Snow Tire Help

[macattack33]

Hi everyone!  I need some advice on how to equip my car for the winter.  After the winter we had last year (in Wisconsin), I want to be prepared in all ways possible!

I have a Chevy Lumina, pretty standard with front wheel drive.  I am in need of tires. They are not in horrible condition, but it would be best to get new ones for winter.  I am not sure if I should go with 2 snow tires and keep 2 of the best that are left, or if I should get 4 new all-season tires.  If I get the snow tires, is it ok to just get 2, and if so, should they go on the front or back?

This is only my 3rd winter delivering mail.  I'm an RCA who usually works 3 days a week.  Any advice would be great!

[gravel]

    Put snows on the front. Rears just hold up the trunk. All seasons won't dig in enough in the country snow. That works in north Iowa. JMO

[bob]

I always used studded snow tires but I had a rear wheel drive wagon.  They worked pretty well as long as the snow was not too deep.

[Leroy]

First you need a form from your postmaster to let you run stud tires if thats what you chosse, then you are not to drive your car, any where else but your rte. If you are caught using stud tires to go to the Bar, or etc. and get caught you will end up paying a fine to your local DA. Leroy

[bob]

Leroy,
  Use of studded snow tires is governed by each individual state, not the PM or PO.  I ran them for years, anytime from Nov.1 to April 15 in the state I am in.  I had mine on seperate rims and could change them in about 15 minutes if needed.  On my 3rd. set before getting an LLV.

Wisconsin now has an exclusion for vehicles delivering mail so it should not be an issue.

http://www.tire-information-world.com/tire-stud-regulations.html

[macattack33]

Thanks Bob!  I was looking for a link with information about studded tire use in Wisconsin!  Last I read, I wasn't able to use them.  I was actually going to ask my Supervisor tomorrow about it (probably still will).  I just don't understand why there are no other carriers in our office using them??  We just had two snow storms in the last week, and are in for more between now and Thursday.  Yippie!!

Good news though.  I ordered two snow tires that are able to be studded.  I guess that when I get a for-sure answer, I will proceed.  Boy how I wish I already had them!!

[bob1]

Good Luck!  As I said,  I really liked them, in fact I still have the wagon (use LLV on route, retiring in Feb.) and put the tires on last year when we had snow and drove it back and forth to work.  I would think the Wisconsin Dept. of Motor Vehicles would have the most up to date information.  I looked at several sites and got conflicting information but the link I provided seemed to be the most current and did give mail carriers the option to use studded tires in WI.

Not sure how it is now as it was about 6 years ago or so when I bought my last set but a lot of snow tires actually have the option for being studded, finding a place that can still stud them was the bigger problem.  You also have to be careful about using proper studs.  I have known people who had tires studded but the tire place used studs that were too long and actually punctured the tires.  They can be a little noisy but they are great once you get used to them.  They will still spin but once they dig through the snow/ice, you are on your way!

[Tookie]

Hey, I've been running 4 studded tires on my RHD Jeep for the past 4 years, they have their own rims & can change them real fast either in the spring or the fall. This is like I said the 4th  year & they are still in great shape.  I live in Michigan in the snow belt, just went to Discount tire, they order them & get them to you in a few days. And they really don't cost much more. My route is 52 miles long & mostly dirt roads & I've never gotten it completely stuck, but have had some real close calls!

[macattack33]

UPDATE:  Just wanted to let everybody know that I decided to try putting 2 snow tires (General Arctic's) on the front of my car.  I delivered for the first time yesterday with them in a snow storm.  (We ended up with 10"..I'm in WI)  I just have to say one word...AWESOME!  My car blew through that snow like a hot knife through butter!  If you are delivering in snow, I would HIGHLY recommend!  

[bob1]

macattack33 wrote:

UPDATE:  Just wanted to let everybody know that I decided to try putting 2 snow tires (General Arctic's) on the front of my car.  I delivered for the first time yesterday with them in a snow storm.  (We ended up with 10"..I'm in WI)  I just have to say one word...AWESOME!  My car blew through that snow like a hot knife through butter!  If you are delivering in snow, I would HIGHLY recommend!  

Good deal.  I thought you woule be pleased with them.

[Postaltexan]

testing the posting feature

[bob1]

It appears to be working now but when I tried to delete my duplicate posts it did not allow that.