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nshapiro
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Apr 29, 2010, 6:10 AM
Post #1 of 10
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Snow Tires in Summer?
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We have a Toyota Sienna which is 9 years old, and we think we have another 3 years on it. This year my wife wanted snow tires for extra security so we bought them and had them put on.
But they told us we should consider new regular tires when we got them, as they said ours were showing wear (and they weren't that old).
Considering the cost of the new tires $400, and the cost of swapping and balancing them $180 or so a year, based on the fact that we are only keeping the car three more years, we were considering keeping the snow tires on instead.
Are there any safety issues with doing that beyond premature tire wear of the snows? Will using them in the summer cause them to wear or not perform properly within the three years of service?
Thanks in advance...
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 29, 2010, 7:14 AM
Post #2 of 10
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Re: Snow Tires in Summer?
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Swapping tires for $180 is ridiculous! About $15 each for mount and balance would be plenty if you want to do the Summer/Winter tire thing.
You could get plain cheap rims for just the snows but of course have to have the place for storing extra wheels either way.
How long will the snows last totally depends on the use they will get on or off season. Miles, road type and condition and paying attention to rotating a lot - IMO twice as often with snows as "All Season" type tires.
I own a 4X4 with real Mud and Snows and they stay on year round as I don't need to use that vehicle so much anyway.
By nature, true snow tires don't do the high miles of conventional tires and aren't rated for mileage expectations. It's my experience that they are only superior for the first 1/4 of thier legal life and thereafter traction in real snow drops off dramatically. I plow snow with 2/3rds good as new snows all around on a truck and they aren't so special anymore already but are quiet on highway so I'll use them up.
For three more years you have to look at the tires and decide for yourself. Old snows as said aren't as good as new all season tires for brute traction.
Keep this in mind: No matter what vehicle and no matter what fancy high tech traction controls they can have, ABS and more, the only thing that touches road surface is the rubber.
There are a bazillion different tires and tread types. Some aggressive snows won't handle as well on harsh handling turns on dry roads as regular all season tires,
T
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re-tired
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Apr 29, 2010, 9:31 AM
Post #3 of 10
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Re: Snow Tires in Summer?
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As a life time resident of Florida I consider myself somewhat of an expert on snow tires . Most ,well a lot, of yankees I mean northerners do this . At the falling of the first flake they check tire pressures in whatever tires they have on at the time . They then proceed to Florida, where they never drive over 35 mph to minimize tire wear till return trip at first thaw.
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
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nshapiro
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Apr 29, 2010, 10:36 AM
Post #4 of 10
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Re: Snow Tires in Summer?
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Thanks for the info. It's actually about $90 to swap the tires, but I multiplied by 2 because you need to swap twice a year (once to snow, once to regular tires).
The snow tires are Blizzak tires if that helps. I should have mentioned that I guess.
As far as driving, the car gets driven by my wife to work and on short errands around town daily. About 100 miles or less total per week.
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re-tired
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Apr 29, 2010, 11:29 AM
Post #5 of 10
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Re: Snow Tires in Summer?
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Geeze , no snappy comeback . I'm hurt.
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 29, 2010, 12:34 PM
Post #6 of 10
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Re: Snow Tires in Summer?
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R-T , You waited too long as snow is all gone in Southern New England now. I'll Fed-Ex you some so you can play with it next season
Poster,
Blizzaks are known to be EXCELLENT! With the low usage if you wish to save just leave them on. They should stay legal tread for a few years at that rate of use,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 29, 2010, 12:38 PM
Post #7 of 10
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Re: Snow Tires in Summer?
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I'm in Florida also but I thought the days of swapping tires are pretty much over with the use of all season tires. Unless your in Canada or some other blizzard area, why not use all season tires?
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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nshapiro
New User
Apr 29, 2010, 1:05 PM
Post #8 of 10
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Re: Snow Tires in Summer?
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Thanks for the info and opinions.
We've always used all-season radials, but we do get a fair amount of snow here (upstate NY) and we have a steep driveway. My wife just likes the extra security the snow tires give her when driving. We drove with them to Stowe, VT this year and they did perform well.
Thanks again.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Apr 29, 2010, 7:02 PM
Post #9 of 10
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Re: Snow Tires in Summer?
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nshapiro - As said in most cases high end all season tires should do in most cases. The steep driveway is probably your worst problem and once out don't deal with the extremes as sand on public roads is usually adequate.
Native New Englander here. Never mind just swapping tires we used to use chains! Nothing had four wheel drive and that's not the whole answer as all cars/vehicles only have the same four wheels as brakes.
I feel like the last of the Mohicans that I still will seek out real snow tires as I own and have many just rear wheel drive vehicles some do ok for those steep untreated drives and some don't. Real snows are twice the traction IMO and if you are familiar being in Stowe, VT you also know ice is ice and nothing is going anywhere in certain situations.
The Blizzaks are the leader for ice but there are limits of course. Chains or now strap on do dad's that are easy on and off for just primary drive wheels might be the best and most reasonable option.
I like snows but the best of them I wish were off as soon as conditions improved for general handling.
Face it. Winters and especially driveways that are steep are a PITA. Have a couple neighbors that give up and just park down by the street or pay thru the nose to heavily sand driveways depending on budgets for that.
Depending on the frequency and routine extremes think about real chain like stuff that now is quick to install and remove. Requred no matter what tires in the Rocky Mountain states on the interstate mountain passes in storms or turn around!
T
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Apr 29, 2010, 7:06 PM)
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Sidom
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Apr 29, 2010, 11:08 PM
Post #10 of 10
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Re: Snow Tires in Summer?
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I would go with one of Tom's suggestions. Get a set of cheap rims and get the tires mounted on those.
After that you can swap them yourself for free.
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