toma@sri-unix (10/28/82)
I have driven front wheel drive or rear engine rear wheel drive (same thing for traction) since 1967 and I NEVER OWNED A PAIR OF SNOW TIRES. During that time I always had radial tires. And I spent 4 years at Cornell in New York. Here in Oregon, the major problem is ice, and snow tires (without studs) perform no better than regular tires on ice. My feeling is that regular tires are fine until the going gets rough, then you get the (hopefully strap) chains out of the trunk and put THEM on. Back at Ithaca, my ol' Beetle was able to push hopelessly stuck full size (1960's style) American cars out of a slanted parking lot because of those chains. Snow tires -- save your money, get chains instead.
bentson@sri-unix (10/29/82)
I've got a set of chains for my Fiat 128. I find that about once a year I need them. Outside of that radials seem good enough. This has proved good for Minnesota, New Jersey and Colorado. I would however, get snow tires if I were to travel a great deal (10 miles+/week) in heavy new snow. Randy Bentson Colo State U - Comp Sci ucbvax!hplabs!csu-cs!bentson
jcl (10/29/82)
I got a kick out of the phrase "save your money, use chains instead". Chains really do a number on your tires, especially if you drive at highway speeds with them on. Besides, I believe chains are illegal in most states that have an appreciable amount of snow (because they also tear up the roads). Radial tires (with front wheel drive) do fairly well in winter. I have driven many winters in Michigan's UP with no complaints. However, radial snow tires obviously provide more traction, for the same reason that bias ply snow tires provide more traction than regular bias ply. I doubt the difference is as great for radial tires as bias ply, but I'm sure there is an improvement. The only problem with switching back and forth from snow tires is having to take your car into the shop twice a year (if you have two extra wheels, you can keep your snows permanently mounted and do it yourself).
wagner (10/29/82)
Re: Pushing 60s style cars out of the snow. My parents pushed a buick riviera (or so) out of a snowy parking lot north of Toronto. Radial snows, no chains, several feet of snow, no ice. Net result - my parents burnt out their clutch. Sometimes the reward of being a good samaritan is obscure. Michael Wagner, UTCS