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Should you consider winter tires?

GasBuddy Blog -- Let's assume that folks in the Midwest already know the answer to that question. But if you live elsewhere and you're undecided on snow tires, remember, it's better to be safe than sorry. Our friends at Pepboys say that if you live in an area that only sees a few light snows a year, then all-season tires are probably the way to go.

But, if you regularly drive in cold and/or snowy conditions during winter months then good snow tires are a smart investment. And hopefully, if you do need them, Santa left them under your Christmas tree!

What are the advantages? It's all in the design of the tires.

A winter tire’s tread design is very important. It includes specialized “lugs” that are raised blocks of tread designed...

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Submitted Dec 27, 2012 By: PD

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gir1938 All-Star Author Indianapolis Posts:666 Points:125,685 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 1:44:17 PM Ignore gir1938 Report Abuse a lot depends on how a person drives also.
ovillaone All-Star Author Dallas Posts:780 Points:177,455 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Jan 2, 2013 6:44:39 AM Ignore ovillaone Report Abuse All weather tires are all we need down here in Texas.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,610 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jan 1, 2013 2:05:34 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Happy 2013!
joanne_abrahams Rookie Author New York Posts:73 Points:7,565 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 11:18:29 AM Ignore joanne_abrahams Report Abuse i like winter tires
garywa01 Sophomore Author Alberta Posts:130 Points:379,165 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 9:54:10 AM Ignore garywa01 Report Abuse i use them
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,610 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 31, 2012 12:00:47 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse a14: it depends. When I lived in Europe, many Americans thought the same way, but you can't use summer tires when you're driving into ski resorts and have snow/slick ice on the way (before the salt truck got there). Heck, I remember, a bunch of us were helping folks up a good steep hill after the salt truck came through as the six laned interstate was blocked due to folks not making it up the hill - they kept sliding backward after about 1/3rd up. Several of us laid across the hoods or stood on the rear bumpers to weigh the vehicles down more so they could make it up the slippery slope.
a14morfun Champion Author Ontario Posts:11,791 Points:2,075,265 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 12:17:55 PM Ignore a14morfun Report Abuse If you know HOW TO DRIVE in the snow, like I do, then you don't need them. It's all the No-Brainers who fly by me that I see in the ditch five miles down the road, "because their tires weren't good enough." LOL
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,610 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 8:00:05 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse joopie: you NEED them too, but some of use don't need them (since there's no snow, just rain and mud and lots of flip-flops on the temperatures. From spring to semi-winter back to spring back to semi-winter .... all in a week's span.).
jjfisher All-Star Author Toledo Posts:546 Points:748,440 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 1:43:51 AM Ignore jjfisher Report Abuse I've lived in the northern states for over 40 yrs, since I could drive. I've always had all-season on my cars & trucks. I'll admit I've thought about snow tires, but I'd put them on used rims so I could change them myself.
7SPEEDY7 Champion Author Flint Posts:1,286 Points:604,700 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Dec 30, 2012 1:09:08 AM Ignore 7SPEEDY7 Report Abuse never have!
joopieVZ Sophomore Author Grand Rapids Posts:216 Points:205,235 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Dec 29, 2012 3:34:49 PM Ignore joopieVZ Report Abuse Love my snow tires. We have a set of snow tires on steel wheels for each car - in addition to the better traction, we preserve the "summer" tires and alloy wheels and subject the winter wheels/tires to the snow, ice, pot holes, and salt. Yes, honda0105, that sounds like the weather here in Michigan!
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,610 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 29, 2012 8:05:32 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Montway: interesting perspective. Not what I know... and not what I did when I did live there. In fact, I probably drove more to get to various ski resorts on the weekends.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,610 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 29, 2012 8:04:38 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse winter? Is that the time when that big fat white stuff comes down? LOL. Don't have it here. Though the weather in Florida has been weird overall.
Montway Rookie Author Chicago Posts:3 Points:160 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 5:40:05 PM Ignore Montway Report Abuse A winter tires are expensive in Europe. That's why you don't see traffic during the winter time :)
bston Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,815 Points:641,300 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 4:36:05 PM Ignore bston Report Abuse Glad we don't have to worry about having snow tires where we live.
Costello Champion Author South Dakota Posts:1,406 Points:1,153,465 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 2:06:12 PM Ignore Costello Report Abuse Use all-seaon all year., No problems on 4wd suv
t_flor Champion Author Illinois Posts:2,305 Points:958,140 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 1:29:42 PM Ignore t_flor Report Abuse If it's bad enough outside to have snow tires...I'm not going out!
drillintheUSA All-Star Author Rochester Posts:878 Points:181,910 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 10:47:19 AM Ignore drillintheUSA Report Abuse Yes. Please consider buying them if you feel you need them. Da.
crep1291 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,578 Points:480,900 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 10:24:42 AM Ignore crep1291 Report Abuse Not sure I really need them, even in Ottawa. My 4x4 has better traction than my previous VW Golf with a set of winter tires.
driver169 Champion Author New York Posts:12,135 Points:2,560,400 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 10:07:05 AM Ignore driver169 Report Abuse All weather does not equal winter. Not even related.
oilfreak All-Star Author Houston Posts:687 Points:36,885 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 9:43:58 AM Ignore oilfreak Report Abuse You wouldnt need them if they're an all-weather tire.
DrLyon Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,650 Points:1,211,230 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 9:15:47 AM Ignore DrLyon Report Abuse Michigan snowy,yes...
blupupher Champion Author Houston Posts:3,545 Points:747,070 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 9:03:53 AM Ignore blupupher Report Abuse I may see snow once every 5 years, so I don't need them.
85XJ Champion Author Toledo Posts:5,596 Points:1,279,790 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:58:15 AM Ignore 85XJ Report Abuse I've owned two sets of all season tires and neither set was very good. They didn't handle a lite dusting of snow well nor did they drive good in the rain. Two sets of tires for me, one set for warm weather and one for snow/cold weather. But that's just me and my experiences.
hatterasjack Champion Author South Carolina Posts:1,296 Points:725,225 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:49:52 AM Ignore hatterasjack Report Abuse Not here in South Carolina. Not even in Maryland where I grew up. Back then My Dad would put the snow tires on every year around Thanksgiving. Now if I lived outside Altoona Pa. and had to drive into town to work at a Sheetz store I would not only change to snows but would use studs too. "All season" does not include the kind of snow and ice in western Pennsylvania.
goalie1950 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:6,405 Points:1,295,445 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:48:09 AM Ignore goalie1950 Report Abuse ZZZZZZZ Somebody at GB has fallen asleep at the switch AGAIN. Need to refresh these articles in a more timely manner.
DeeLA Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:4,813 Points:1,364,355 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:46:16 AM Ignore DeeLA Report Abuse Old news
ELECTRICALMIKE Sophomore Author Alberta Posts:156 Points:769,170 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:45:05 AM Ignore ELECTRICALMIKE Report Abuse First year that I have used winter tires on my 2 cars. what a difference in handling and stoping distance. Even at -40. I haven't put them on my 4X4 trucks yet but plan to for next winter as my brother in law runs studded winter tires on his truck and swears by them. 4X4's pull out great with standard tires but will not turn or stop as well as with winter tires.
Wizrd03 Champion Author Illinois Posts:8,147 Points:1,631,360 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:44:38 AM Ignore Wizrd03 Report Abuse Old news
SqrKpf Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,920 Points:388,610 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:43:26 AM Ignore SqrKpf Report Abuse repost...
GustheCat2 Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,851 Points:415,350 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:43:11 AM Ignore GustheCat2 Report Abuse I haven't used snow tires since studs were allowed back in the '70's
bullseye100 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,424 Points:583,605 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:42:35 AM Ignore bullseye100 Report Abuse Good all-season tires work well in most areas.
Bobmilan Champion Author Louisville Posts:1,195 Points:474,600 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:41:16 AM Ignore Bobmilan Report Abuse Not in S. In.
walkerms1 All-Star Author Albany Posts:960 Points:159,900 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:41:09 AM Ignore walkerms1 Report Abuse Seen too many good cars wrecked because their owners cheaped out on crappy tires.
Badjef Champion Author Florida Posts:4,040 Points:816,865 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:40:31 AM Ignore Badjef Report Abuse I used to use studded snow tires. I don't worry about it anymore since moving to Florida.
SUPPER Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:2,473 Points:1,287,745 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:40:11 AM Ignore SUPPER Report Abuse Old story
ILANGE9 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,610 Points:1,596,225 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:39:44 AM Ignore ILANGE9 Report Abuse Old
Janetique Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:1,134 Points:745,665 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:39:09 AM Ignore Janetique Report Abuse No, not where I am...
HelenT Champion Author Buffalo Posts:2,949 Points:597,925 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:39:01 AM Ignore HelenT Report Abuse old story
nwhawk Champion Author Kansas Posts:1,962 Points:571,690 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:38:56 AM Ignore nwhawk Report Abuse Drive a 4 wheel drive vehicle or just stay home.
TTM77 Champion Author Maryland Posts:2,134 Points:1,211,780 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:38:21 AM Ignore TTM77 Report Abuse no... not enough winter weather here to consider winter tires.
TA33 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:1,487 Points:321,040 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:37:41 AM Ignore TA33 Report Abuse I only drive on plowed streets.
reichera Champion Author Virginia Posts:11,233 Points:1,948,815 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:36:06 AM Ignore reichera Report Abuse Old news
speedraider Champion Author Orlando Posts:3,668 Points:1,643,920 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:35:59 AM Ignore speedraider Report Abuse nope
CTTeacher Champion Author Waterbury Posts:1,815 Points:2,147,585 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:35:54 AM Ignore CTTeacher Report Abuse Don't have any.
dopster Champion Author Toledo Posts:7,269 Points:2,291,275 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:35:46 AM Ignore dopster Report Abuse Nope! All weather tires suit me fine!
red82mtu Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,942 Points:788,650 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:34:31 AM Ignore red82mtu Report Abuse Stupid traction control still kicks in either way.
paulp24 Champion Author Harrisburg Posts:4,532 Points:821,350 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:34:10 AM Ignore paulp24 Report Abuse Have not for years
FieroGT Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:14,317 Points:2,505,135 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:33:54 AM Ignore FieroGT Report Abuse Not necessary with front wheel drive.
studebaker1940 Champion Author Tampa Posts:2,505 Points:685,580 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Dec 28, 2012 8:33:30 AM Ignore studebaker1940 Report Abuse Don't think so in Florida