How many snow tires on a budget?

[geminisbro]

Hi all, I'm just wondering whether I really need 4 snow tires or just the rear ones. I can't really afford to get all 4, but I will if I have to. I live in Michigan, where, the winter before last, we got record snowfall! What would be the difference in handling?

Thank you!

[SVThis]

Not buying 4 would be like wearing a sandal on one foot and a snow boot on the other. Not a great idea

[Ragnar]

If you need snow tires, I think you could get a good deal this time of the year.

[arkentect]

As a fellow NorthEasterner.... Def get 4 snow tires, I lived in VT for 5 years and you wouldn't believe the difference having all 4 tires makes

[ChrisBlair]

Originally Posted by geminisbro

Hi all, I'm just wondering whether I really need 4 snow tires or just the rear ones. I can't really afford to get all 4, but I will if I have to. I live in Michigan, where, the winter before last, we got record snowfall! What would be the difference in handling?

Thank you!

Yes, you need all four.

Why? You want all four tires to have the same traction characteristics. If somebody tells you "your front wheel aren't drive wheels so that doesn't matter" thank them for letting you know that they are an idiot. You also need to stop and turn. To stop, the front tires need to contact the road. To turn, the front tires need to contact the road. If you need rear snow tirres you need front snow tires.

Questions? OK good. It's May. Save your dough and get four real snow tires.

[shibbs]

Where you located?

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by ChrisBlair

Yes, you need all four.

Why? You want all four tires to have the same traction characteristics. If somebody tells you "your front wheel aren't drive wheels so that doesn't matter" thank them for letting you know that they are an idiot. You also need to stop and turn. To stop, the front tires need to contact the road. To turn, the front tires need to contact the road. If you need rear snow tirres you need front snow tires.

Questions? OK good. It's May. Save your dough and get four real snow tires.

Which is why I always recommend getting front tires at the absolute minimum, regardless of the drive configuration of the car. Stopping and turning are substantially more important than accelerating in poor weather. I tend to think in terms of worst case scenarios. If you have poor traction to accelerate, you can't get going and perhaps miss a day of work. That is quite bad. On the other hand, if you can't turn or stop there's a reasonable chance that you'll plow into something (doubly so if you can get up to speed quickly due to rear snow tires) when you're driving. Chances are, that repair bill (and increased insurance rate) will cost more than a day's wage.

But that said, 4 tires is the only real option. Having winter tires up front with summers or all seasons in the back will alter the handling characteristics of your car -and in an emergency situation, you're going to want predictable handling. Buy 2 tires only if there is absolutely no possible way that you can afford 4. If its just to save a few bucks, it probably isn't worth it.



And moved to Wheels & Tires

[geminisbro]

Thanks all, I'll get all four- much appreciated!!!

[itsnotacrisis]

In the interest of not hurting your budget too much, you may want to consider buying a used set. While there's all sorts of listings and places you can look (Craig's List, EBay, other forums, etc, etc), I believe I saw a few listing recently here on C5?
Personally I got a complete set of Winter wheels (tires/rims/TPMS). That way I can switch them myself in the driveway, and I don't risk marring my rims by mounting and unmounting tires twice a year. Just a suggestion.

[itsnotacrisis]

Just one example:
If this person still has the wheels, and you could talk them into shipping, it sounds like a great deal.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...ghlight=winter

[LStick]

Originally Posted by itsnotacrisis

Just one example:
If this person still has the wheels, and you could talk them into shipping, it sounds like a great deal.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...ghlight=winter

I was going to suggest this ,

The guy's moving from New England to LosAngeles. Michigan COULD be a pit stop.