carolyn_vdv

Ahem - Here we go again

When do people put on winter tyres, and do they make a difference?

Novocastrian

I don't know about Calgary. But here, never and no.

<as you said, here we go again, you should ask about block heaters too>

Piff Poff

Hi, You should be OK with all seasons, that's all we've ever had and snow stays for longer in Red Deer than in Calgary. I would think late October should be good for putting them on if you haven't already got them for your car. Bear in mind the garages get booked up quick as soon as we get proper snow - the stuff we had Wednesday morning wasn't enough.

carolyn_vdv

Yeah, what's that all about?

bats

End of October and yes they do.

Hawk13

Be careful with all seasons as they need to have the snowflake symbol on the tire. If you're travelling on a road that states "carry chains or snow tires" you'll get fined and your insurance won't cover any damages if your in an accident if your tires don't have the snowflake.

And Yes they do check - at least here in BC they do.

Almost Canadian

The City does quite a poor job of clearing snow and ice, it relies way too much on Chinooks to do the work for it.

We bought winter tires and, after using them, would never go back to all seasons.

We put ours on once the temperature drops below 5 degrees and take them off when it rises above that in the spring.

haggis88

i just got a quote for winters to be fitted to my Ridgeline....

$1032+tax from a Honda dealer, which is turning out to be one of the cheaper places to get it done!

mandymoochops

thats a good deal on a truck - what brand?

haggis88

Michelin Lattitude Xi2's or something!

i think i'd be better doing it at Honda, as the valves have pressure sensors in them, and i think one of those Indy fast fit places might make an arse of it!

Novocastrian

Kudos for a very rare correct spelling on this forum of the phrase "bear in mind". It pisses me off no end when idiots say "bare in mind".

PMM

Hi


Ask them if the price includes the Tire pressure monitor ($70 each) or you will be looking at the TPSM light all winter.

haggis88

thanks dude, i'll double check that!

i'm already looking at it cos i've got a nail in one of my tires haha

Tony_Tiger

People put them on around mid to late October. Yes they do make a big difference.

Ive driven in the snow in a 4x4 with all seasons and I disliked it. I personally find them a gimmick. However, I know people who are fine with them.
I had winters on my little Golf and it was great, made a HUGE difference. Im getting winters put on my Honda CRV next week.

PzFus

Yes they really do make a difference, especially when the crud left behind by salting and ploughing re-freezes on roads that aren't being constantly ploughed.

All seasons work OK when the snow just turns to slush, but you will only need 1 slide into a crash barrier or ditch to realise that all seasons just aren't.

Most people here where we are, have their winters on a separate set of wheels - the outlay needn't be that much as they are steel rims not alloys, and that also means that you don't have to pay for fitting the winter tyres onto your everyday rims. Look on Kijiji for your car/tyre size, as people who have sold cars during the summer often for some reason hold on to their winter wheels/tyres and then sell them on now. You will also see studded tyres - they work very well especially on ice but are more expensive.

I hope this helps and safe driving!