Is it worth it to keep my snow tires? (Falls Church: apartment, rental) - Northern Virginia - Virginia (VA) - City-Data Forum

Morrigkan · 12-19-2009, 08:06 PM

I know given the recent snow storm it might be a resounding YES. But given that a snow storm of this caliber doesn't often happen in the NoVa region, would it really be worth it to keep my snow tires? In my part of NY they are definitely a necessity, considering we get storms like this a few times a winter. Although now with us moving to Falls Church are they really worth keeping? They definitely make my car handle MUCH better in the snow, but I wasn't sure if you on average get enough snow in this region to make it worthwhile. Do many of you get snow tires for the winter or just stick with all seasons? Any input is appreciated!

CAVA1990 · 12-19-2009, 08:15 PM

We don't normally get that much snow or ice that sticks around. I'd say no.

Morrigkan · 12-20-2009, 06:39 AM

Quite an overwhelming response.....Anyhoo, thanks for the input. Does anyone else down here bother with snow tires for their cars?

car54 · 12-20-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morrigkan

Quite an overwhelming response.....Anyhoo, thanks for the input. Does anyone else down here bother with snow tires for their cars?

I only have snow tires on my old 4X4 pick-up truck that I hardly ever drive...all seasons on everything else. I'd maybe put them on one of my cars if I didn't have the truck...just in case.

But if you already own a set, why would you throw them away? They certainly don't take much room to store. Might as well get your moneys' worth out of them...

Now, if you're asking if it's worth the hassle of having them mounted every year....probably not. But, if they're already mounted on their own rims and all you have to do is spend 30 minutes changing them yourself....why not keep them?

The Dissenter · 12-20-2009, 09:14 AM

If you got the space for them and they are paid for, keep them, I think this will be a wild winter.

athousandlogins · 12-20-2009, 09:28 AM

I agree with Alanboy395, if you have them already you may as well keep them. It's almost unheard of for us to get snow like we've gotten this December...our worst usually comes in Jan/Feb...so if this is a sign of things to come, you'll get good use out of them. Even if only for this year.

But normally, no, people don't generally buy snow tires here. It usually isn't worth it for the few snow events we have, in normal years.

Morrigkan · 12-20-2009, 09:55 AM

Unfortunately the tires aren't already mounted on rims, and even if they were I'd have no idea of how to change them myself. I'm not what you would call "mechanically inclined" My husband and I each have a set for our respective cars. I was thinking of having them mounted at least for the move down and maybe keep them on the rest of the winter. My car drives pretty horribly in the snow without snow tires.

The only problem is, the apartment that we have doesn't really have an appropriate place to store the other tires, unless we were to put them in the guest room closet

So I guess I'll have to figure out if I think its worth it. I'm used to driving in the snow in all sorts of conditions, so even without the snow tires I could hack it, its just the other people I'm worried about.

genesisgirl · 12-20-2009, 10:17 AM

Well, I'm from VA, but in Miami now. There hasn't been too much snow up there, but you guys just got a big one, and according to my Grandmother, you may be in for another one next week. I would keep those tires for a while, it seams to go through a few heavy winters before the mild ones come back around.

weezycom · 12-20-2009, 12:12 PM

I have a friend who keeps a set of snow tires on one of his 4WD cars from mid-December thru February. But he has many rental properties and has to be able to get around to them in the bad weather, and he can write off the expense of them.

z28lt1 · 12-20-2009, 05:39 PM

I think it depends upon what your driving needs are. We don't go that much snow, but if you have to drive in it, I would out on the snow tires. That said, unless your job requires you to drive in snow, why would you the couple of days a year we get snow? I have snow tires for one of my cars, all mounted and ready to go. This will be the 3rd winter in a row I won't use them. I didn't drive Saturday or Sunday, and the roads will be good enough on Monday that I don't need them.