In snow? FWD vs AWD vs dedicated snow tires

[philsey]

Yeah, you've changed your tune a little there Bub. Now you're implying that the driver with bald tires (could have) decided to stay home.....

Hell, I would have pulled off the road. I'm smart enough to know My all weather tires couldn't make it. anyways. bottom line. drivers, tires, car. The driver makes the decisions. Boom. End discussion.

..... whereas before, your bald-tired hero took on a foot of snow.

..... Bald tires, foot of snow, 2 am canyon drive. yepp just fine.
.

The topic WAS however, what is best IN SNOW - remember?

 

[wallytoo]

All i'm saying is Driver-> Tires -> Drivetrain.

and i stand by my comment that you do not yet have enough experience driving in winter conditions.

clearly.

it doesn't matter how good a driver you are. driving in snow, on a highway, as opposed to off-road, requires adequate traction. bald tires do not equate to traction, 4wd or not. it really is that simple.

 

[TheArkMaster]

Shit, Can we just end this damn argument. Different opinions.

 

[wallytoo]

the most effective way for you to avoid participating further in the discussion is to refrain from posting in the thread.

it is not an opinion. it is fact. snow tires are better than non-snow tires in snow. no amount of desire by the driver will change that.

 

[BigNuge]

Over 22 years on the road in New England.

Never owned a set of snows. Never been stuck with a 4WD or AWD on the road (good quality/condition A/T's). To be clear, when I say I have never been stuck I mean while attentive driving ON THE ROAD. I have been stuck in the driveway (really deep/un plowed driveway) or from goofing around.

I have had ONE winter accident on the road, and that was driving my service vehicle with studded snows on the rear.

I'm not saying or arguing anything different here. I'm simply giving my experience with snow tires and regular A/T's. Personally, if you are driving an AWD or 4WD then there is no need for snows. Use your head and make sure your A/T's are in good shape before winter and you'll be just fine.

That being said, I am a believer in snows on 2WD vehicles. I am looking for a set for my mothers 2010 Corolla. A limited capability drivetrain and a limited capability driver = all the help they can get.

 

[ebg18t]

My vehicle that I keep in snow country (CO) uses Nokian Hakka snow tires. We get a fair amount of snow (~250"/yr). In NH we used snow tires on the AWD Car & FWD car, but AT tires on the truck.

I suggest to everyone that they attend a winter driving school. Bridgestone runs one in Steamboat CO and McNeil runs on in northern NH. Both are a blast and everyone learns something. During the summer I teach at the PCA & ACNA HDPE schools and I always look forward to attending the winter schools. No matter how much I drive I always learn something from other drivers at the winter schools. Plus they are just plain fun.

That being said, I am a believer in snows on 2WD vehicles. I am looking for a set for my mothers 2010 Corolla. A limited capability drivetrain and a limited capability driver = all the help they can get.

Not sure where in NH you are. But MR Gee's Tire has the best price on a Nokian tires that I found. I put Nokian Hakka R's on my moms FWD VW and it handles winters well. Prior to that when she saw less snow I had Nokian WGR2 on her car year around. Excellent in mixed/dangerous conditions. She used to be a lot more nervous, but she feels more comfortable in the snow on the Hakka R's. If it's really bad dad just takes her to work in the F450 plow truck w/sander (chains on the back)

 

[BigNuge]

My vehicle that I keep in snow country (CO) uses Nokian Hakka snow tires. We get a fair amount of snow (~250"/yr). In NH we used snow tires on the AWD Car & FWD car, but AT tires on the truck.

I suggest to everyone that they attend a winter driving school. Bridgestone runs one in Steamboat CO and McNeil runs on in northern NH. Both are a blast and everyone learns something. During the summer I teach at the PCA & ACNA HDPE schools and I always look forward to attending the winter schools. No matter how much I drive I always learn something from other drivers at the winter schools. Plus they are just plain fun.



Not sure where in NH you are. But MR Gee's Tire has the best price on a Nokian tires that I found. I put Nokian Hakka R's on my moms FWD VW and it handles winters well. Prior to that when she saw less snow I had Nokian WGR2 on her car year around. Excellent in mixed/dangerous conditions. She used to be a lot more nervous, but she feels more comfortable in the snow on the Hakka R's. If it's really bad dad just takes her to work in the F450 plow truck w/sander (chains on the back)

Yeah, if it is going to be exceptionally bad (snow) I usually just take her to work in my Tundra.

 

[RunnerAK]

Studded snow tires > non-studded snow tires > all seasons

As stated earlier in the thread, a basic understanding of momentum and friction will serve you a lot better than just relying on tires/drivetrain layout. Knowing that you need to slow it way down and allow more space between you and the car ahead of you in snowy/icy conditions doesn't seem to be common sense though. We just had our first major snow of the season up here in Anchorage, AK and there were 70+ accidents on the first day due to everone still thinking that they could drive around like it was summer time with bare roads (floor it at green lights and then SLAM on the brakes at red lights, etc...).