In the past when I had a V8 powered Mustang, I bought an extra set of wheels and mounted them with snow tires, and it made a huge difference in winter traction. In fact my high powered rear drive sports car did better on slippery surfaces than my wife's front wheel drive sedan with all-season tires.
Modern snow tires differ from all-season and summer tires in several important ways. They feature deeper tread grooves, and thousands of narrow grooves called sipes to help bite into snow and ice. Even the rubber itself is different with a formulation that helps it to stay pliable when the mercury dips.
Sacré Pneu! Quebec Mandates Winter Tires and the People Rejoice—or at Least Don’t Revolt
Drive down the streets of Montreal in the winter and you’ll notice a curious automotive fashion trend: Aftermarket wheels are everywhere, from high-end rims on Audis to rusted steelies on Saturns. It’…
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I've been using dedicated snows on my Neon since my son was born, 5 years ago. I only now have to replace 2 of them (the other two are at 7/32nds) and I run them November to April. Excellent investment in piece of mind.
My Miata gets winter rubber as well. When I first came to New York with it, I shod it with all seasons before leaving California. I promptly bought a spare set of wheels and snow tires after my first experience driving in the snow. 😛
Honestly, and this comes from a Texan who has lived elsewhere…if you get even moderate snow, you need dedicated snows on dedicated wheels.
That was our first purchase in Colorado, after moving, in December, from 500 feet of elevation in Dallas, to 9K feet of elevation in Evergreen, CO. Snow wheels, then to Discount Tire for four Yokohama Guardex 600's.
Those. Tires. Rocked.
Sure, they felt a little odd when it was May, and even though we'd still get good snows in the upper foothills, Denver was 80F. Meh, you adapt.