Wanted to see how many of you swap out your summer/all season tires for snow tires once winter comes around.
Snow Tires - Yes or No?
Doogals
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I know of no place in the US that requires snow tires be used re: the post above??? I am not saying there isn't but I haven't heard of it. Maybe out west somewhere? I have heard of areas in Canada that require a tire to have the snowflake symbol for certain months of the year however. I find that foolish though as some of the tires that carry that symbol are pretty crappy tires in the bad weather and tires without it can do better in the snow. Typical government regulations that in the end make things harder on us and don't provide the results expected.
I have never used snow tires. My Dad used them years and years ago before tire technology caught up. Regular tires can now do very well in bad weather if people just slow down and take it easy. Snow tires won't help the morons that still go 90 when it is snowing. A good all season tire that is M+S rated or a decent all terrain can do the job if you drive properly and remember it is slippery out. I am not going to go through the hassle of 2 sets of tires. One and done for me. I have never had an accident in the snow that snow tires would have stopped or made a bit of difference in.
Actually, I have only had one winter conditions related accident in 26+ years driving here in NH during some horrible winters. Had a 2005 Silverado 4WD w/ Bridgestone Dueler AT Revo's. One of the best if not the best AT's for snow and ice. On the way to my Brother's for Christmas in 2006 it was stormy out. Roads were HORRIBLE( snow turned to freezing rain and back to snow which made the roads a skating rink )! I was fine until we got detoured and the detour sent everyone up a steep hill. The moron at the head of the line got up to the top and then just stopped in the middle of the road. People started sliding back down the hill and the road turned into a bumper car gallery. I got bumped which started me sliding. I managed to get control 1/2 way down and was lucky as cars went past me without hitting me on the way to the bottom. Snow tires would have done NOTHING to help.
IMO snow tires are a waste of money. Just slow down and take it easy and run a good quality all season tire.
I have never used snow tires. My Dad used them years and years ago before tire technology caught up. Regular tires can now do very well in bad weather if people just slow down and take it easy. Snow tires won't help the morons that still go 90 when it is snowing. A good all season tire that is M+S rated or a decent all terrain can do the job if you drive properly and remember it is slippery out. I am not going to go through the hassle of 2 sets of tires. One and done for me. I have never had an accident in the snow that snow tires would have stopped or made a bit of difference in.
Actually, I have only had one winter conditions related accident in 26+ years driving here in NH during some horrible winters. Had a 2005 Silverado 4WD w/ Bridgestone Dueler AT Revo's. One of the best if not the best AT's for snow and ice. On the way to my Brother's for Christmas in 2006 it was stormy out. Roads were HORRIBLE( snow turned to freezing rain and back to snow which made the roads a skating rink )! I was fine until we got detoured and the detour sent everyone up a steep hill. The moron at the head of the line got up to the top and then just stopped in the middle of the road. People started sliding back down the hill and the road turned into a bumper car gallery. I got bumped which started me sliding. I managed to get control 1/2 way down and was lucky as cars went past me without hitting me on the way to the bottom. Snow tires would have done NOTHING to help.
IMO snow tires are a waste of money. Just slow down and take it easy and run a good quality all season tire.
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I agree, snow tires are way overrated. Any inclement weather, it is driver's skill (or lack of) that preempts any tire on the road. Assuming your tires are in decent shape, your vehicle's performance is determined by driver's skill.
On my 2003 WJ Grand Cherokee, I run Dunlop Radial Rover ATs. Inexpensive--some may say cheap--but I'm that sort of guy. Smooth, quiet, and excellent tread ware. Too bad that Dunlop has disco'd this tire.
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/album.php?albumid=490
I bought these a year ago Labor Day weekend from Tire Rack and they installed them at their warehouse in South Bend, IN. Currently, I have just over 30,000 miles on them.
http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/album.php?albumid=561
My son's Jeep and daughter's Neon, during a 33" lake effect snow fall with 30 MPH winds and gust to 50 MPH. The Jeeps were able to get out; the Neon didn't move for three days.
My wife's KK Liberty needs tires and I'm looking into the Dunlop RvXT AT tire.
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I have an extra set of rims so I'm debating if I want to put a set on there just in case. Studs are illegal in MN. But I'd want a set of ice storm studded tires I'd use only if there is and ice storm. Besides, if you need studded snow tires in an ice storm, and no one else including the cops have them, who will ever catch up to you?
Overall it would be kind of a waste for me. If there is a lot of snow, I'll be driving the CJ8 with the plow on it.
Overall it would be kind of a waste for me. If there is a lot of snow, I'll be driving the CJ8 with the plow on it.
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This will be my first winter with the Patriot, but I traditionally run snow tires on both of our vehicles. Due to the amount of salt they use here in the winter, I prefer to take alloy wheels off when there is snow on the ground, so I have to swap the wheels anyways, I might as well put snows on. Snow tires are not "necessary" here(most days), but they do ad a bit of assurance. I need to be able to drive into the office at any time, whether the plows have gone by or not.
A few years ago we got 39" of heavy snow in 30 hours and I got called into work to clean heaping piles of snow off of the A/C condensers. Without snow tires and 4WD, I never would have made it there
A few years ago we got 39" of heavy snow in 30 hours and I got called into work to clean heaping piles of snow off of the A/C condensers. Without snow tires and 4WD, I never would have made it there
I'm in Denver and while we do get some snowy days, we do have 300+ days of sunshine each year. When it does snow, they usually dry & melt up within a day or two. So, in this area, snow tires can be usefull those few times it does snow, but I think they are an overkill. All-Season tires are fine and if it there is a day or two that it is really bad outside here in Denver that you think you'd need snow tires, I suggest taking the day off. lol
Yeah, I don't run snow tires either. I thought about it, but I drove last winter during a VERY bad snow storm with the Patriot and it did fine. Just have to have 4x4 mode locked in. Most of the time, the street gets cleared within a hour of the snow stopping, so I really don't need snow tires anyway. It's just added an added expense.
IF you are going to keep the Patriot for a reasonable length of time, and you have the storage space, I could see the advantage of using snow tires. I've seen a few tests between snow tires and all-weathers, and snow tires do perform better in snow.
You have to remember that snow tires aren't just about snow, but also temperature. If the temperature goes below 30ish degrees(?) the rubber on regular tires get stiff and turn into ice pops. Taking curves, turning, and stopping is hindered. Snow tires are made of extremely soft rubber, so it doesn't have the same problem. I've seen the two compared, and the snow tires stopped dozens of feet before the all-weathers.
IF you are going to keep the Patriot for a reasonable length of time, and you have the storage space, I could see the advantage of using snow tires. I've seen a few tests between snow tires and all-weathers, and snow tires do perform better in snow.
You have to remember that snow tires aren't just about snow, but also temperature. If the temperature goes below 30ish degrees(?) the rubber on regular tires get stiff and turn into ice pops. Taking curves, turning, and stopping is hindered. Snow tires are made of extremely soft rubber, so it doesn't have the same problem. I've seen the two compared, and the snow tires stopped dozens of feet before the all-weathers.
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On work days, I wake up the rooster AND the snow plow drivers on the way into work. Don't use snow tires in one of the worst lake effect snow areas in the nation--from roughly south of Michigan City, IN to South Bend, IN/southwest Michigan. Have only lost two days due to snow in over ten years of doing the commute. One day was when I was driving our old Neon and I didn't own a Jeep.
BTW, I believe the CDOT website in Colorado says residents there can drive studded snow tires year round.
BTW, I believe the CDOT website in Colorado says residents there can drive studded snow tires year round.
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I run the SR-As all year, never been a problem on the roads, and off road I throw on chains. I've thought about going to snow tires too, but then would want the exact same diameter, or 5 tires so the spare was the same. I'd also want another set of wheels, so I could just swap them out myself. I am a careful driver when the weather's bad though, I've had a lot of experience driving in the snow and ice, and I think that helps.
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Are tire chains illegal in MN? In Indiana, you can run studded tires from mid-November to sometime in April, I think. Chains are allowed when weather conditions require them, but I don't own a set and have never needed them.
The last week in April, 2010, when we were in ready to leave Gunnison, CO on our way home, a big snowstorm hit the mountain passes and trucks had to chain up. With our 4WD Jeep--and all season tires, we were allowed to continue.
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Yeah i did the hole Alaska deal with the Army and i got me Riot up there. And i got my tires in the summer time and never switched out for winter or snow tires. And thay work fine all winter and the little summer. Even now in Oregon the wet mounths or "winter" is coming and no im not going to swap them out.
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Me I think, my moms place need a snow plows. So i'd definitely swap mine. Or I can just buy one. It's your choice.
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Personally if you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle I don't see the point in putting snow tires on. As long as your tires are good for all around use (summer and winter) and aren't bald I don't see a person having a problem. I live in Montana where they don't often spray or salt the highways (they do sand them some) so I've driven on some pretty nasty roads with my Cherokee in the last 4 or so years. Most of the time I had to be in 2wd since its not a full-time system. Plus, I don't have ABS or traction control on it, but I'm glad it doesn't have either. I'm sure there has been a time or two where ABS would have screwed me over.
I run snow tires in the winter. Ignatz is FWD and I expect him to act like a Jeep in the snow. Nothing like getting stuck with "Jeep" logo on the fenders. With good snow tires I can get anywhere I need to. Even the SRAs did all right when they were new.
Yes, good tires make a difference. Wifey complained about her Wrangler in the snow and I didn't believe her till I had to drive it in the snow one night. A 4WD with lousy tires (Goodyear RTS) is not nearly as good as a FWD Patriot with good tires (General Altimax Artics).
Uh, yes, . . . humbly I admitted she was right and within a few days got General Grabber AT2s.
With good snow tires I can get anywhere I need to. Even the SRAs did all right when they were new.Yes, good tires make a difference. Wifey complained about her Wrangler in the snow and I didn't believe her till I had to drive it in the snow one night. A 4WD with lousy tires (Goodyear RTS) is not nearly as good as a FWD Patriot with good tires (General Altimax Artics).
Uh, yes, . . . humbly I admitted she was right and within a few days got General Grabber AT2s.
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The 1st winter with our Patriot I used the OEM SRA's and they were good in deep snow but I thought they were scary on ice. I bought the Michelin X-Ice Xi2 winter tires and this will be our 4th winter season on em and they still have plenty of tread life. I take them off before the warm weather. They are Not so spectacular in deep snow but they are better on icy roads compared to the SRA's. I do a lot of driving in B.C. and Montana for ski trips otherwise I could get by with All Season tires.
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