Best 2nd Gen Year(s)/Model for Snow?

+1 on the winter tires - it is a huge difference over an all season or mud and snow rated tire. My ex and I would always take my civic skiing when it was snowing because I had winters - not her 4x4 Ranger with A/T's!

 

Eyy nice, I also had a Civic. 2014 coupe and it was killer in the snow. Total blast to drive in the winter as well, didn't get stuck once and we routinely get 2-3 foot snow days up here.

 

Just sold my 2010 - never got stuck but did struggle in some unplowed parking lots. Loved passing trucks and SUV's on the highway during blizzards though.

 

Yep that’s a given.. thus the name “snow tires”

I think most here are part time snow goers who are just sharing experiences from their standpoint. Great info and reply, coulda done without the condescending portions but hey contributing is contributing I suppose!

EDIT; aw you’re a turd gen guy... I see..

 

CA counts "M+S" as snow tires for chain control purposes, and will let you through the check with M+S on all wheels WITH 4wd/AWD.

Unless it gets into "R3" conditions, where EVERYONE needs chains, regardless of winter tires/4wd. Usually they'll close the road before going into R3, and I've seen them do R3 once or twice in the 10 years I've been driving from SoCal to Mammoth and Lake Tahoe in the winters, both up the 5 and the 395.

 

Yeah I don’t think I’d even wanna be on the road if it got to the point that 4WD and winter rated tires would need chains. I think that’s a “roads are closed, stay where you’re at” situation, which you should always be prepared for when going to mountains in winter months.

Thanks for confirming

 

So there are checkpoints that inspect your tires in Cali? Man that's weird.

 

Yes sir, when road conditions have enough snow they set up checkpoints to help people put chains on and to verify your tires and 4x4 if possible.

It’s mostly because in Cali our snow issues are in the mountains so they can put checkpoints on either side for travelers who don’t live up there and deal with it. (Most of us)

I think of it in 3 stages:
1- snow on the road but not much so you’re good
2- snow on the road, regular cars need chains and 4x4 with winter or M+S tires are ok
3- all vehicles need chains, road is likely going to get closed.

 

I can see that being a useful service. An odd concept to a lifelong flatlander such as myself, but it makes sense.

 

Yeah it’s pretty cool actually.. workers there that will put chains on for like $20

Great service for women who aren’t familiar with that, or families and first timers.

 

Ah yes, and saying that isn't condescending I suppose

 

Taking a jab at a local TW joke is different from saying others don’t know shit and aren’t the least bit qualified to speak on something just because you have more experience.

...but yeah, you’re right for sure!

 

After all experience is what qualifies people. However you can keep crying about it if you'd like. I don't mind, everyone needs to let loose sometimes.

 

Yeah, you’re right. Let’s stop all constructive conversations and leave it only to the experts from now on.. you know those, already doing things. I’m sure things in our world would continue to progress at the same speed they are now.

I’ll never understand such an ignorant view point, so I’ll say have a good one and be thankful I don’t have to deal with you much.

 

35 years of driving in Maine winters. Not once have I run a dedicated winter/snow tire. For trucks, I always run a good AT tire with some extra weight in the bed over the axle (2 tube sands seems to do the trick). When I had a car, I ran an all season tire. I've never gone off the road and/or been stuck or slid out of control on snow/ice. Driving at the proper speed according to the conditions is key as well as maintaining a respectable distance from the vehicle in front of you.

 

20 years of driving in Michigan winters every year in a variety of vehicles/drivetrains. A good AT tire with a bit of weight in the back and some commons sense and you’ll be fine. That said, I’ve run Blizzaks in the winters on my last 2 vehicles and there is no comparison. Blizzaks feel like cheating, I didn’t even toss weight in my bed last year and never had issues hooking up. Once you have run dedicated snows you’ll never go back to AT’s again. Everyone warning you about the abs being a hazard is right though. Do yourself a favor and look up the abs kill switch mod(think it only works on the OR).

 

I live in Minnesota....90% of the time good tires is all you need. 9% of the time 4x4 and good tires. And once in 30 years I needed dif lock, 4x4, and good tires. Best to have and not need in my opinion

 

Rolled through 6 years with stock size BFG Commercial T/A Traction. They have been superb

 

I wouldn't worry about trim levels regarding snow traction. My 2015 DCLB came base and my primary use for this truck is accessing skiing in Alaska and Northern Canada. I drive terribly icy or snowy roads a lot, from Atigun Pass to Rogers Pass. Unplowed steep driveways often create the biggest challenges. You can upgrade things later (at least do the yellow wire mod) but money spent on tires (three-peak mountain snowflake, not AT), lights, good wipers and a set of chains will get you further in terrible conditions than any TRD buttons. I once drove a Prius down the haul road in a spring storm - would have been suicidal without fresh Blizzaks.