Guygan t1_j6mtv9x wrote
> Dedicated winter studded tires on steel wheels are a necessity up here
Disagree. Only necessary when the roads are icy. Plenty of folks do just fine with all season tires. If you've got an extra $1500 burning a hole in your pocket, by all means buy studded Hakkas, but in most places in Maine they are really only needed a few days a year.
capt_jazz t1_j6n9kb0 wrote
Agreed, unless you MUST drive in any weather for work or some other reason, winter tires aren't really necessary. I've spent my whole life in the northeast and never really heard about people having them until I moved to Maine. I get that we're slightly further north here but I saw plenty of snow storms in other states. Seems to be a cultural thing, might just be a holdover from when Maine had more cold/snowy winters, but we're headed out of that climate.
tobascodagama t1_j6nptdl wrote
All-seasons are great for everything except steep hills that ice over and active blizzard conditions. Anybody who needs winter tips probably doesn't need studs.
mainebringstheheat t1_j6mvtol wrote
I drive for a living and 100% disagree! Maybe if you have a large SUV or truck with AWD/4WD -- but us FWD/RWD sedans have a hell of a time! And my brand new winter tires cost me like $600 installed!
IamSauerKraut t1_j6nc2xm wrote
$600 for 4 or 2? Seems like low-budget 25K life at that price for 4.
mainebringstheheat t1_j6nddze wrote
4, the shops usually have deals going on like buy 3 get the 4th free or special promos on certain brands! They definitely aren't top of the line but they'll last the 5 winters I need them for and work great! Even at 25k miles, if you average 15k a year and only use them in the winter, that's still numerous years of use!
shenanighenz t1_j6nvts2 wrote
I lived near Mt Washington in NH and had all seasons on a rear wheel drive car and did fine. These days I’m in a Camry and as long as the plows are about regularly I can get around if I’m not being an idiot. I’ve found as long as I’m keeping a good amount of tread in my tires I don’t have many problems.
badhmorrigan t1_j6oc7ac wrote
And chains work well enough for those 5 days a year that studs may be necessary for everyone.
The_Maine_Sam t1_j6p18um wrote
High end winter tires are about $1000 installed and should last 5+ seasons. No reason why you shouldn't be using them if you can afford them. We're talking about your life. If $1000 in life insurance isn't worth it to you, I dunno what to tell ya.
Guygan t1_j6p1txr wrote
Set of 4 studded Hakkas are about $1,100. Add in 4 steelies or the charge for swapping out 4 tires with balancing, and that's about $1500.
Not everyone has that kind of cash, and more importantly, not everyone needs studded snows at all.
tractorchick t1_j6n196w wrote
I also disagree. Studds are a must. It saves lives and would eliminate so many accidents if people stopped running all seasons in the winter. It's not just ice, they help with traction in the snow too!
Muted_Discussion_550 t1_j6n45d7 wrote
I've driven for 20 years with all seasons never been in an accident and have lived in aroostook multiple times for years at a whack
ecco-domenica t1_j6nmoxr wrote
You can get winter tires and I love having them but you mostly don't need studded.
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