| Winter tires. Do you believe in them?
Posted: 12/3/2005 10:13:14 AM | I dont think it would be a bad Idea for the government to design a tax cut to assist people in purchasing snow tires(for those who would like them, but cant afford to spend the couple hundred bucks every few years). Then we all know too well people will spend the money on something else anyway. Making them manditory will only cause more problems for everyone.
Guys like me who work at a tire shop would get 300 calls a day from people looking for cheap to free used snow tires, or complain about pricing and availability on new ones. | |
|
| Winter tires. Do you believe in them?
Posted: 12/5/2005 6:07:57 AM | Nope I don't sell tires Never did.
I'm just tired of helping clean up the broken bodies.
You are right racer about the driving skills of the majority of Ontarians.
As a class A driver I'm reguired to be tested for my licence every 5 years (was 3).
I know guys that got it almost 70 years ago and have never been retested.
Does all that time really make them a safer driver or just lucky?
I think we all know the answer to that one.
I want everyone to be retested at some point in their driving career.
Driving is a privilage not a right. | |
|
| |
| Winter tires. Do you believe in them?
Posted: 12/5/2005 6:39:15 AM | I put winter tires [Toyo's] on the wifes Mazda Tribute 2 weeks ago.
Now her truck is an all wheel drive and I still choose to put on the winter treads, you may ask why? Well I invest over $30,000. in a new truck and would like to keep it in good condition. The superior handeling and STOPPING traction of winter tires will allow me to achieve that goal.
I see most of you are stating the fact that you can get going grat in all season tires, which goes a long way to showing your ignorance. Accidents in the winter are mostly caused in situations where you are required to TURN or STOP/SLOW your car/truck, your ability to get from 0 km/h to traveling speed has no bearing in the matter. Chances are you are the ones spinning or sliding your tires at every intersection while trying to get going or stop, glassing it up for the next guy [which could be you BTW] | |
|
| Winter tires. Do you believe in them?
Posted: 12/5/2005 6:40:32 AM | I do agree, Eeryone should have to be retested at some point.
Alot of people these days learn to drive with front wheel drive cars with all the modern things like ABS.
Some of these cars are so easy to drive now that I think some skills just dont get learned anymore.
I learned to drive in a 72 for LTD, and for the first 2 years of driving I had a 66 chevelle. That car had 4 wheel drum brakes and bias ply tires all around.
When you are 16 years old driving a car like that, you learn the limitations real fast.
You learn how to control it when you get a bit side ways and when you need to panic stop.
I see alot of people who dont know what to do in front wheel drive cars when the slide out a bit.
Maybe I should start another topic. Is front wheel drive realy beter?
I say no. Its cheaper to build then a rear drive car.
Rear wheel drive seems to be making a come back. I can see alot of people having to re-learn how to drive all over again. | |
|
| Winter tires. Do you believe in them?
Posted: 12/5/2005 6:44:54 AM | | Im with you but only in part. The retesting should only be implemented after a driver has had an accident. I also think that as an insured driver you should be able to take a winter driving course and get a break on your insurance. | |
|
| |
| Winter tires. Do you believe in them?
Posted: 12/5/2005 6:49:33 AM | @ northernlust: Actually, that is a harsh generalization... I am currently driving an old (88) VW Jetta.. Deisel. And the tires are all seasons.. It's the parents' car. I know the car's ability - it is not sure-footed on the slick-stuff. I drive slower than average when the roads are slick, I gear down long before the stop, I ease the brake down and I do not slide. Sure, there are times.. Sure, there are accidents I have to avoid, but if the roads are slippery, I drive as slow as I need to to stop safely in a short distance. If the weather is too bad, I stay home, or I walk. If it's work, I leave VERY early to get there on time while still driving slow... (Just took a trip this weekend.. parts of Highway 11 around Orillia... we did 20 - 30 km/h because it was slick. So your suggestion that I might be one of the fools sliding through an intersection is an insult. Winter tires do have their uses yes... but at nearly $500 for a decent set on rims, the space to store them all summer (and the summers all winter), and the cost of replacing them every time you replace your vehicle - it's completely unreasonable for most modest income families... and much as I wish that were not me, it is. It is alot of people... Alot of us are paycheck to paycheck... We are making ends meet, but just barely. In this modern world, you need two incomes to make a decent living, unless you have a very high-profile career that nets you well over 50K / year.... That's comfortable, but not well-off.. 80 K is well off, take vacations, new cars, nice house. i see most single folk looking at 30k to start, and 40k after a bit.. That kind of income, new tires are just not an option, so we drive for the weather.... or so we should be doing.. I know I do..
. Robert | |
|
| Winter tires. Do you believe in them?
Posted: 12/5/2005 7:01:29 AM | A harsh generalization yes, but also one that is true.
BTW I refered to most people not all people.
Granted winter tires are expensive, and you may drive slow in an attempt to off set your lack of traction. [I commend you on your efforts, and ability to use your head] But that again has no bearing on weather or not winter tires are far better than all season.
If insurance companies and the government would work together to offer insurance breaks to people who did use winter tires and take winter driving courses, the heavy cost of winter tires would come down aswell as the cost of insurance!! | |
|
| Winter tires. Do you believe in them?
Posted: 12/5/2005 7:10:45 AM | The retesting should only be implemented after a driver has had an accident.
Isn't that kinda like shutting the barn door after the horse is gone?
Why wait till some ones skills have deterioted to the point that a collision (they are not accidents!) happens.
Don't we as vehicle owners do preventive maintance on our vehicles so they won't break down? Well the same should be done with our skills.
Every year during the first heavy snowfall I find an empty parking lot and practice skids and spins. Racer (just using you as an example), do you just jump onto an unfamiliar track or do you take practice laps?
I'm postive you do and that is why your a superior driver to most. You practice your skills BEFORE they are needed in an emergency.
Are you aware that not everyone gets to drive on the Autobahn in Germany? You must hold a special licence and your vehicle licence plates show it. You have to prove you are capable of driving that fast.
A winter driving test is the least the MOT should be doing for new drivers.
Don't get me started on insurance comapanies
Finally you don't have to spend major dollars for winter tires. Walmart and Canadian Tire have tires in the $30-50 range and they are still better than an all season tire. Check out a Buy and Sell or a Tri ad for used ones. | |
|
| Winter tires. Do you believe in them?
Posted: 12/5/2005 7:30:54 AM | LOL - so I'm not the only one who goes to have fun in the parking lot?!?! LOL Yes, I see it as fun when I am there.. Helps the panic issues.. When I get into the parking lots, I can tour around, and spin the car, twist it around, recover it, and on and on... Start playing with the parking brake to get a good fish tail going... used to have rear wheel drive, that was fun.... Easy to put it in the spin / fishtail, and just as easy to get it out. Now a days, if I do skid out in the snow, I'm comfortable in it, and don;t panic at all.. VERY important imho.
And, as for re-testing... I have very little problem with it, other than the constant recurring and increasing costs associated with driving. I'm sorry, but in this country, driving is nearly a nescessity unless you live where public transit is avaiable. Where I am, it is not. If I walk to the store, just for milk, taking the short cut, 20 minutes to get there. 20 back. Or, $6 for a cab each way. WalMart or Candian Tire? Over an hour walking. Each way. So, having a car is almost a requirement. (and if I want to work where the jobs are good, that's an hour drive each way) Insurance is not cheap, to say the lest.... there is the $75 / year for your stickers - just a little sticker on the plate, and it's $75.... Licences you have top renew every what, 5 years now? There's a few more bux... Forget the cost of Gas.. LOL And thenyou factor in a test every what, 5 years too? REtest to get your licence renewed? You know that'd be long about $100 for that - have to pay a driver examiner to ride with you... If incurance would go down because of a retesting policy, then I can see it.. but you know that would never happen... "We are not raising insurance costs this year due to the new retesting laws. Our company was scheduled to increase rates by as much as 50% this year..." or some babble like that...
And finally, the winter tires cost.. Even at $30 each... (if you happen to own a very small car) or $50 for an average mid-sized sedan... That's still 200 just for tires... And either you are swapping out your summers (hey, that's not free either) or buying new rims ($30 each and up) to mount em on. Buying a set of winters even second hand are gonna run you $200. I just don;t have that kind of money to spend on a new set of tires for the car. If I had that money kicking around I would much rather put it towards a newer vehicle, one that was designed better, and handled better year round. I'm sure when I own a newer more reliable vehicle, it wil be a consideration... But like they say, if it ain;t broke, don;t fix it... and on that VW I have now... Even winter tires just won;t cut it - there is no weight to the car to hold the tires down. We tried them one year... traction was only slightly better on average roads. as soon as there was packed snow, ice, or anything slick... forget it - same as the all seasons. Oh well.. Just my 2c. LOL
. Robert | |
|
| Winter tires. Do you believe in them?
Posted: 12/5/2005 7:39:27 AM |
Racer (just using you as an example), do you just jump onto an unfamiliar track or do you take practice laps?
I'm postive you do and that is why your a superior driver to most. You practice your skills BEFORE they are needed in an emergency.
Its drag racing. Straight line stuff. The tracks are all the same.
I do watch a few cars go down the track before I will, just to see if the traction is good or if its slick. Even in a straight line a car can get side ways real fast.
I wouldnt say I am a superior driver to most, I just do one thing that alot dont do these days.
I pay atention to whats around me.
It seems alot of drivers these days dont look past the hood of their car.
For re-testing, I say between 5 and 10 years. In Ontario, alot would feel its just another tax grab like the drive clean. (dont get me started on that lol)
Yes I think the insurance companies should work with the MOT and offer defensive driving and winter driving courses.
What I dont like to see are people who get over confident because they are using winter tires or have 4x4s.
Anyone ever see the Canadas worst drivers on discovery.
Now that scares me.
Who gave these people a licence to bigin with?? | |
|
| Winter tires. Do you believe in them?
Posted: 12/5/2005 7:47:31 AM |
And finally, the winter tires cost.. Even at $30 each... (if you happen to own a very small car) or $50 for an average mid-sized sedan... That's still 200 just for tires... And either you are swapping out your summers (hey, that's not free either) or buying new rims ($30 each and up) to mount em on.
I priced them new for my truck and size I need are $100 each. Then the rims are $75 each.
Thats $700.
Then I need to buy new tires for my summer rims in the spring at $320 each. I`m glad I found a used set at $200.
The tires CT has on sale start at $39, but those are 14 inch wheels for a lada or somthing. | |
|
| Winter tires. Do you believe in them?
Posted: 12/5/2005 8:45:02 AM | LOL! I can't believe this thread is still going! I started it so that people who wonder if snow tires lived up to their hype might have some honest opinions to go on. I use to believe the tire man and they'd tell me all seasons were the same. My brother got his winters first and after his experiences I decided to throw on a set as well. Given the difference I felt, I decided a thread here might entice people to consider buying them too. All I can say is, if you ever, and I mean even once, spin your all seasons at all when starting to move no matter how careful you are, or you feel stressed when driving in snow, you will definately feel a benfit to your health and a difference on the road with winter tires. I just want people to be safe, so if this thread swayed anyone into action, it has done what I hoped it would do.
I was lucky when it came to rims in that I just pulled them off my previous Lumina Minivan.
Of course people who just drive to the Go-Train station and back every day and/or who completely avoid driving in bad weather really wouldn't get any value from them. | |
|
| Winter tires. Do you believe in them?
Posted: 11/20/2006 9:00:32 PM | I do believe in winter tires since my dad has Toyo tires on his 2005 Honda Civic. The stopping distance is shorter than all-season tires.
They are very expensive though (especially when I have to buy steel rims for them). But, I have all-seasons (Good Year Assurance Triple Tread). Let's see how these are this winter (just got them). I drive a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM and the tire size for my car is P225/50/R16, so the average tire is about $200 each. Maybe I'll get them next year. | |
|
| Winter tires. Do you believe in them?
Posted: 11/20/2006 9:08:59 PM | | If you can afford them...sure. If you can't....well....those all season tires will just have to hold out until you can get all four for christmas. "Dear santa...please, please, please send me some winter radials before I crash into the baby jesus set up again!" | |
|
| Winter tires. Do you believe in them?
Posted: 11/20/2006 10:53:20 PM | All season tires.....are ok....if you don't drive in the heavy or slushy snow.
What I have always done....is have a second set of good winter tires mounted on their own rims...and change them the first snowfall.
Yes the ride isn't as comfortable, but do you want to be comfortable or S A F E ???
I even put 4 snows on my Crown Victoria....it was absolutely amazing. Never got stuck anywhere....no matter how bad the weather was. It was almost like having a four wheel drive car. I mostly drive real wheel drive cars and having snow tires on the front as well gives you way better control in steering in the snow and slush.
Only way to go folks.....
...just my 2 cents
Oh....and just one more thing....traded in my car...and my two-wheel drive truck....for a brand new 4X4....so...if any of you get stuck in the snow.....with your all seasons....just give me a call...@ 1-900-COME PULL ME OUT.....and I will come and save the day for you.....with my four brand new snow tires on....lol's I won't charge you toooooo much......$$$$$.....
...just enough to buy some new all seasons come spring time......
take care all....and safe driving no matter what tires you are using.....just be careful out there
eagles | |
|
Home
login 