Question: Snowy condition... are all seasons ok or should I invest in some Winter Tires?

Anyone in the Toronto ( or some other place that gets snow! ) area with an opinion??? :p

Thanks

-Jeff

 

We get a ton of snow down here in Pittsburgh, but we have the equipment to move it. The problem is the hills and when it snows early in the morning, odd times when they cannot get the snow removed. The hills absolutely kill you in the snow and that is all Pittsburgh is. That being said, a decent set of winer tires aren't that much more than most people's deductible (sliding into a guardrail), so I am a big believer in snow tires. I could tell by the look of the OEM Pilots I have that they would not do anything worthwhile in the snow and heard a few people on this board say as much. All Seasons are a compromise (jack of all trades, master of none).

 

i just got back from a ski week. we had 10+ inches spread over <48hrs. no way would i have been able to move w/ allseasons. i got stuck outside the condo w/ new Goodyear GW3's! these $800. tires just paid for themselves...the amount of extended comfort zone they give is well worth the few hundred you'll spend.


we did have a good giggle @ the volvo x-country that drove off the edge of the lot and got stuck. i also stopped to make sure the chevy blazer driver on the side of the road w/ 2 wheels in the air was ok....oh! and i avoided the moose laying in the middle of rt4 that the Subaru in front of me hit!!!

 

I made out OK last winter with the stock Bridgestones. When I had rear wheel drive years ago on previous car I would put on Snows in the back for sure...but with the FWD I have been fine on my '02 TL and my '04. Your driving style may drive which tire is best for you as well. I suspect MANY areas get worse snow than NJ. So let me rephrase - in NJ, I have had zero problems driving in snow with all seasons.

 

If you are just driving around Toronto, the all seasons are probably OK.
Snow removal in Toronto is very good.

Commuting out of town, snows required.

 

In Toronto, all season are fine, just not the the all seasons that come with the car.

Last winter there were some side streets where I had no traction with those tires, and I bought my car in late October last year.