Do I Need Winter Tires?
#31
I hate driving on winter/snow tires as the tread design dulls handling and steering feedback. Regardless of what tires I'm using when it's cold (and dry) outside, I accept the fact that I'll have to drive more conservatively either with summer tires or sloppy handling winter tires.
#32
I hate driving on winter/snow tires as the tread design dulls handling and steering feedback. Regardless of what tires I'm using when it's cold (and dry) outside, I accept the fact that I'll have to drive more conservatively either with summer tires or sloppy handling winter tires.
#33
Hi Mark S… I live close to you in Sedona and often visit Prescott (via Jerome) over the Mingus mountain in all temperatures - on my summer tires with no problems. Those switch backs are great 911 territory! Probably most here don’t realize that those colder temperatures are only overnight but it quickly heats up in direct sun in the day, especially at this altitude with the clear skies we have. If you are regularly driving at 4.00am in the depth of winter then maybe winters might be a consideration, but my car and yours is usually in a garage then. Even when it snows it evaporates quickly. You don’ t need them.
What we usually need to look out for are shadowed areas where overnight ice can remain though it will be bone dry in direct sunlight and above 40 degrees.. but you anticipate that and drive accordingly.
What we usually need to look out for are shadowed areas where overnight ice can remain though it will be bone dry in direct sunlight and above 40 degrees.. but you anticipate that and drive accordingly.
#34
Winter tires are a lot cheaper than a wreck.
I live in Show Low and I do run winter tires and rims, I change them beginning of Dec, and will probably put summers back on in Feb. I don't drive crazy, but I do get pretty zippy. I run all over, through Payson, Flag, Alpine, NM, etc. Usually, I'll go for a 200 to 300 mile drive. Conditions here in the high country are pretty varied. I've been in nice clear 30's here in Show Low and run into pouring rain in Flag/Sedona/Payson, you never know what the weather will be until you get there. Winters work just fine (Continental's). I'm not racing on the streets, I've been over Mingus, and the tires weren't an issue, traffic was. They've been north of 120 and appear to be wearing just fine. I've driven to/in Phoenix with them, they work just like tires should.
Personally, I don't want to find out the temp at which summers fail, nor do I want to find out how summer tires work going around corners with snow/ice in the shadows. I like this car a lot, I want to keep it original and working. Winter tires/rims are cheap compared to a wreck. Why chance it? Buy a set of winters, run them for a couple of months, don't fret the temps, enjoy the season, and change them when it warms up. Getting caught out at night, or in rain/snow won't be a (tire) problem. Save the worry for something else.
I live in Show Low and I do run winter tires and rims, I change them beginning of Dec, and will probably put summers back on in Feb. I don't drive crazy, but I do get pretty zippy. I run all over, through Payson, Flag, Alpine, NM, etc. Usually, I'll go for a 200 to 300 mile drive. Conditions here in the high country are pretty varied. I've been in nice clear 30's here in Show Low and run into pouring rain in Flag/Sedona/Payson, you never know what the weather will be until you get there. Winters work just fine (Continental's). I'm not racing on the streets, I've been over Mingus, and the tires weren't an issue, traffic was. They've been north of 120 and appear to be wearing just fine. I've driven to/in Phoenix with them, they work just like tires should.
Personally, I don't want to find out the temp at which summers fail, nor do I want to find out how summer tires work going around corners with snow/ice in the shadows. I like this car a lot, I want to keep it original and working. Winter tires/rims are cheap compared to a wreck. Why chance it? Buy a set of winters, run them for a couple of months, don't fret the temps, enjoy the season, and change them when it warms up. Getting caught out at night, or in rain/snow won't be a (tire) problem. Save the worry for something else.
#35