It's all about the tires

In the last 24 hours we've had officially about a foot of snow....though we measured 14" on my side of town. I had to make a 25 mile drive home late yesterday afternoon (that was fun) and a trip this morning to my in-laws house to dig them out and to the grocery. I've done about 100 miles in this stuff since yesterday....and never once got stuck.

I've never owned a 4x4 truck in the 30+ years I've been driving. But I am a big believer in having the right tire in the snow. I've always bought 2 extra rims and mounted snow tires on them. This way I only have to have them on when I need them. The difference between a 2wd truck with snow tires and one with just all-season rubber is stark. If you own a 2wd truck and you get any kind of snow through the winter, it's worth the investment.

No, I was not stuck.


Firestone WinterForce tires in stock size. Yes, those are gen-1 rims.


In the Grocery's plowed parking lot.


This is what an undercarriage looks like after a 100 miles in a foot of snow!

 

I agree.

I have a 4x4, but I still run snow tires on it. Lots of people think because they have 4WD it's ridiculous to get snow tires. It's a night and day difference.

 

Couldn't agree more. I swear, I think I was the only 2wd truck that was actually out and moving around yesterday when the snow was really bad. Even saw a guy in a PreRunner in the parking lot at work who was stuck. He couldn't even get passed the small wall of snow created by the plows trying to keep the parking lot clear. I just popped right out of the hole I was sitting in. Yes, I stopped to ask if he needed help...but he said no. Of course he asked how I was moving around so easily. I said the tires.

 

With dedicated snows, I could get most places without 4WD. Just need a little more patience, a lighter foot, and maybe some weight in the bed. It's really just the hills or very deep snow that would be a problem, I think.

 

So glad I don't live up north...

 

Snow tires make all the difference.

I've had vehicles with and without them...main thing I appreciate about them is the stability and road holding capabilities. Not to discredit the braking and accelerating capabilities they offer, but oversteering and understeering control is the main selling point for my family and I

 

Absolutely. It would have been impossible for me to get around without them yesterday and today. 4-5 inches is no big deal on stock rubber....I do it all the time. But when the white stuff really piles up....forget it....the snows tires go on.

So many 2wd pickups in the parking lot at work yesterday that had to be left there. People were hitching rides with coworkers to get home. I even gave a ride to a friend who had to leave is Lexus IS right where he parked it that morning. It wouldn't even move an inch...LOL.

 

So you're only running them on the rear?

Even on 2wd they make a huge difference in the front as well. Steering and braking matter too

I've seen Miatas on proper winter tires only stopped by ground clearance. Which of course means about 6" of snow, but still.......... traction for driving, stopping and turning is where it's at.

 

The Michelin ms/2's I have probably are the closest to snow tires I've ever experienced

 

Where's the snow you're talking about?

 

On a front wheel drive vehicle...absolutely...4 snows, for sure. The difference in "bite" between the front and rear axles make for a very "tail-happy" vehicle. Never a good idea, but especially for the average person who has no clue about handling dynamics...or the laws-of-physics, for that matter.

While 4 may be ideal, even in a RWD vehicle, it's really not necessary in my case. Having them on the rear is all I need. It gives me the drive-traction that I need and it settles down the back of the truck considerably. "Push" (understeer) is basically nonexistent, as I don't put myself in situations and/or drive fast enough to cause any issues.

And that brings me to another important point. While I said, "it's all about the tires"...the truth is, it's also about commonsense too, with some experience thrown into the mix.....2 very underrated, but important things. I'd like to think that after 30+ years of driving I have both.

 

A Canadian joke, I'm guessing?