Question about snow tires?

Question

Will buying only 2 snow tires help?? If I put them on the front 2... since the car is front wheel drive?

Answer 1

It depends on the conditions your driving in. If your in an area where you'll have to get through deep snow, the snow tires will help you get going. But if the conditions are that the snow isn't that deep and is more icy, the all weather tires will give you better control. Your ability to control and stop the car should always be your most important concern.

Answer 2

Since the front tires do all the work of moving and steering the car, you will notice a big difference with proper tires up front.

Keep in mind there are all season tires that do a fair job in both summer and winter and then there are tires that are meant for winter only use. They are very soft rubber, have an excellent grip on ice and snow, but will not last long in the summer so you would need to take them off in the spring. I felt the difference immediately after putting some on my front drive small car.

INCREDIBLE!  I could take right off even on ice. But they have a high pitched whine on bare highways.

Depending on your needs you might not want to spend the money for two sets of tires for the front but they will go through some very deep snow as well.

If you drive mostly on city and well traveled roads, you probably don't need them. But, if you frequently drive on icy roads they might keep you from going into the ditch.

I suggest you go to the website listed below, enter the information for your car, and check out the tire reviews. They were written by people who actually bought and used the tires then came back to the site and wrote about their experience. Their words will help you decide which tires are best suited to your driving needs. You don't have to buy from tire rack, just use the reviews to help you pick out tires and then go online to find a dealer near you. Sometimes a dealer can give you a better price, but not always because there is a difference in markup.

Answer 3

Snow tires are intended to improve traction in snow, so you want to put them on your driving tires.  Since your car is front-wheel-drive, put them on the front and keep your all-season tires on the trailers.

Answer 4

Many people assume that the two drive wheels are most important and the other two tires sort of tag along. This idea was valid twenty or more years ago when snow tires were different only in their tread design.

Today's winter tires have different compounds and designs that deliver from 25 to 50 percent more traction in snow and ice, and stay pliable in cold weather allowing for more control on dry roads.

Using just two on a vehicle creates a traction mismatch that can have serious handling consequences. Using four winter tires ensures optimum traction and control for all vehicle types.

It is always recommended to use four winter tires, it's the cheapest insurance you can buy to protect yourself, your family and others.

Answer 5

No, no, no!

On a front wheel drive, you never put only 2 snow tires on the front, and no reputable tire dealer will install them.  They may get you going a little faster, but you will not stop!  When the better traction on the front takes affect in an emergency situation, the rear wheels break loose, and you are thrown into an uncontrollable spin.  Yes, we used to believe 2 snow tires can go on the drive wheels, and that was true for rear wheel drive cars, but, much research shows anytime 2 new tires, snow, or otherwise, go on a car with 2 worn tires, the better traction tires always go on the back.  To not follow that rule could mean injury or death.

For best results, get 4 snow tires.  Some dealers will not even install only 2 snows on any position on the car.  Tires develop traction in all directions, and more traction on the front than the rear can even mean a spin on a moderately slippery corner, without applying the brakes at all!

And the people that answered it was okay to have snows only on the front?  Do some research.  Contact Michelin, and other manufacturers.  Contact major tire dealers, and find out for yourself that I am right.

As a matter of fact, Dunlop only has one recommendation for snow tires, and that is "For the best driving results, Dunlop recommends that a complete set of four snow tires be mounted on a vehicle".

From 1010tires.com "If you install winter tires, switch all four tires, not just two. Using just 2 winter tires can cause the car to spin unexpectedly because of greater traction on only two wheels".

Answer 6

It will definitely be better than no snow tires but all 4 is highly recommended.

Answer 7

yes, it definitely helps alot.