I live in the Northeast where winters can be harsh, what kind of tires should I have on the front or for that matter, all four, winter treads,studded or just reg. tires ?
2007-09-22 15:20:03 · 12 answers · asked by flamingo 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Safety
In general, a front-wheel drive car with some good all-weather tires can get through most winter driving events better than a similar car with rear-wheel drive. It's best to have the same kind of tires mounted on all four wheels for best handling.
If your state allows studded tires, and you are willing to go through the annual fall and spring ritual of changing tires, then studs will give you better braking and steering control on icy roadways, but again, you will need to mount them on all four wheels. Probably not worth the hassle unless you live where you need to drive frequently on icy mountain roadways.
2007-09-22 17:01:15 · answer #1 · answered by JetDoc 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Problems with studs: 1. Fast wear 2. Not legal everywhere 3. take off every spring, put back every fall. If you must go when its slippery enough to need studs, you should probably be driving a 4 wheel drive. We live in Wisconsin, and our Chev Venture does just fine with regular radials. Just tell the tire man you want an "aggressive tread". Either winter treads or studs also will be quite noisy at highway speeds. In most instances you will find the front wheel drive does much better than most rear wheel drive vehicles.
2007-09-22 16:23:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Front wheel drive is the most stable set up. I suggest getting a really good set of all season tires or a set of studdable winter tires.
All season: I highly recommend Pirelli P3000 Cinturatos. I have a set on my Corolla, but haven't been through a winter with them yet on this car. The very first set I purchased was on a Volvo 240, about 6 months before a very rare snow storm. Those tires did just fine. I drove across a short bridge at 55mph without losing control of the car, didn't even twitch. ...and I didn't know it was ice until I was on the bridge.
btw...I live in Texas, near Houston.
Pirelli also has a studdable winter tire available through Tire Rack that might be pretty good...Winter Carving.
2007-09-24 06:47:24 · answer #3 · answered by ModelFlyerChick 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Back in the 80's I used to live on a dead end street that was always one of the last to be plowed. This was around the time allot of the front wheel drive cars were starting to come out. The rear wheel drive cars would always struggle to get going or would become stuck. The front wheeled ones would drive straight down the street. Just getting the front wheel drive is going to make a big difference for you. Unless you live in up-state New York or someplace like that, all weather tires are probably all you need.
2007-09-23 03:51:31 · answer #4 · answered by rakaog 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can't beat studded snow tires for traction, at least on the front but all four tires having studs wouldn't hurt at all. If you do a lot of highway driving, the studs tend to wear down a bit fast but it still is a good idea. I know the winters are tough here. I live in CT. Good luck
2007-09-22 16:11:33 · answer #5 · answered by disswmmr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a couple of options outside of purchasing good winter tires. You can purchase quite inexpensively a set of "cable chains". These work quite well and if you mount them correctly they will provide good drivability. You can also run your current tires somewhat under inflated, about 6-8 pounds at the most. This provides a larger "footprint" in contact with the road. This however will effect dry road handling at any speed over residential speed limits. It also will cause faster tire wear that you should be aware of. Bottom line, what is your "butt" worth? You have a good wreck that wipes out your wheels and perhaps causes you harm is hardly a trade off on the money saved not getting proper tires. Good Luck, Peace, Al
2016-05-21 02:55:47 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some suggestions whichever way you go with tires --
Go slow. If you feel yourself go into a spin, ease off on the gas and many times, that will straighten you out. If you continue to skid in that split second after you let off the gas, turn INTO the skid and tap your brake pedal as if you're tapping a golf ball into the hole. Just barely.
Slush and water turn into really slick ice right at sundown, so don't let the slushy, watery conditions fool you.
Front wheel drive is half the battle, but driving in slick conditions takes patience, and experience is nice too. Know your car and remember your mistakes so you can learn from them. You will "slip" up, but only on a minor scale if you remember to do everything slowly.
2007-09-22 19:50:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Winter tires will definitely give you better traction, but if you are going to get them put them on all 4 wheels. If you put them on the front only it will help you get going but will make the car unsafe when stopping or going around corners. The front having more traction than the back is a recepie for spinning out in slippery conditions.
2007-09-22 17:30:24 · answer #8 · answered by cimra 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Studs - most people have trouble with ice and studs are the most reliable traction. BUT, slow down on wet - studs can cause loss of traction too.
Front wheel drive is great - all the rules apply. Keep is slow, buckle up and arrive alive! Be safe!
2007-09-22 17:56:57 · answer #9 · answered by Mike A 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your regular tires will be fine.Common sence will tell you to do the safe things.Leave early-Clean snow and ice off all glass and headlamps and tail lamps.-Drive slower-AND stay away from other drivers.Use your head and you will have a safe winter season.Best of luck and be safe.
2007-09-23 06:45:28 · answer #10 · answered by HyperGforce 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋