Southside Slopes/Mt Oliver - snow tires? (Brownsville: home, living in)

[SouthSideBenny]

I know this question has been asked before, that's how I found this forum in the first place. But I wanted to know what you guys think. I drive a 2011 Chevy Aveo which has front wheel drive but is an extremely light compact. I've never owned snow tires before, and it hasn't been an issue for the past few years because I've been living in the southside flats. But now I live up over the top of the slopes in the Mt. Oliver area and completely surrounded by really steep hills (between Arlington Ave, Brownsville and Mountain Ave). Do you think I need to get 4 snow tires for the winter, or just 2? if 2, should they be on the front or back? And if you happen to know a good place where I can get a good deal I would really appreciate a tip. Thanks!

[gg]

Originally Posted by SouthSideBenny

I know this question has been asked before, that's how I found this forum in the first place. But I wanted to know what you guys think. I drive a 2011 Chevy Aveo which has front wheel drive but is an extremely light compact. I've never owned snow tires before, and it hasn't been an issue for the past few years because I've been living in the southside flats. But now I live up over the top of the slopes in the Mt. Oliver area and completely surrounded by really steep hills (between Arlington Ave, Brownsville and Mountain Ave). Do you think I need to get 4 snow tires for the winter, or just 2? if 2, should they be on the front or back? And if you happen to know a good place where I can get a good deal I would really appreciate a tip. Thanks!

If you feel the need, get two for the front. Sure all 4 is the best route because your car would have the same sidewall feel all around and that is better. If you don't mind walking up the hill 4-5 days a year, you probably could forgo them entirely. I just run all season, but my car is AWD.

[slamont61]

Snow tires aren't really needed these days. All Season is best, that and use common sense.

[Mugatu]

Originally Posted by slamont61

Snow tires aren't really needed these days. All Season is best, that and use common sense.

Disagree. All-season isn't "best" for any season. It's a compromise tire made to be useable in any weather, but if you want the best performance in snow, get dedicated snow tires. They make a HUGE difference. They might not be "needed" except for a couple days each winter, but if one of those days it means the difference between driving home or leaving your car on the side of the road and walking, it might certainly be worth it. Your call.

[shlewis]

I have studded snowtires and always will - though, it is a matter of personal preference, I suppose. (though, living on a dead-end street that has been described as a 'cliff' on multiple occaisons they've always been a necessity..)

John Varney Tire and Auto is on Brownsville road and I've always found them to be reliable, honest, and fairly priced.

As to 2 vs. 4, it would depend on your driving style and where you're driving. I would imagine that 2 should be okay, though.

[mattejb]

Winter tires are better below 50 degrees if there is snow or not. Your braking distance will greatly decrease as the temperature decreases. That's not even takings into account if there is snow,ice,water, leaves, gravel on the ground. Stoping is more important then going.

[sparrowmint]

I've found it hard to get in the mindset of using winter tires since I don't know anyone amongst my family, friends or acquaintances in Ontario that do. The majority there don't use them (according to stats), and studded/chained tires are illegal. Of course, the plowing and the salting of the roads (my parents work in the road salt industry) tends to be topnotch there (aside from remote areas), the most extreme of blizzards aside.

I would relate my experience of living in Mt. Oliver during the winter, but during the worst of the winter that we lived there (2009-2010), no one ever plowed the three feet of snow on the roads, and so we never got to drive anywhere whenever it was bad.

[gg]

I would HIGHLY recommend you don't get studded tires. They are horribly dangerous on wet and dry pavement as they cut stopping distances down significantly. Also if you are driving a front wheel drive car it would be a very bad idea because you are putting studded tires on the front and that is where much of your braking power comes from. Bad idea.

[Pitts10yrs]

Walmart typically has small tires, and you can get them for around $50 each. Depending on your driving skills, I would say go with winter tires in the front. You can find a set of used rims for cheap and get a set of snow tires swapped to the front. Dont drive on them in the summer, or they will wear fast. All seasons are good. The rear of your car is very light so with a poor tire on the back you risk decreased stopping power, and also the risk of the rear coming around especially coming down a hill (called oversteering).

Another winter trick is to decrease tire pressure increasing you contact patch. You can drop the tire pressure down to 20psi, and the tire will sit flatter on the ground giving you more contact. Dont drive at high speeds like this, it will just wear your tire more.

Also, you can get tire cables. Everyone knows about tire chains, but a lesser alternative is cables, and then they even have emergency straps. Check JC whitney. If you are in a jam a set of cables can help a lot.