opinions, but there are really way too many variables.

Here in Boston, even with our record snowfall last seasons, I've never felt I've needed snow tires on my AWD infiniti. I drove quite a bit through deep snow as well as my commute was 30 miles each. However, when I drove my Mustangs, you pretty much needed snow tires.

BUT, my driving skill is pretty decent, and my car has one of the best (IMHO) AWD systems around, so that might add to the ease of which I have driven through snow. Others, might not be so lucky or confident.

Here's a thought OP. If it will make you a MUCH more comfortable driver in the snow, then get the snow tires. There is no question they will add grip during turning and braking that may increase your confidence and make winter driving less stressful. You may not NEED snow tires, but you may feel better knowing they are there

AWD does not however help you brake. Your AWD system does not make you any safer than a car with FWD.

[canadian citizen]

Here in the Province of Ontario ( population 12 million people ) the Provincial Government has just passed a bill that requires automobile insurance companies to give a 20 percent reduction in annual premiums, to those car owners who buy and install 4 winter tires on their car. This law goes into effect on January 1, 2016.

I have had winter tires on dedicated rims on all my cars for at least 35 years, with another set of summers on rims, as well . Takes 20 minutes to do a tire swap, in my driveway, twice a year .

In The Province of Quebec, the use of snow tires is mandatory on all vehicles, including commercial trucks, that are registered there, from November to April. Any vehicle in Quebec that is involved in a collision that results in personal injury, and the vehicle does not have winter tires on it.......the insurance policy is null and void. That leaves the car owner holding the bag for any court ordered payments to the other driver, or passengers.

Are we serious about this ? Yes , we are.

Jim B.

[Gerania]

Originally Posted by MDrenter223

I have only had to drive in untreated snow twice, once it was less than an inch and amongst the cars I saw in the ditch included a Subaru Outback.

I have also driven on a couple inches of ice/snowmelt, but was the only driver out on the road and this was two days after the snow stopped.

Both times were in a stock compact sedan with factory tires.

This winter I will be needing my snow shovel more than half a dozen times, so will snow tires be enough for my family minivan and commuter sedan if all the drivers in my house are attentive and the cars are in good mechanical shape, or is it time to get new cars?

Thanks CD.

Sounds good to me. If you know how to handle your vehicle and have snow tires, you'll probably not get into too much trouble. Watch out for those other drivers!