2 or 4 snow tires?

[tzoid]

Getting ready for winter and in my area, snow tires are the way to go....too many hills. Places like the Tire Rack tell you that 4 snow tires are necessary, but I grew up in Buffalo and all we had were rear wheel drive, positraction cars, with snow tires only on the rear. Anybody had any real life experience in snow with their Charger R/T, with snows just on the rear? Mine's got the R&T package so it looks like 18" snow tires required. Any advice appreciated....thanks!

[ekaz]

I'd go 4 winter tires.

[RTcar]

4 winter tires are required for the best steering, braking and overall driving. Get 4 winter tires....you wont be sorry !

[chargershed]

HAL will have a field day if you only do 2 snows, the ESP will be on all the time... besides when its dry out the handling will flat out suck...

[NECharger]

I agree with all four.

[TorRed 1161]

I lived and drove in snowy New England for 43 years and never used more than 2 snow tires on a car - never even heard of such a thing as putting 4 on anything but an AWD vehicle.

But then, HAL didn't exist in those years!

[HemiChemi]

I lived and drove in snowy New England for 43 years and never used more than 2 snow tires on a car - never even heard of such a thing as putting 4 on anything but an AWD vehicle.

But then, HAL didn't exist in those years!Nor did we have stability control years ago.


As long as the snows are the same size (width and profile, hence same outer diameter) as the other two, you'll LIKELY be OK. But I agree, and say go with four to be safest. How much is your peace of mind and safety worth?

[NECharger]

I lived and drove in snowy New England for 43 years and never used more than 2 snow tires on a car - never even heard of such a thing as putting 4 on anything but an AWD vehicle.

But then, HAL didn't exist in those years!

Wouldn't it make sense that steering and braking with rubber that is made to be more pliable in cold temps. would be superior to all seasons up front in the winter on ice and snow? Add tread depth to the equation and it's a no brainer as to which one is better.

[TorRed 1161]

With the kind of snow tires I remember, with cross-block tread, you wouldn't even be ABLE to steer with them on the front wheels!

[NECharger]

With the kind of snow tires I remember, with cross-block tread, you wouldn't even be ABLE to steer with them on the front wheels!

The first time I tried to park with the all seasons on an icy parking lot I came to within inches of plowing into another car. My car came with the Conti's and they suck on ice and snow. I invested in a set of Pirelli Scorpion Ice & Snow tires shortly there after. Honestly, I haven't been out in bad conditions with them yet, so I can't vouch for them from real world experience. But, I mainly wanted some rubber that would stick better in the cold.

[Trevor]

If money is no option, 4 snows are what you want (and what is recommended by any tire/automotive professional). There is more to winter driving (i.e. staying out of the ditch) than having traction on the driven wheels.

NEC is right - not only do snows have a tread pattern designed for snow/slush/ice, but they also have a different rubber composition (i.e. won't "freeze" as some summer/all-seasons are known to do, which equates to driving on plastic slabs as opposed to rubber tires).

Check a tire manufacturer site for more detail. There's plenty of information to be found.

That being said, I don't intend to do anything other than drive cautiously on the factory Assurance ComfortTreads, and maybe work from home on the few occasions where I REALLY don't want to be bothered battling the weather.

[HemiChemi]

If money is no option, 4 snows are what you want (and what is recommended by any tire/automotive professional). There is more to winter driving (i.e. staying out of the ditch) than having traction on the driven wheels.

NEC is right - not only do snows have a tread pattern designed for snow/slush/ice, but they also have a different rubber composition (i.e. won't "freeze" as some summer/all-seasons are known to do, which equates to driving on plastic slabs as opposed to rubber tires).

Check a tire manufacturer site for more detail. There's plenty of information to be found.

That being said, I don't intend to do anything other than drive cautiously on the factory Assurance ComfortTreads, and maybe work from home on the few occasions where I REALLY don't want to be bothered battling the weather.
Some modern snow tires (Blizzaks, at least) have not only different temperature behavior, but the outer layer on the friction surface is composed of a closed-cell foam-type rubber which, as it wears, exposes thousands of bubble-voids, each of which adds a tiny gripping edge to your contact patch.

http://www.bridgestonetire.com/winterdriving/winterdriving_us/switch.asp?id=performance

This would be a bonus on front and rear tires...