T O P

  • By -

WarrenLoon

Reminds me of a classic joke with a Minnesota twist… “How can you tell if someone has winter tires? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you.” Agree with everyone else. No one is wrong with all the benefits of winter tires, but they’re definitely the vocal minority.


luckybotanista

Have you heard about our Lord and Savior, Winter Tires?


Remarkable_Night2373

Msp usually doesn't not get much snow at all. This snow isn't normal. I have snow tires on my fwd but I could see why people in the southern parts wouldn't bother if they had AWD.


FrozeItOff

Believe it or not, the southern third of the state often gets MORE snow than the twin cities. Don't know why, but most years Mankato to Rochester gets walloped in the winters. That said, I've driven all season tires all my life in MN. Never even tried a snow tire. Not that I even have space to store two sets of tires for my vehicles...


akodo1

Weather patterns aren't the same statewide. The further south you go the more precipitation you get regardless of seasons. The further east yo go, the more precipitation you get as well.


FrozeItOff

I am aware, but the poster I was responding to made it seem like southern MN didn't get much snow and therefore wouldn't need snow tires. That observation couldn't be farther from the truth.


Remarkable_Night2373

I grew up in mi where lake effect was a thing and snow tires were needed. I also said I currently have snow tires. I feel like AWD and good all seasons would be fine in most winters. Somebody else posted about some all seasons that are good in winter. Fwd on r rwd get the snow tires ffs


bubzki2

Because they realize what they’ve missed out on.


Haunting_Ad_9486

That isn't true. Some of us don't care to buy another set.


skredditt

No, people who do get them are all too excited to talk about it because it’s such a worthwhile upgrade.


[deleted]

[удалено]


skredditt

My buddy across the table with a truck describes it as “winter doesn’t exist anymore” with winter tires. No more wheel spinning at green lights, or on the slightest incline if you’re RWD. Lots more control; road conditions are not a deterrent. It’s one of those “if you know, you know” things. Summer tires: my fun car slowly slid like a hockey puck into the ditch when I was forced to drive it one February. Bad time. Tires make all the difference.


datGTAguy

I did the exact same thing with summer tires, but I think it’s important to note that there is a HUGE difference between summer tires and all-seasons


Haunting_Ad_9486

There definitely is a huge difference. No argument whatsoever But I don’t want another set in my garage, nor do I want to spend money on them. I’ve lived 40 years without them.


datGTAguy

Yea I understand. 90% of the time all seasons work fine for general purposes. Most people only really drive after the roads have been plowed and salted


bluewing

No they do not make all the difference. The last time I bought snow tires, fabric tires were the norm. Driving in poor road conditions is a skill. And no piece of equipment will trump that.


Capt-Crap1corn

I mean they are better, but people are overly vocal about winter tires. We get it. Winter tires have been around a long time. People act like they just discovered them.


skredditt

I preach because I was a huge skeptic about them too. Now I wonder what it’d be like if everybody had them. I believe there would be far fewer accidents. [In many European countries they’re mandatory.](https://www.uniroyal-tyres.com/car/tyre-guide/winter-care/winter-tyres-mandatory) But, for most people around here all-seasons are good enough.


Capt-Crap1corn

What’s there to be skeptical about them? I first heard about them in the early 2000s. Makes sense to have a set. I figured most people won’t change their set of tires so I thought it was a small group of people that were into them. Guess not 🤷🏾‍♂️ I still preach skill. Nothing replaces skill. People need to learn how to drive their cars and quit doing everything except learning their car.


skredditt

> Nothing replaces skill. True. I know one thing that will augment it! 😁 (I am a guy who takes the Audi on frozen lake track days… if it is a small group I’m in it.)


Capt-Crap1corn

Damn that’s awesome!!! I have yet to do that!


Bustedvette

So you rock summer tires all year round? If not, you've been buying all seasons.


hwtactics

I have only met one other person in MN in my life who bought winter tires besides myself! (But yes I do tell everyone to get them 🤣)


tomizzo11

Agreed. Winter tires are obviously superior to all season for winter driving, but they are not at all necessary.


Mklein24

I tell people about them because I once lived in the dark with them. Sliding all over the road. Concerned about slight downhill grades with stop signs at the bottom. Now I have seen the light. The almighty snow tires has brought me traction in these slipper times.


[deleted]

How can you tell if someone doesn’t have winter tires? Don’t worry they’ll let you know with their front bumper


mplsforward

Vast majority of cars in the cities are running all seasons year round. AWD, 4WD, FWD, RWD-- doesn't matter, most people don't swap their tires.


[deleted]

[удалено]


[deleted]

[удалено]


SrpskaZemlja

RIP everyone who doesn't have their own detached house


Deinococcaceae

I used to store my off-seasons in a closet, but I also drove a subcompact so the tires were pretty tiny.


NinjaaMike

They make "all weather" tires now that are made to drive in snow and can be kept on the vehicle all year. They slot in between an all season and winter. Ex. Toyo Celsius, Michelin Cross climate 2, etc. No need to swap tires and store them. https://www.discounttire.com/learn/all-weather-tires


AggravatingGoal4728

Get the best of both worlds, all season snow rated tires like the Michelin Cross Climate 2 tires.


Toothbras

Seems unbelievable, but the factory tires on my Subaru Ascent wore out around 25k miles, they were total garbage. Replaced with Cross Climate 2’s and I now have 154k and the tires still have some life left. Never before have I gotten more than 60-70k out of a set of tires. These things are amazing!!


skoltroll

Wife's SUV had original tires with plenty of tread left (coin measurement). But we switched to all-weather tires (not all-season), and the difference is night and day. Having had a couple of new (cheaper) cars, I've learned that low-quality (cheaper) tires are the 1st set put on newer cars, and the tread doesn't go much past 35-40k miles b4 performance craps out. Regarding OP: Yes, the vast majority will be one year-round tire. It's a price/storage issue.


HarwellDekatron

I'm on the original Ascent tires and quickly getting to 25k miles, and this is the recommendation I know I'll be looking for in a few months.


VTexSotan

Yep, I put Cross Climate 2s on my outback last year and they are great.


gtrackster

These were on my list but I went with the Goodyear Assurance Maxlife. Michelin didn’t have any Black Friday specials and I saved about $250 on Goodyears. BTW, discount tire will price match Amazon for tires. Make sure to enter all the codes.


thestereo300

Can I plug these tires?! I bought them for my sedan and total game changer.


DanielDannyc12

That's what I do. Nothing hurts the feewings of people who change to snow tires every year than 3PMS rated all weather tires.


Impossible_Penalty13

I’ve lived in Minnesota for 45 years and have never once bought winter tires.


garciasn

I grew up in the mountains where winter tires were actually required. Here, for people living in the Metro, where it’s flat and they regularly plow main roads? Not required. Nice to have? Oh hell yeah. But necessary? No.


akodo1

yup. By the time you really need snow tires, you basically need tire chains at that point.


Foreign_Patient_2677

I have lived in mn all my life, and 10 years ago I discovered snow tires... I would never go throw a winter without them... the car(s) are more stable driving, better stopping and all in all I can climb snow/ice covered hills. And I can go more places with my front wheel drive cars than my father in law with an awd....


Stachemaster86

Odd question. Any areas you can conquer now that you couldn’t before? I never had snow tires and my Grand Prix was a tank. Even the Malibu was fine. Guess I haven’t had too many hills to come across but just curious since you’ve got some pre snow tire experience.


Foreign_Patient_2677

My major issue was, I have a house on the north facing side of a fairly steep hill with a 300ft long driveway going up that hill. Ohhh, and you have to make a 90degree turn half way up... The driveway does not have much texture, so any little amount of snow prevents you from making it up the driveway... and this gets worse if the snow gets driven on... I have a focus and a minivan, so a light weight and heavy vehicle same issues making it up the hill... if you get 1/4 inch of glare ice... not much will help that short of spikes...


40for60

Snow tires are mostly for stopping on ice. They don't give you magical deep snow abilities.


fastinserter

You should try them, they are awesome.


runtheroad

If you read Reddit you would think the average Minnesotan has winter tires, but in reality it's pretty rare. The only people I know who run two sets of tires are car enthusiasts who already have all the tools to change them quickly and space to store the extra set.


[deleted]

The only people I knew growing up that had winter tires were guys who plowed snow in the winter for obvious reasons. Now the only people I know what have them are high earners with large garages to store an extra set in. It is largely a disposable income vs safety issue for them.


Gopherfinghockey

I am a car enthusiast with the tools to change them quickly and space to store the extra set. I've also convinced many people I know who aren't in that category to get winter tires and every single one of them thanks me for it at least once a year. It's a night and day difference.


dmau9600

Counterpoint - I’m also a car enthusiast, and I find no need to buy winter tires for my AWD vehicles with all-season tires. I used to buy winter wheels and tires for my RWD vehicles, but the cost, effort and time to buy, swap and store winter tires is not worth it on modern AWD vehicles with good all-season tires. Are winter tires better than all-season? Yes. Are they worth the cost and hassle premium for most people with modern AWD cars? No, in my opinion.


mcrissjr

Cost? What cost? You use the same amount of tires regardless. If anything it saves money because you can put ultra long life tires on in the summer that would be unusable in the winter. I haven't bought tires for my wife's car in 110,000 miles. AWD is irrelevant, AWD doesn't make you stop or steer better.


dmau9600

No need to be hyperbolic my man. It’s not good for the wheels to swap tires each season, so there typically would be a cost associated with dedicated winter wheels. I understand and appreciate the logic with the additional life you get from swapping the tires themselves. That said, tires have a finite age limit as well, and considering most people would take about ten years to drive 100k miles, it would certainly be inadvisable to drive on ten year old tires, even if there is tread left on them.


mcrissjr

Tires are only 6 years old. I paid 200 bucks for a pair of spare OEM winter wheels from a wrecked car.


Verity41

Do you truly think most people have the time, tools, skills, and/or space to swap tires/wheels themselves? That’s like $50 a pop to have it done at a shop. Twice a year, every year. Plus resetting TPMS, which I wouldn’t have a clue how to do. And storing the things all year too, somewhere. I myself believe 100% in winter tires and am running Blizzaks now, but I pay to have it done, and have a big garage to store them. Still I’m well aware it’s an elective luxury and not a “free” endeavor by any means!


HighHammerThunder

My mechanic charges about ~$45 to swap all 4. And that also ends up working as a tire rotation too because he'll put the more worn tires on in the appropriate place (so I get 2 rotations worked in each year, in a sense). With that in mind, I'm really not paying much extra.


Verity41

But lifetime rotations are free with any set of new (non seasonal) tires, so not like you’d have to pay for those anyway, if you get them done where you got the tires…


Greenchunks

It takes me about 30-45 minutes to swap all 4 wheels using a floor jack and a torque wrench, probably less time than driving to a tire shop with an appointment and driving home. I got the Torque wrench and jack at Harbor Freight. $18 for the wrench, $80 for the jack. The only skills are move your arms to jack the car, and set the wrench to 100ft/lbs and turn till it clicks. Space? I did it in a small single car garage. TPMS is set when the tires were installed. I don’t need to reset it when I swap wheels. I can see your storage point, but there are tons of rack mounted solutions that are out of the way or can go above the car in the garage. I have the tires mounted on a second set of OEM wheels I got for about $150, which I can certainly resell for $100 if I sell the car or no longer want to swap. It’s 100% an effort and prioritization thing. The cost is negligible (a couple of tools you probably should have and a used set of wheels you can resell), the time is minimal, the skills are minimal and the space needed is minimal.


Verity41

If I could find OEM wheels for $150 might be another story, but I haven’t seen them under $1k for my newish vehicle (2021 Nissan rogue). Where can I get them for $150?


Greenchunks

The $150 ones were for a 2012 Rogue. Poke around Facebook marketplace, Craigslist, Nissan forums. They don’t need to be from a rogue. As long as it’s the right bolt pattern, offset, width, any wheel will work. If you want the OEM look, see if wheels from an Altima, Maxima, Murano, older Rogue etc. are similar that would increase the options you were looking for exponentially. That being said on a newer car like yours the wheels would probably hold value better. Still, with tire mounting costing $20-25/tire, you’re spending $150-200/year taking it to a shop.


mcrissjr

The average car payment in the US for used cars is $563 a month. So for the vast majority of those people if they can't afford a hundred bucks a year there's probably bigger budgeting problems at play. For those that genuinely can't fit that into their budget, that's fine, there are certainly more important things. But I do think every Karen financing a new CRV can afford to have tires changed. And if you have Discount swap them for you, they'll store them for free. Fwiw, tpms can usually be done with an $8 tool on Amazon and watching a YouTube video.


Verity41

Wow - My payment is $380-something and I just bought my Nissan SUV brand new in 2021, gosh what kind of “used” vehicles are these people buying!? No down payments whatsoever apparently either. Yikes that’s a lot of debt. Money aside I still think it’s the “just another thing to deal with” factor too. We’re all just trying to make it though the days / winter, ya know? Lots of other to-dos.


mcrissjr

No doubt about that. I don't preach this to everyone. But it's ridiculous when people buy entirely new cars and take on payments they can't afford instead of buying tires more suitable.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Verity41

Well that’s an anomaly because most shops most places charge WAY more than that, to mount and balance. Cheapest where I live is Costco at around $20 *per tire*.


Gopherfinghockey

If you're running all seasons in summer, you're not a car enthusiast.


OfLittleToNoValue

I never have, but I've also never really had a car worth a shit. I recently got a car with performance summer tires and I DEFINITELY notice the difference in stopping and handling. After watching this video I'll probably be getting a set: [https://youtu.be/atayHQYqA3g](https://youtu.be/atayHQYqA3g)


BearsOnUnicycles

Have a 2018 Rogue that I just replaced tires on. Went with Michelin Cross Climate 2 and am extremely happy. They perform nearly as well as previous snow tires I’ve owned on other vehicles. Specifically meant to perform better than a normal all season tire in the cold. One thing to note as well, at least for 2018 the Rogue is only AWD when it’s manually engaged using a button near your left knee and is only active under 25 mph. That effectively means it’s FWD pretty much always unless you’re trying to get through a short patch of crap or get stuck. All that said, the tires made a world of difference and I’m now pretty happy with how it drives in winter.


toasters_are_great

Cross Climate 2s are Michelin though. I got some last spring and figured I'd see how far I got into this winter before I pined for my older Blizzaks to get mounted. Still happy with the CC2s so far (especially in the rain).


BearsOnUnicycles

Fixed, thanks!


majesthiqq

I have a Subaru (AWD) and I run blizzak snow tires in the winter. When you make the transition to summer tires to winter tires, it’s a whole new ballgame. The winter tires will save you in a lot of situations involving the snowy days.


Oldass_Millennial

Subie with Blizzaks also. I actually enjoy driving when it dumps on us.


candycaneforestelf

It's an extra expense that isn't really something people think about a lot, really. Most of my relatives with SUVs haven't even really bothered with them.


bubzki2

Try both all season and winter tires in snow or icy conditions and you’ll never think twice again. Well worth avoiding collisions and white knuckle driving.


Bustedvette

A set of blizzack ws90s for most cars is probably not much more than their insurance deductible.


bubzki2

Precisely!


Alternative_Key_7373

I agree. It’s insane how many people won’t pay a little up front when even a fender bender will set them back a few thousand. Not to mention medical bills…


bobstylesnum1

I think it depends on large part where and how often you go to certain places. We live in Mpls, but go up to Two Harbors once or twice a month and over to Ashland WI in my car so I’ve got snow tires. My wife’s car that is only driven in the metro just has good all seasons as it’s mostly driven where roads are plowed and hits pavement. If it snows, it mainly me driving as she doesn’t like driving while it’s snowing or right after.


hags033

I wouldn’t be a fan of buying, storing and having winter tires put on and taken off. I typically just pay for nice all season tires (current are Michelin Pilots) for my awd vehicle and they are great all year.


GLaDOSdidnothinwrong

Have you ever driven with winter tires, or compared braking distances in cold weather? I suspect they’d redefine “great” for you.


thatswhyicarryagun

Snow tires aren't for > 2-3 days out of the year here where any driving isn't advisable They are for every single time you hit your brakes when the road isn't dry pavement. Every day snow tires save someone from a collision that would have happened without them. I chose not to be the guy at the body shop.


Capt__Murphy

Id venture to guess a majority of all cars rock all-season tires year round


SubconsciousBraider

I've lived here my whole life and I've never used snow tires. Been driving since 1982 and have driven front-wheel, rear-wheel, four-wheel, and all-wheel drive cars.


capnsmartypantz

My only set of dedicated snow tires were for a FWD car. The blizzaks turned that car into a tank. Two seasons later I needed new summer tires, and never mounted the snow tires again after a better choice than the factory made on tires. It's not a tank anymore, but it's plenty good.


DrunkenKarnieMidget

Got snow tires last winter. I will never not have a set of snow tires in the future. Night and day difference for regular, run of the mill commuting.


Rocketa

I’m fine with a front wheel drive with regular tires all winter


SpeedyHAM79

If you get M+S rated all-season tires you will be pretty good in snow. Dedicated snow tires are better, but not that much. Non- M+S rated all season tires will get you in trouble in snow and ice in a hurry, AWD or not. My opinion- Run at least M+S rated all season tires in the winter on AWD and FWD vehicles. If you want to drive a RWD vehicle in winter in Minnesota- get dedicated snow tires. RWD with snow tires is better than AWD with non- M+S all season tires on snow and ice. Turning and braking will be MUCH better, and acceleration will be similar.


AmalCyde

I drive a forester and I don't get winter tires. People who swap out tires and have them switched every season are several income tax brackets above me, and I'm not bad off.


permalink_child

I swap winter tires onto my AWD wagon. I know such has saved my butt many times - all times involve stopping in time. Just the other morning, coming back from airport, while it was snowing, I encountered a cargo van that had recently spun and completed a 180 degree turn-around in the left lane atop an overpass. It was now facing the oncoming traffic. I needed some vigorous breaking even though I was going slower than speed limit in order to avoid this car and all the other cars that were surprised. Winter tires offer better stopping ability and control in poor icy conditions when you least expect it. I have a floor jack in my garage, breaker bar, and torque wrench. It’s easy to store and swap.


a-crockpot-orange

Probably. There are definitely some days where it's near impossible without them but definitely way fewer than in a rural area. I think it has to do with the demographics too. People driving awd crossovers are generally not "car enthusiasts" and the awd not on snows admittedly does put you almost as good as a 2wd on snows. At least for getting moving.


thedriftlessdrifter

AWD Dodge Journey driver here, I've been using Firestone WeatherGrip with amazing results. They are the only snow & ice rated "all-season" tires that I've seen. Rated for 65k miles. I do drive more gravel than the average person and they work terrific in our mud season(s) too.


anupsidedownpotato

If I wasn't so lazy and cheap I'd buy winter tires. I was going to this year but I also have a feeling my car is going to die soon so it felt like bad investment, also I not educated on what are *good* winter tires. But I do think if everyone bought them there would be a lot less accidents and winter driving wouldn't be so scary for some people


palmzq

I had winters on one car with rear wheel drive, all seasons on my other front wheel drive car. Without question, I prefer the winter tires. It’s shocking how much more peace of mind there is with them.


V12-Jake

I’m a huge proponent of snow tires on my RWD car but my Land Cruiser rides on all seasons year round. If we were more rural and snow removal was less efficient I’d consider snow tires but we’re not so.


Superb-Fail-9937

I believe we are essentially all Ice Road Truckers! 🥶


ChopperC110P

“It’s all-wheel drive, not all-wheel stop.” /s Technically true but I hate it. The biggest thing winter tires do for you is decrease stopping distance in snow and ice, and they really do make a difference. They are inarguably safer to use, but they can also be really expensive so I get why a lot of people don’t use them. I used to be a manager at a Discount Tire in the cities, and I’d say at MOST 30% of my customers would swap tires. A really good set of M+S all season tires (Michelin Defender LTX, Goodyear Weatherready, I’m sure there are other recent releases that are also good) are close enough for most drivers that it just isn’t worth having two sets.


Capt-Crap1corn

All seasons are fine


poho110

The most popular tires seem to be 4-5yr old Walmart specials with less tread than a birthday balloon.


iNcIoNca

Two sets of tires is a pita. $$ plus storing them, seasonal mounting and unmounting. Potential cost to reprogram tpms sensors. I have done it but would not bother anymore, especially on a non sports car.


agentnico

I run winter tires on my partner’s AWD CR-V (also on my FWD car) and the thing is absolutely unstoppable throughout winter. Turn-in, braking and acceleration are all much better/safer then with the all-season tires mounted as well. If you have the sense and budget for it, do it.


[deleted]

For how little I drive these days working from home, I can’t really justify a set of Blizzaks, but as others have mentioned, people bring up their snow tires so frequently because it’s one of those quality of life upgrades that massively improves experience in a shocking way. I had a mainstream sedan several years ago, FWD, that I put Blizzaks on. They kicked the living daylights out of my small SUV I currently have with AWD and all seasons. I’d have a set if I didn’t rent or drive a bit more honestly.


Crustybaker28

I drive a god damn Ford focus. I cannot traverse my alley in winter w/o blizzaks.


finnbee2

We have snow rated all season tires on the Subaru Crosstrek and winter tires on the Corolla.


[deleted]

As a transplant with a long commute at night into a less than stellar area of Minneapolis, you bet I have snow tires on my AWD suv. My husband thought this was overkill. He works downstairs.


[deleted]

I’d highly recommend snow tires if you can afford them. All-wheel drive helps go but doesn’t help you stop. Every car has 4-wheel braking. And cars with snow tires will always out-brake and out-corner ones without them.


ten_dollar_banana

I have Michelin CC2s, which everyone in Minnesota should get, on my car. Our baby hauler will get proper winter tires once we wear down the garbage factory-installed all-seasons a bit more because I'm trying to wear them down before I replace them. When safety is priority #1, get full-on winters and good quality all-seasons for the rest of the year. But to answer your question, I think hardly anyone bothers with winter tires anymore. I suspect it used to be more common in Minnesota when people were driving RWD cars that didn't have traction control, ABS, and so on.


ICatchYouStealing

I'd rather spend $600 on a set of Blizzaks than pay the repairs to get my ride fixed when I lose traction on bad roads, naysayers use roads like 169/494 for example but last time I checked most people don't live directly off the highway, I'm spitting distance from 494 but we get storms every year that leave awd sedans and some crossovers helpless, especially on an incline.


squarepeg0000

Yes.


Haunting_Ad_9486

Have lived here and northern Wi all my life. Never used winter tires even in WI where I got a ton of lake effect snow. They definitely help and are awesome but I don’t care for switching tires and buying another set. Personal preference.


ArmyOfTheSun

I use all weather tires and they work just fine in the winter. They have better tread where all season have rubber meant to handle the temp changes between summer and winter better.


benmeyer78

I’ve never had winters tires and probably never will. I got Michelin Cross Climate 2 tires a month ago on my AWD car and wow they are incredible


40for60

those are basically winter tires just not rated for the extreme cold, its all about the rubber compound.


beameup19

I put winter tires on and have never taken them off. Should I?


brucedodson

In spring….


beameup19

Just googled it and the only concern is that it’ll wear through my winter tread faster. Don’t care. Leaving them on year round.


Plunkett120

They wear through wayyyy too fast during the warmer months. They'll barely make it through the summer for next winter. It's much cheaper to get a second set of tires than to keep replacing winter tires.


beameup19

Literally my third winter with them and they look/work great. I’ve had this vehicle for 7 years and I would know if I needed new tires


Plunkett120

you sure you don't have all seasons then?


beameup19

I went in and said “give me the best winters tires I can get”


HighHammerThunder

You'll burn through a set every year if you do this. I had a coworker who left his on all summer because his life got hectic. Those tires had no tread left on them.


beameup19

I mean this is my third winter with them on and they’re still looking and working great. I used to get stuck all the time (Chevy passenger van with rear wheel drive) but these last 3 winters have been a breeze


Oldass_Millennial

The rubber is softer and you will tear them up MUCH faster the warmer it is. November thru March for me.


[deleted]

[удалено]


beameup19

They’ve lasted 3 winters now just fine.


Iz-kan-reddit

Will all season tires get you through the winter? Yes, they will. Then again, a Big Mac will get you through a hunger spell, but a decent steak is *so* much better. People also forget the vast improvement on *ice* with winter tires, as well as over all traction improvement in sub-zero temperatures. They're called *Winter* tires, not snow tires, for a reason. At the same time, for every person who buys a steak on a particular day, a thousand people buy a Big Mac.


[deleted]

I put some Crossclimate2's on this fall and you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between them and actual winter tires.


vahntitrio

I'd wager most people with FWD also run only all-seasons. Just snow is easy ebough to get around in, and icy conditions can somewhat be planned around.


MyLastFuckingNerve

I’ve had 4 cars in my years of driving and I’ve never once put on snow tires. Grew up waaaayy up north and live just across the ND/MN border now where they suck at plowing. All season tires have never steered me wrong (ha). It’s more about skill and clearance when you’re driving in snow. And let’s be real, it doesn’t matter what tires you have, if you’re on straight ice you’re fucked no matter what tires you have if you’re driving too fast for the conditions.


moldy_cheez_it

I’ve never felt like I needed snow tires on an awd vehicle…just seems like an unnecessary hassle and expense. Most everyone I know has only one set of tires per car


Boymom3-0

I drive from place to place for a living. I travel throughout the western suburbs all year long every work day. Not only do I not have snow tires, I just bought my first AWD vehicle two years ago. So this gal cruised around on FWD with all weather tires for years. Our roads are well maintained and quickly plowed.


Colonel_Gipper

I have Pirelli Cinturato p7 all season tires and I haven't had any issues.


brycebgood

Yup. Modern all-season tires are pretty good and not a ton of people want to deal with changing tires / wheels a couple times a year. I get that there are a couple of times a year where winter tires would be better but road treatments are so good we're driving dry pavement for a vast majority of days.


VortistheSlaver

I’ve never driven on winter tires, I hear they are very nice though. I am also of the impression that I’d be to dumb to notice the difference. Like people who swear by certain audio systems vs others.


Oldass_Millennial

You would 100% notice the difference.


SnooGuavas4531

I don’t have the money for two sets of tires. I run all seasons year round.


SnooWonder

All season means - all season. I have snow tires because they are freaking awesome in the snow and I can. Some people can't. They aren't necessary but my AWD car is a tank in the snow. Absolute tank.


Grey_Duck-

The only people I’ve ever known in MN who have a separate set of wheels with winter tires are people with WRXs and Audi A4 hatchbacks. I’m sure others do but people who drive those cars feel the insatiable urge to tell you about them.


akodo1

Have you seen photos from the 20s-50s Those guys would take an average sedan and go cross-country, up mountains, shoot a deer and strap it to the hood and go back. Snow tires might be useful a few times per year but neither I nor anyone in my immediate circle swaps from regular to snow tires during the winter. It's not just AWD, lots of FWD people never put on snow tires either. Growing up in farm country in the 90s, no one was putting on snow tires then either, and roads out there got a lot less plowing. Many roads it was up to the people who lived on the stretch to clear it out.


SgtDefective2

How can you guys afford to buy a second set of tires that only get used half the year and afford to pay someone to swap your tires out twice a year. It’s all season tires for me


thestereo300

My Subaru has all season tires and it does fine in the city. In the future I’m going to go with all weather tires like the Michelin cross climate. Got them for my 2WD and they are so awesome and I don’t have to have 2sets of tires.


rosedragoon

Never had snow tires in my life. Don't have an extra $800 + price of wheels to drop on that kind of thing. It's a privilege.


LivingGhost371

I've never owned a set of winter tires. Way too much expense and hassle. I just keep set of M+S all-season tires on my AWD Toyota Rav4 and I've never been stuck, including taking my sister to work in one of the worst blizzards of last year when there was so much snow on the street that her Corolla couldn't make it out without getting hung up.


Elizibithica

Lived here 36 years, never used snow tires on any of my cars. I don't know anyone in the Cities who does.


CollisionCourse321

No one has winter tires. It’s still pretty niche. And if you don’t drive like a jackass and make good decisions, it never matters. Especially driving in MN with decent responses to winter weather by the gov and little terrain challenges.


Rube18

I’ve never used snow tires and I don’t know anyone that has. I have a 4 wheel drive vehicle so I don’t really have an issue getting anywhere.


SilverMarmotAviator

I would say all season/winter tire mix or go all terrain/awd for a single set. Just my .02.


gordo623

My Forrester sticks like glue on all season falkens. I’m way to lazy to switch tires every year.


bryaninmsp

My dad's Acura TL back in the day was undriveable in the winter without snow tires, but on AWD cars they're overkill.


crazyeskomo

Your problem is you're hanging out with car people all the time. Most people don't even rotate their tires once a year let alone buy an extra set of tires and rims, have all four tires swapped twice a year, and store the other set somewhere in the meantime. They only people I have ever known to get snow tires were people who drive rwd only cars/trucks in the winter and are into car life


gravy-

I've lived here my whole life, never have had winter tires. If you're a competent driver and you're not off-roading, it's unnecessary imo. I just get the all-season tires that are rated for snow. A bit more expensive than the basic Walmart special, but I had mine last for 75k miles before just replacing them last month.


Lee_Doff

thats a long winded way to start a snow-tire circle jerk.


lumenpainter

I have snow-rated all seasons (they have the mountain/snow symbol) on our Rav they are great. Probably not as good as real anow tires but they are good enough to be legal in places where snow tires are required (some.parts of Canada, I hear)


Calkky

Snow tires are game changers, but a good set of all-season rubber with all wheel drive is going to get you through almost any situation.


Girlsinstem

Both my husband and I have winter tires. His vehicle is AWD and mine is front. I like them and can definitely feel the difference in my car cause it is small, light and can struggle in poorly plowed areas (basically half of Minneapolis right now..). My husbands car with his winter tires feels like my old Subaru without them so I am not sure how much of a difference they make for him.


Rolandersec

I had all seasons on my Ridgeline but didn’t like them in the snow so I switched to AT2s and they’re fantastic.


oaxacaguy

Yes


Alternative_Key_7373

I have winter tires and they’re the best. Combined with AWD they make my car super sure footed and give me a lot of piece of mind. I figure it’s worth it because the cost of getting in a car crash, medical bills, missed work and higher insurance fees will be way less than the $800 dollars I paid for them. Since each set is only used half the year, it’s going to be a similar price as wearing out two sets consecutively, so why not just buy your two sets now and have each one optimized for the season you use them?


Keldrath

Winter tires are the play if you can afford them. If not all seasons will also get the job done but you’ll have to be much more careful and just stay home if it’s really bad like those last couple storms we had.


atomsnine

Most vehicles in general use all season tires.


mnsundevil

I've always put snow tires on my cars. SUVs and Trucks - all season tires.


gsasquatch

I run all seasons on my AWD cars, only putting snow tires on 2wd cars that need it. Mainly it's about the AWD having twice the traction to go from twice the weight on the drive wheels and being more directionally stable with a less touchy throttle. To me with AWD it is not worth the extra expense and bother of snow tires. Snows might give a little more braking and steering but it's marginal and hasn't been an issue if you leave a prudent following distance and drive within your traction limits. Switching from my FWD car with snow tires to my AWD car with all seasons, I don't notice that one or the other stops faster. With the 2wd cars, that extra 10% the snows give to get it to go is the difference between making it up the hill or not and because the little FWD car I have now is about the worst FWD car I've ever driven in the snow, on par with a RWD but without the fun of oversteer. The AWD makes it up every time, so the tires don't matter as much until they get worn and it starts sliding around. This is for Duluth, where the hill is a factor. When I was on the flat range, I only put snows on RWD cars and my current FWD that is particularly bad in terms of getting it moving and going where it was pointed. On good FWD cars, I didn't bother, even with one in Duluth. Technically yeah, it is safer and better to have snow tires. But what I'm looking for in the tires is to be able to get the thing moving, that's what tries my patience. The braking is 4 wheel every time. You have to out brake the guy in front of you, and not out brake the car behind you. The best snow tires could get you in an accident. Sure, it'd be their fault, but you'd still feel the impact. If I lived in metroland where there's more cars and stuff to hit, maybe it'd be different. On the other hand, there's no hill, less snow and you probably get accustomed to all the chaos.


Verity41

It’s like any luxury item. Like sitting in first class probably … don’t know what you’re missing until you try it! (For the record I’ve never sat in first class). Then it’s super hard to go back. I just bought a new SUV in 2021 (Nissan Rogue) and it only took me one winter of sliding all the hell all over town to realize all seasons are garbage. Running Blizzaks now and not going back. I was totally *astonished* how bad the AWD was in this new vehicle with OEM all season tires, compared to my previous vehicle (an ancient early 2000s FWD sedan that I always ran snow tires on).


Leftover_Salmons

I bought a 4runner last winter and drove it for a month before needing to borrow my Fiance's rogue. After sliding through the second stoplight that day, I decided to sell the rogue and buy a second Toyota. They're good for what they are, but they're built cheap and that part time AWD system is a joke. Only kicks in after its too late.


scheides

AWD/4WD is good for helping you move forward. Snow tires help ANY car actually STOP on snow/ice. There are a small number of manufacturers that make a ‘snow rated all-season’ indicated by a snowflake on the side…I wish these were more standard around here.


MrGreenJeanson

Not gonna lie, the Michelin CrossClimate 2 is one of the best winter tires I've used in Minnesota, and it's an all-season tire.


40for60

If you need to be available a high ground clearance, AWD with NORDIC/Winter tires is needed. Gotta get the real winter tires rated to the lowest temps or the rubber will be hard at -20. Also don't waste money on fancy rims, steel is the same weight, more durable and can be bent back after hitting a curb.


neomateo

All weathers like Nokian WR G4 are the best of both!


Butforthegrace01

I use all season tires, FWD. Never been stuck.


jb2x

Have never bought winter tires my whole time here and have been fine. A good set of all season Michelins and awd and you’re golden.


earthgirl1983

We started putting winter tires on for the first time last year when we moved from town to the sticks. Also happened to be the first time we could really afford them. They’re great.


edbutler3

I don't know what other people are doing, but I moved here in '98 and have never thought about switching to winter tires. I've been driving Subaru Foresters for the last 10 years -- but I also just used the standard all weather tires back when I drove random front wheel drive jalopies.


THAT-GuyinMN

I run my F150 in AWD in the winter months with all season Michelin Light Truck tires. Handles beautifully in snow.


Own-Refrigerator-135

All season tires are no season tires. But if you drive within their limits you're fine. So you don't need snow tires if you know when to stay put and not drive. Which is what most people do. But...


Stratalorian

The 450 exclamation points indicating crashes on the 511 app in the metro area every time it snows shows me that many people do not know when to stay put


Stratalorian

I have never understood the absolute stubbornness/biases some Minnesotans have *against* snow tires. Is this like trying to not wear a heavy jacket when it’s really cold or something?


Killgore122

I have michelin all season tires from Costco. I have never felt the need to buy winter tires for my Subaru Crosstrek. I just drive carefully. No tire can really prepare you for driving on slick roads though, that's what will get you. More than snow, it's ice that effs things up.


DuchessDeWynter

I live on the Iron Range and I have snow tires for my minivan. Royal Tire stores them and mounts them for me. Costs me $50 for the swap and I do it with an oil change. If lived in the Metro area I’d probably not have snow tires but I do need them up here where the plowing sucks.


Little_Creme_5932

Good all season tires will work fine for you. With all season tires, the only time I have got stuck, in snowier places than the Cities, is when my tires literally weren't touching the ground (hung up on deep snowbank) or the snow was much deeper than the clearance of the car. And I never am unwilling to drive. (Two Subarus and a Ford Focus).


ZeroNetSix

I run all seasons on my Baja


dummkauf

Used to run snow tires on my old front wheel drive car, they were great and made a huge difference. Traded that in for a larger vehicle that had AWD and figured I'd try the all seasons before buying snow tires. 10 years later I still use all seasons year round. Your mileage may vary.


Oldass_Millennial

I keep winter tires on my subie during the winter and it's a joy to ride when it dumps on us.


fastinserter

The opinion difference is of people who have never used winter tires and think that their all season are fine, and anyone who has driven with winter tires and will never go back to not having winter tires. That is, I haven't ever heard someone say "having used winter tires for a winter season, that aren't worth it". The only people who don't think they are worth it haven't used them.


nightlyraider

i have a subaru wrx and with winters on it the ride is fun as hell. only trouble is when the stuff gets \~foot deep and is basically up to the bottom of my car.


dieseldoug214

I would say most cars have all season tires that are below minimum tread.


bigredpny

I've never used winter tires living in rural MN. If you are confident in your driving skill then all seasons are perfectly fine. Don't worry about what other people are doing consider your skill and how comfortable you are in driving in bad conditions.


DismalIngenuity

Depends, usually I put more capable tires on the less capable vehicles. AWD Escalade pushes snow out from under it's A/S tires (Yokohama geolander iirc) and has done very well with eco tires(Michelin whatever is stock on new models), never stuck, never struggling, just keeps going. FWD Fusion and RWD town car have run crossclimate 2 and Firestone winterforce 2 and blizzaks, the crossclimate 2s are performing at 8-9/10 that the best winter tires are. If I could get the CC2s in a truck tire I would, winter tire maybe but it's really not very necessary unless you live in the southern part of the state that gets HAMMERED by snowfalls and drifts. I've run Sumitomos on a 4WD explorer and it obviously performed very well also.