Snow tires and lightweight cars?

Question

I have a 98 honda civic with all season tires and live in Oswego,NY where there is a ton of lake effect.

I've mentioned wanting to get snow tires to 2 people who used to work with mechanics and they told me not to waste my money. Apparently snow tires do not make much of a difference on lightweight cars like mine.

I tend to have a lot more wheel spin starting from a stop than other cars (when the roads have a bit of snow buildup) and have to go 10 miles under when most people speed like its nothing. Of course almost everyone has an SUV here. Its an automatic which I've been told is worse in snow than a standard as well.

So my question is- has anyone heard about that or had any experiences? I really don't want to get snow tires if it won't make enough difference to make it worth it.

Answer 1

Snow tires are better, no doubt about it. thats why they are made.

I put snow tires on my wife's Accord and it has incredible traction.

All season tires are very good but they are not as good, especially after the first season, while all the little sipes (grooves) are new and sharp, after a season they are not nearly as good.

The advice about an automatic is wrong, they are smoother starting and actually better.

Get the tires,  your safety is definitly worth it and y ou will be happy with the results.

Tires are the cheapest insurance you can own.

Another thing to consider is studded tires. They dont do anythign extra on snow but on ice and hard packed snow the studs help a lot.

There are "studless" tires but they are not quite as good.

One other thing, those SUVs driving too fast are looking for trouble, they are more top heavy than your Honda and actually less stable on the roads. They start out fast because of the all wheel drive but cant stop or steer any better, SUV drivers freequently suffer from what doctors call "CRI" or cranial/r****m inversion.

Answer 2

get snow tires they will definatly help i had them on a1996 escort what a difference i get alot of snow too i live in buffalo new york

Answer 3

Winter tires are not like All-Season tires and have special rubber compounds designed to improve traction, handling and braking in all cold weather conditions, not just ice and snow.

Winter Tires are designed to deliver safety and control in snow, ice, and cold weather conditions.

Many people think that all-season tires can deliver this same performance, but this is not true.

The superior traction that winter tires deliver, as much as 25 to 50 percent increase over all-season tires, can very well be the margin you need to stop in time or to turn and avoid trouble.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association has gone so far as to set a new standard for winter traction.