Nov 26 2008

Snow tires? In Canada? Really?

Published by Mugwug at 08:03:56 under General

I’ll be honest with you here, I just purchased my very first set of brand new snow tires. Yep, despite the twenty some odd winters I’ve been driving in Canada these are the first snow tires I’ve ever purchased. I always managed to muddle through the winters with all season tires, a good portion of defensive driving and a substantial increase in commute time. My usual nod to winter consisted of buying NEW all-seasons at the onset of winter, which I s’pose is better than nothing, but only just.

Within the city all-seasons are fine 98% of the time, it’s that 2% that was causing me more and more concern, and finally I caved.

Peace of mind is kinda nice too.

8 Responses to “Snow tires? In Canada? Really?”

  1. # Mattion 26 Nov 2008 at 08:47:27

    That’s pretty much right on the money … you don’t need winter tires 98% of the time, but when you do, you really need them. In my experience, you often need them because some other driver has not made adequate allowance for road conditions.

    There’s plenty of articles on the all-season vs. winter tire debate, but this one’s short and to the point … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGfvyPtYR0Y

  2. # Pieteron 26 Nov 2008 at 11:07:04

    Next it’ll be getting a good set of chains for the Kia.
    Then nothing could stop you.
    I might be just a little bitter, we haven’t had snow in a few years.

  3. # Merleon 26 Nov 2008 at 12:43:08

    Can you use studded tires?
    I found them to be superior in traction to chains, and not nearly so noisy/bumpy.
    Unless they are the V-bar type, chains can act like a sled runner when you are slipping sideways and make the situation worse.

    Merle

  4. # Mattion 27 Nov 2008 at 08:55:42

    In Ontario, use of studded tires is restricted to ‘Northern Ontario’ - i.e. north of Parry Sound and Nipissing District. $1,000 fine if you’re caught using them down here in the South.

  5. # Matton 28 Nov 2008 at 00:57:18

    Basically i think you were doing exactly what my father did for years. only a year, or 2 years ago he bought “real” snow tires and say’s you can really spot the difference.

  6. # Ted Onyszczakon 28 Nov 2008 at 04:02:03

    My mini-van came with them. It’s f’in awesome! You get a half inch of snow and it’s like the car’s saying “BRING IT ON BITCH!” Amazing what kids make you do.

  7. # Gregon 28 Nov 2008 at 15:39:13

    A smarter solution is to live in a climate that has to fly snow in.

  8. # Ted Onyszczakon 28 Nov 2008 at 16:18:48

    Then you have to put up with the kind of people who live in climates where they have to fly in snow. Ask Erik about it sometime.

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