Snow? What's snow?....

A

AZ-2-ME

New member
Ok, go easy on me here. I moved from the desert and if I ever saw any snow it was to go skiing in the north country of AZ. What's the deal with snow tires? It sounds like the standard all season stockers that are on the 08 WRX won't cut it here in the great white north that is Maine.

Or will they?

I wanted to get some new rims anyways and thought about throwing some snow tires on to the stock rims and just keep them around for that reason only. Good idea? No?

So, do I need snow tires or not? If I do then I keep hearing good things about the blizzaks but I am open to suggestions.

Thanks for help on this one.
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You will be fine with the stockers, but you have to drive as if you were in snow. With snow tires, you get much better grip and don't have to be quite as careful, but you still won't be able to turn as well as on dry ground.

 
Good question! Here's the thing, subarus with all seasons tires and a good amount of tread will work 100% fine for daily winter driving. I live down a private dirt road that gets plowed when we get over 4-5" of the white stuff and have gone two winters on all season tires and haven't been stuck once. That being said, I did score some Michelin x-ice tires, used, here from a member and am looking forward to having them, mostly because its just more goodies for the car! I know that all seasons work great, but winter tires just give you that extra grab. I guess what I'm trying to say is, like most things we put on our cars, you don't need it, but its cool to have.
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i have new snow tires for this year...... but its not 100% needed. i spent last year on stock re-92's (mind you they were basically brand new), and the wifes lgt has all seasons on them and i like them quite a bit. she gets everywhere she needs to go no questions asked. awd makes up for lots of what your tires might lack.

ive been driving in the snow for years with different kinds of vehicles so i guess i know what to expect. if you're not confident, then snow tires are a GREAT choice. it also should be noted that if your stockers are more then half gone its a SUPER GREAT choice. there is all season tires.... then there are re92's. i wouldnt have run those tires again for a second winter. they got me through one. that was as far as they were going, they are just plain junk. but i wouldnt have had an issue running another good allseason. it actually was my plan till a sweet winter setup fell in my lap.

 
since i'm 16, this will be my first winter that i will be driving in by myself. my goodyear assurances say they are good for "light snow". now we all know here that there is no such thing as light snow in maine. i drive from lisbon falls to lewiston high school everyday so i am a little concerned about driving.

i do however feel confident driving with AWD but i don think that will be enough in some situations. so what im asking is should i get some snows?

 
Pretty much the same as stated before in the above posts. All seasons are good as long as they have a good amount of tread left...and your Forester has higher ground clearance than a WRX. I'm not a driving instructor, but the number one thing to keep in mind while driving in the winter, whether its during a storm or just on a normal winter day, is to give yourself extra time and think ahead about what you're going to do. Stopping, turning, accelerating...everything needs to be done deliberately...almost like when you very first got your license!

 
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very true! i would consider myself as a pretty safe driver
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i think i should be fine with the tires i have now but ill just have to take it easy and be cautious.

sorry to get OT!
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Yes get snow tires, such an improvement in the white stuff!

I reccomend "general altimax" snow tires. Tread compound and tread design is similar to a lor of the good snow tires out there, but the price is super good!!

 
any snow tire is a improvement over all season cause you never know when you will have to go out in the worst of maine winters

 
since i'm 16, this will be my first winter that i will be driving in by myself. my goodyear assurances say they are good for "light snow". now we all know here that there is no such thing as light snow in maine. i drive from lisbon falls to lewiston high school everyday so i am a little concerned about driving.
i do however feel confident driving with AWD but i don think that will be enough in some situations. so what im asking is should i get some snows?
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bahhhh you're fine man, I did that exact same drive for 2 years with a Honda Accord on garbage tires. You'll be all set.

 
i dont think its as bad as lots of people make it out to be.

my first vehicle was a 2wd toyota pickup. i never bought snow tires. all i could ever afford to do was buy new VIP special 4 tires for $99 every fall just before winter. i just planned on it. i loaded the back with sand pails and went for it. i loved on a dirt road on a hill too.

i think it all comes down to what you make if it. all seasons or not, anythign with awd will be light years ahead of what i drove around for three winters.

i was commuting to south portland for school from monmouth. and weekends up to the mountians for skiing.

 
Snow tires are the smart route to go. If you want performance snows go with Dunlap Winter sport M3s or imho Bridgestone Blizzacks for none performance snows. My kids with their fw drive cars and Blizzacks have no trouble with the snow where certain suv`s and a/s tires find themselves sliding off the road.

 
My only advice for snows really is, It's an Insurance Policy.. You might not really need it, but when you do, it's there....

I'd get snows for a Maine Winter. Seeing how it's going to be your first Real Winter, I would HIGHLY recommend it.. You can't rely on just the AWD to keep you and/or your family safe... that and I don't want you to be the A-hole who doesn't know how to drive in the snow/ice to hit me...

 
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