Educate a first time snow driver
12-03-2018, 07:25 AM
#11
I'm honestly still surprised I'm the ony one thats mentioned black ice.. lol
12-03-2018, 07:28 AM
#12
Thread Starter
Location is Detroit, MI. House will most likely be in the suburbs or outskirts of the city. Work is right off the highway.
It was actually snowing when I went for my interview and had no problems with my rental Sentra, although it wasn't very deep.
Also, I have driven in the snow before as I go snowboarding twice a year, but it was always with an AWD.
It was actually snowing when I went for my interview and had no problems with my rental Sentra, although it wasn't very deep.
Also, I have driven in the snow before as I go snowboarding twice a year, but it was always with an AWD.
Last edited by roel03; 12-03-2018 at 07:30 AM.
12-03-2018, 07:34 AM
#13
Winter tires, EVEN if it doesn't know, if your temperature approaches 40's F and below, you need winter tires.
All-Season/Summer tires don't work as the temperature approaches low 40's F.
All-Season/Summer tires don't work as the temperature approaches low 40's F.
12-03-2018, 07:37 AM
#14
engifineer—-I see you’re up in MN—-I’d very likely be running snows if I lived that far north as well!
we get a lot of snow here but it comes in separate distinct snowfalls and they clear the roads quickly and we have frequent periods above freezing so all seasons work well here. As I mentioned, I can count on one hand the times the snow was so heavy I waited til the roads were clear before I ventured out.
But I grew up in the mountains of West Virginia and learned to drive in the snow on winding country roads so driving up here (where it snows more but the roads are mainly flat and level) is a piece of cake.
thanks
we get a lot of snow here but it comes in separate distinct snowfalls and they clear the roads quickly and we have frequent periods above freezing so all seasons work well here. As I mentioned, I can count on one hand the times the snow was so heavy I waited til the roads were clear before I ventured out.
But I grew up in the mountains of West Virginia and learned to drive in the snow on winding country roads so driving up here (where it snows more but the roads are mainly flat and level) is a piece of cake.
thanks
12-03-2018, 07:45 AM
#15
OP—-Detroit has snow an average of 36 days a year with an average annual total of 42 inches. That means most snowfalls are a couple of inches at most (with the occasional “big one”!)
one option is to put snows on one car and see how your first winter goes—-you might have to share the car with your spouse the two or three days a year it snows heavily but the roads will be cleared of snow in a day or two at most.
then if you find you prefer the snow tires, you can always put them on your other car.
(if you go this route, definitely put all seasons rather than summer tires on your other car—-even if you buy them locally, check out Tire Rack’s customer reviews on tires that fit your car—theres lots of all seasons with 8.5+ snow traction ratings from consumers who live and drive in the north)
one option is to put snows on one car and see how your first winter goes—-you might have to share the car with your spouse the two or three days a year it snows heavily but the roads will be cleared of snow in a day or two at most.
then if you find you prefer the snow tires, you can always put them on your other car.
(if you go this route, definitely put all seasons rather than summer tires on your other car—-even if you buy them locally, check out Tire Rack’s customer reviews on tires that fit your car—theres lots of all seasons with 8.5+ snow traction ratings from consumers who live and drive in the north)
12-03-2018, 07:59 AM
#16
Site Moderator
OP—-Detroit has snow an average of 36 days a year with an average annual total of 42 inches. That means most snowfalls are a couple of inches at most (with the occasional “big one”!)
one option is to put snows on one car and see how your first winter goes—-you might have to share the car with your spouse the two or three days a year it snows heavily but the roads will be cleared of snow in a day or two at most.
then if you find you prefer the snow tires, you can always put them on your other car.
one option is to put snows on one car and see how your first winter goes—-you might have to share the car with your spouse the two or three days a year it snows heavily but the roads will be cleared of snow in a day or two at most.
then if you find you prefer the snow tires, you can always put them on your other car.
We'll usually get 2-3 decent snows during the season, those can be anywhere from 4-10 inches, but they aren't common. 2-3" is typical.
12-03-2018, 08:10 AM
#17
Location is Detroit, MI. House will most likely be in the suburbs or outskirts of the city. Work is right off the highway.
It was actually snowing when I went for my interview and had no problems with my rental Sentra, although it wasn't very deep.
Also, I have driven in the snow before as I go snowboarding twice a year, but it was always with an AWD.
It was actually snowing when I went for my interview and had no problems with my rental Sentra, although it wasn't very deep.
Also, I have driven in the snow before as I go snowboarding twice a year, but it was always with an AWD.
I made it through my first six winters on all-seasons. I never had an accident. That said, the time it took me 25 minutes to escape my work parking lot & another 45 to make my five mile commute home made me want snow tires.
The two winters since have been trouble free.
That said, I wouldn't bother with Blizzaks, the WS80 have not impressed me at all.
12-03-2018, 08:30 AM
#18
I live in Milwaukee. We get very similar amounts of snow and face very similar temperatures.
I made it through my first six winters on all-seasons. I never had an accident. That said, the time it took me 25 minutes to escape my work parking lot & another 45 to make my five mile commute home made me want snow tires.
The two winters since have been trouble free.
That said, I wouldn't bother with Blizzaks, the WS80 have not impressed me at all.
I made it through my first six winters on all-seasons. I never had an accident. That said, the time it took me 25 minutes to escape my work parking lot & another 45 to make my five mile commute home made me want snow tires.
The two winters since have been trouble free.
That said, I wouldn't bother with Blizzaks, the WS80 have not impressed me at all.
I have pushed snow with the bumper of our 2013 Tacoma on Blizzaks and hardly slipped a tire. I am sold on them!
I hear the General winters are pretty good as well and are more affordable.
Basically, any decent winter tire is going to be better than most any all season once you are in full fledged winter. I would definitely consider them moving to Detroit. Like I said, most good drivers can do ok without them, but you will be happier with them, especially when a yayhoo spins out in front of you and you need to stop quickly
12-03-2018, 08:32 AM
#19
engifineer—-I see you’re up in MN—-I’d very likely be running snows if I lived that far north as well!
we get a lot of snow here but it comes in separate distinct snowfalls and they clear the roads quickly and we have frequent periods above freezing so all seasons work well here. As I mentioned, I can count on one hand the times the snow was so heavy I waited til the roads were clear before I ventured out.
But I grew up in the mountains of West Virginia and learned to drive in the snow on winding country roads so driving up here (where it snows more but the roads are mainly flat and level) is a piece of cake.
thanks
we get a lot of snow here but it comes in separate distinct snowfalls and they clear the roads quickly and we have frequent periods above freezing so all seasons work well here. As I mentioned, I can count on one hand the times the snow was so heavy I waited til the roads were clear before I ventured out.
But I grew up in the mountains of West Virginia and learned to drive in the snow on winding country roads so driving up here (where it snows more but the roads are mainly flat and level) is a piece of cake.
thanks
12-03-2018, 08:52 AM
#20
I've driven millions of miles in snow, typical grippy wet snow isn't too bad in our region, I'm about 2 hours from Detroit though I often work weekly across the border in Windsor with a highway commute. The only thing that scares the crap out of me is black ice, and rwd can send you spinning donuts if you hit black ice. I would recommend snow tires and dedicated rims for the rwd car, and keep them on all winter don't take them off just because of a warm day. Put them on in December and take them off in April., when temps are higher than 45 degrees F.
The Corolla will drive like a tank through snow, FWD works quite well in snow conditions.
When you get up to the region take the car out in an empty parking lot on a snowy day and get a feel for how it handles in the snow. But nothing can prepare you for black ice hopefully you don't ever encounter it, it often forms on bridges and poorly drained roads, but some weather conditions can make it widespread, such as freezing rain storms. Watch your speed.
The Corolla will drive like a tank through snow, FWD works quite well in snow conditions.
When you get up to the region take the car out in an empty parking lot on a snowy day and get a feel for how it handles in the snow. But nothing can prepare you for black ice hopefully you don't ever encounter it, it often forms on bridges and poorly drained roads, but some weather conditions can make it widespread, such as freezing rain storms. Watch your speed.