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Below is typical winter weather where I live. I rarely leave the house before 10:00. We have about 10 days a year of more severe weather but will just leave car in garage those days. Do I need winter tires?
edit: agree with above post, as long as you're aware that it's cold and adjust your driving accordingly, I see no issues. I will also point out that cold + rain is even more alarming (cold is relative; really anything below 65 degrees and wet stay alert).
Definitely not justified with winter tires with that type of forecast though...
Some may suggest that driving below freezing temps can damage your tires, and that may scientifically be true. But to mine and many others experience, it isn't impactful enough to justify buying and switching to a whole different compound. If it does bother you, there are some very good performance all seasons you could use year round, and you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference vs summer tires even driven aggressively in warm weather. Sizes may be tough to find though.
My .02.
Last edited by manifold danger; 01-10-2022 at 12:25 PM.
Hmmm. That might depend on what you run now, but I generally agree with the majority conclusion that in Prescott, AZ, you don't need them. Now, are you on Summer Tires currently, or All Seasons? Here's why I ask, Summer Tires, in particular, suffer from a "glass transition". Details here: https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiret...jsp?techid=273
Basically, at certain temperatures, the tire will rapidly loose their performance characteristics and become dangerous. If you're already on All Seasons, you're likely totally fine - even with the few cold days you'll have. However, if you're on Summer Tires the car could become really unwieldy on those colder days.
Definitely a good idea. That link I supplied doesn't seem to work. Not sure why. Maybe try this one: https://arstechnica.com/features/201...l-about-tires/
If All Seasons start to fail ~45 degrees, then Summer's probably fail at even higher temps. So the SUV seems the best route in colder temps.
Your cars, your decisions. I was just trying to point out the technical factor that was worth being aware of if not previously known. Glass transition is real, but there can be debate about what temps it occurs at and on which models of tires. Lots of variables. Few absolutes.
Your cars, your decisions. I was just trying to point out the technical factor that was worth being aware of if not previously known. Glass transition is real, but there can be debate about what temps it occurs at and on which models of tires. Lots of variables. Few absolutes.
Yes, brand are different, but this is also not a "do what you feel, feel the flow" kind of thing.
All season tires don't fail at 45 degrees because you feel like saying that they do. They are called "All season tires" for a reason. I have All season tires on my BMW and have been driving in single digit F weather, no problem. Do you drive in single digit F weather?
Summer tires are the ones that fail at lower temps, NOT All seasons. Two different things.
I live in East Tennessee and I do NOT use summer tires during the winter, why? Because I only drive on days when the temperature gets above 40 degrees which is almost always after lunch. If its close to 40 I drive very sensible, basically just driving it to keep battery charged, parts lubricated, etc. If it gets above 50 in the afternoons, I may have a little more fun but I definitely don't drive it like I do in the late Spring / Summer / early Fall.
You will develop a feel for it fairly quickly but your tires definitely effect your cornering and braking characteristics when it's that cold so drive sensibly and you will be just fine.
Yes, brand are different, but this is also not a "do what you feel, feel the flow" kind of thing.
All season tires don't fail at 45 degrees because you feel like saying that they do. They are called "All season tires" for a reason. I have All season tires on my BMW and have been driving in single digit F weather, no problem. Do you drive in single digit F weather?
Summer tires are the ones that fail at lower temps, NOT All seasons. Two different things.
@Tupper I'm really not trying to pick a fight here. I, personally, am not saying that "All All Season tires fail at 45 degrees". I do not believe that to be true, nor would I pretend to know enough to state where that transition happens with which particular tires or at which temperatures. I'm just trying to present the OP with information about the concept that different types of tires diminish their effectiveness at different temperatures. Not challenge or debate with you.
01-10-2022, 11:30 AM
Do I Need Winter Tires?
