Winter driving newbie...help!

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Oct 5, 2000 | 07:53 AM

WarrenY

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Winter driving newbie...help!

I'm thinking about taking a drive from the CA SF bay area to Denver this winter, and don't want to do it on my RE71s. I've not driven on snow or ice before, and assume it'll be snowing in Denver. I'm considering the purchase of a set of all seasons for this trip but would snow tires be a better buy? In either case, anyone have a set of (preferably cheap) tires they can recommend? I don't go up to the snow often, so I'd prefer to stay away from snow tires if possible, and I don't really have any other need for all seasons, so I'd like to stay cheap.

Thanks,

Warren

Oct 5, 2000 | 08:31 AM

M.S.G.

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From: S.E. Michigan

Since it's only a single trip you can get away with all seasons in the new condition.

All seasons do OK when they are brand new. There will likely be a lot of snow, but they generally keep the roads in good shape. What would you really do with a set of snow tires in SF?

Oct 5, 2000 | 08:31 AM

Reggie3

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Dunlop SP5000 seem to be the all season people like here

Allseasons are not as good a snow tires. If you do not plan to drive when it is bad then all seasons will work. If you must drive in bad weather then snows are a must.

Reggie

98.5 2.8QMS

Oct 5, 2000 | 09:33 AM

Pat

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I live in Denver and.....

the roads are usually dry here in the winter. It's another story altogether if you plan on going into the mountains. I ski most weekends, therefore I got a set of LM22s. However, if I didn't drive in the hills so much, I'd stick with the all-season rubber. Originally I'm from Iowa and winters there are many times colder and snowier (is that even a word?) than Denver. We usually get one or two good snows per year here in town. If it does snow a couple inches it'll probably melt in a day, anyway.

Oct 5, 2000 | 12:46 PM

DMoore

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You need good tires more than most...

You'll hit snow long before Denver. You'll be crossing the Sierras and the Rockies, and you're quite likely to get stormed upon. (Unless you're exempt from Murphy's Law.)

You said you're new to driving in snow and ice. That means you need good snow tires even more than someone who's experienced in the stuff. I've been driving in snow for 30 years, and still insist on good snow tires. But in a pinch, I've got that experience to draw on.

You don't have that background. I'd suggest either a) get a good set of snow tires; b) postpone your trip until summer, or c) fly. You're looking for trouble if you skimp on tires and drive. I wouldn't do that.

Even with good snow tires, you may need chains. R-3 conditions in California mandate that ALL vehicles must have chains, even if they're 4wd with snow tires. In R-1 (snow tires OK) or R-2 (snow tires OK on 4wd) you are still required to carry chains. They can, and sometimes do, make you open your trunk and show them your chains.

Winter driving isn't impossible, and it can even be fun. But you MUST have appropriate tires. Otherwise, you're putting yourself and everyone on the road at risk.

DMoore
'00 S4

Oct 5, 2000 | 01:55 PM

Pat

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OK, I'm an idiot.....

I'm so used to coming from the east and not crossing any mountains I forgot you're going to drive through it all. Go snows or new all-seasons.

Oct 6, 2000 | 05:00 PM

Pete RD

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EXCELLENT ADVICE!!!

Please pardon my shouting, but EVERYTHING DMoore said is absolutely true.

Our local chapter of the Quattro club has a winter driving event that is modeled after Audi's winter driving school and the Ford/Bridgestone winter driving school at Steamboat, Colorado. Participants learned right away that proper TIRES are the real truth here, NOT quattro. I've watched A4Q's with all-season tires that could not get enough grip to participate in the driving exercises. On a very slight up-hill slope, all four spun, but the car did not move. My identical car would throw up four rooster-tails of snow as it accellerated away on it's winter tires.

I'll stop preaching now, but I hope you take DMoore's words to heart, or at least a winter driving school.

HTH