daverman

Does anyone use winter tires for driving around Kansas City? Since KC winters range from light to somewhat severe, and it rarely snows for more than 4 days at a time, I was wondering if it was worth getting a dedicated set of tires (and cheap wheels) to putter around.

I was looking at the Michelin Arctic Alpins 255R55/16's ($101 ea. at tirerack) and mounting them on cast iron Accord wheels.

Or should I just save my cash?

TLinKC

Never have owned snow/winter tires. Not worth the money for use maybe 5 days a year.

kensteele

...there aren't any snow days in KC, really. I went with all-seasons on my Acuras in Minnesota and that was fine, so we should definitely be able to get by here w/o snow tires. Save your money.

ChrisTL

yea i too dont use the winter tires here in town, its not worth it. all season for me and in the summer racing tires. i wouldnt buy another set just for winter.

daverman

Wow, that's the response I've heard from everyone who's lived here for much longer than I have. The reason I'm worried is cause I feel that I'm much more prone to having loss-of-control accidents on snow and ice compared to the rest of the year. Most of that is probably my lack of practice with driving on slick surfaces. Living in tropical countries all your life does that to you!

I've had two near-accidents in KC during the last 2 years, caused by tires losing adhesion on ice and snow, and I'm really keen on reducing the risk of another one happening this time around.