Driving a van...do I need snow tires?

todzwife · Nov 20, 2011

I live in new mexico. We get about 2 really good "snow days", otherwise it's a light snow in the AM and it's gone by noon. The roads aren't plowed very well (if at all). In previous years, I've driven subaru's with AWD but my new van doesn't have AWD so I'm looking into snow tires.

The thing is, we don't get a LOT of snow. We don't get much moisture at all. Every few years we get a foot or so, but last year we didn't get more than 2-3 inches at a time and it's usually really slushy or frozen solid.

Is this something I need snow tires for? Or is this more appropriate for chains? We were really glad we had AWD 2 years ago when we went "home" to northern AZ for Christmas and the roads were ice the whole way.

(I'm driving a 2012 Toyota Sienna FWD)

MANDY1234 · Nov 20, 2011

:ROTFLMAO:

After I got that out, no I would not buy snow tires. I don't know anyone who buys snow tires and I live in Ohio. I drive a 06' Sennia. If you really want control over your driving on those 2 days, drop it into a lower gear, its all about how you drive. Slow and steady, no banging the brakes

ETA: You might need chains for the mountains, but I wouldn't invest in them unless you have money to blow, since it sounds like you don't go that often really.

luckyclov · Nov 20, 2011

If you know how to drive in unfavorable conditions (I grew up in Maine - to this day, I still prefer FWD/good brakes/good tires over 4/AWD), you will be fine. The Sienna actually handles incredibly well on wet roads and slush, even ice. I did MUCH of my test-driving in the spring, where we have serious downpours/wet roads/mud/flooding and it's one of the reasons I scored the Sienna so high. I live in the south, but we've been through some slush and ice and, surprisngly, my FWD minivan never got ditched, even though many 4WD SUVs and trucks did.

Be confident and defensive, use common sense and you will, most likely, be just fine in your environment, with what your vehicle is already equipped with.

todzwife · Nov 20, 2011

Awesome. Sounds like we'll be ok then. I'm just used to Subarus so I was unsure. The school is only 2 miles away and I drive super slow down that road in the yuck. We wouldn't really take a long trip if the weather was bad anyway.

SafeDad · Nov 21, 2011

For most urban and suburban areas, a quality all-season tire with a M+S (mud/snow) rating that has good tread depth remaining will be very adequate for rain and snow.

Snow tires seem like a major hassle and expense to me for a few days of the year, especially when you don't know when those days will be!

Seattle is kind of the same way. It doesn't get hit with a snowstorm often during the winter, but when it does, the hills create lots of problems.

Snow tires are great for some areas and necessary in others. If you are in a winter climate and live in a rural area or travel a lot in snowy areas that don't get plowed quickly or at all, then they are probably a good investment. Same if you drive in areas that require chains or snow tires. For most city dwellers in northern towns that do get plowed, they are a convenience but really not necessary. I've never had a need for them in 25+ years of driving around Chicago.

Driving a van...do I need snow tires?

todzwife

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