Utards :: Snow/Winter Tires

[jayfrizzo]

Do you use 'em? Trying to figure out if the wife should get 'em. She's going to be driving up to Sundance pretty much every day through the winter. We're still NewTards, so don't know what to expect.

We have a '98 Subary Legacy GT Wagon. Don't be fooled by the GT -- it's a putter. Anyhow, we have all-season's on it now, but they're pretty old (20,000 miles). Am thinking of getting winter tires, and then in another year or so getting some more all-seasons.

Thoughts?


Thanks,
J-

[SLCFreshies]

Yes on winter tires. Look here. Blizzak WS-50 would be my recommendation.

[boarderline]

I'd get a good pair of cable chains and put them on as needed. It only takes a few minutes and you'll get better gas mileage than snow tires.

[altagirl]

Really, you'll be fine as long as your tires are good. I noticed an improvement when I went to actual snow tires, but didn't have any real problems the year before when I was just using all season tires on my Subaru.

[Strider]

AWD+Good all-weather tires+Good driving habits= (PAE) Positive Automobile Experience.

[BobMc]

Get yourself a set of these:


http://static.summitracing.com/globa...gdy-1897_m.jpg


You'll be fine.

BobMc

[Benny Profane]

Hey, parallel threads: http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...&threadid=2006

I've had two Outbacks, and never had to put snow tires on them - the all season were more than adaquate for dumps and ice in Vermont.

[Buzzworthy]

Remember our green Mercury Tracer Wagon?? I put just 40,000 mile rated excellect tread snow tires on that and it worked great. Just gotta remember to take them off in the spring or they will suck next year, trust me.

She carried cable chains too. Get those soon, like real soon, and practice in the driveway a few times putting them on. It is a whole different story trying to put them on in a foot of snow for the fisrt time. It sucks.

Plus the practice gets them fitted just right for the next time.

Total cost: Not much for keeping your wife safe.

Or you could get studded snowtires and vibrate the fillings right out of your teeth. My pops thinks that is the only way to go. This coming from a man who lives in Tucson.

Get on it !!

Always remember, safety first!

[Buzzworthy]

Originally posted by BobMc
Get yourself a set of these:


http://static.summitracing.com/globa...gdy-1897_m.jpg

You'll be fine.

BobMc

Those are only rated to 40-60 laps, depending on the track.

-Buzznascarfreak

[Woodsy]

Provo Canyon can suck get snow tires & cahins & if you plan on her drivinng you up Big or Little Cottonwood
I drive past a sign every day that says:

State law requires vehicles to carry chains or have snow tires on the vehicle from November 1 through May 1.

[Buzzworthy]

There you have it, STATE LAW!!! I pass that sign too but it is usually covered in snow.

[CS]

Originally posted by Woodsy:
Provo Canyon can suck

And the road to Sundance can suck even more. I've seen many a vehicle end up in the creek....

I'd have to agree with the cable chain idea.

[Mr. Altagirl]

44" Super Swampers mounted on bead locks. Your Subaru may need to be modified a bit but it should be no problem. Stop by our garage and we will start wrenching immediatly!!

[Endlessseason]

I'd say if there's ever a chance you'll have to borrow her car on a "canyon-restricted" pow day, you better make sure you've got chains cuz they won't let you up without chains, AWD or 4WD.
I've fought that fight many times with the sheriffs when I've had FWD with 4 new burly studded M&S. They won't do it even though it's a better set up than some of the bald-tire 4WD's I see going up sometimes.

[Endlessseason]

Oh, and yeah, for her safety, I'd get studded snows cuz if she's like my wife, the chance of her putting chains on by herself is nil.

[summit]

Either Dunlop Graspic DS-1 or SP Wintersport M3....


but to stud them or not?

1999 Honda Accord

[altagirl]

Originally posted by Endlessseason
I'd say if there's ever a chance you'll have to borrow her car on a "canyon-restricted" pow day, you better make sure you've got chains cuz they won't let you up without chains, AWD or 4WD.
I've fought that fight many times with the sheriffs when I've had FWD with 4 new burly studded M&S. They won't do it even though it's a better set up than some of the bald-tire 4WD's I see going up sometimes.

I've never been turned back at the chain check point in my Subaru (even before I had snow tires) and don't have chains. Not that they aren't a good idea...

[LCC]

I just stuck a set of Blizzak LM-22's on my Audi. Wow, very impressesed with them so far.

[Endlessseason]

Originally posted by altagirl
I've never been turned back at the chain check point in my Subaru

That's cuz you've got one of the "chains, AWD or 4WD."

[Endlessseason]

...and I should learn to read the first post more effectively. I just noticed that Frizz was talking about a Subaru also.
Doi.

[summit]

OK new choices... Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 or Dunlop Graspic DS-1

[cololi]

Get the snowtires. As mentioned, the road to Sundance can be brutal in a snowstorm. Chains are a good idea, but i dont think the Misses is going to want to stop to put them on on her way to work.

[JR]

BF Goodrich Tracedge, if ya can get them are the most amazing winter tires I've ever owned.

[LCC]

I looked into the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50 and decided to go with the LM-22's instead. For one simple reason of life. I seem to remember that the WS-50's are pretty short lived if you have to drive on dry pavement much. I commute from SLC to Provo daily and couldn't afford to keep buying tires.

[BakerBoy]

Originally posted by boarderline
I'd get a good pair of cable chains and put them on as needed. It only takes a few minutes and you'll get better gas mileage than snow tires.

Good plan, except you can't put chains on Subaru Legacy GT's due to clearance issues with the bodywork.

Nokian Hakka Q's are pretty sweet, but I'm stepping it up this winter to some Hakka 1's, which are studded. www.nokiantire.com

Not great tires for tire wear though. Neither are my Kuhmo Supra Ecsta 712's, but that's why they are my summer tires.