Snow Tires, do we need them?

[Otter68]

The stock tires did GREAT in the Denver blizzards last season.

[wjr1004]

Had mine last winter...
Truck loved the snow
I do not feel you will need snow tires
Welcome and enjoy your truck
Wait for the snow you will love driving in it.
Of course fun in the sun is better....

[djeaux]

I'm pretty sure I don't need 'em. It hasn't snowed at my place in 15 or 16 years...

[Kellcut]

We had two fairly big snows this past winter. We have a driveway that is steep, gravel and has a turn at the top that is nearly 180degrees. The Michelin's did just fine.

In this thread are some pictures of the drive and the hill.
http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/f...414#post186414

Congrats on the new truck.

[Shivrs]

Just my two cents from Canadian who lives 15 minutes away from where our trucks are built. My definition of an all season tire is one that is not real great in the summer, or real great in the winter. Its a compromise between tire compound and tread design that allows us "to get by". When temperatures drop close to freezing, all season tires tend to get harder since they are manufactured from a more durable rubber compound which extends tire wear in dry weather. Winter tires are made from a softer compound which remain tacky when the temperatures drop. The problem is they wear out quicker in dry weather. My wife and nine month old little guy use the truck to commmute, and although our winters can be much harsher up here, I wouldn't think of putting them out on the highway unless I did the best I could to make that truck as safe as possible. In fact, the Ontario Provincial Police are lobbying to make winter tires mandatory across Ontario. Other comments tell you what you can do with the money you save by not buying winter tires. The way I look at it, the cost of the tires will pay my insurance deductible if I was able to prevent a collision, not to mention my priceless family. Just wish other people seen it this way too!

[Bikemedic]

While you may not need them, I have 4 blizzaks on the ridge. It is toataly unstopable with that setup. \\

[Kellcut]

Originally Posted by Shivrs

Just my two cents from Canadian who lives 15 minutes away from where our trucks are built. My definition of an all season tire is one that is not real great in the summer, or real great in the winter. Its a compromise between tire compound and tread design that allows us "to get by". When temperatures drop close to freezing, all season tires tend to get harder since they are manufactured from a more durable rubber compound which extends tire wear in dry weather. Winter tires are made from a softer compound which remain tacky when the temperatures drop. The problem is they wear out quicker in dry weather. My wife and nine month old little guy use the truck to commmute, and although our winters can be much harsher up here, I wouldn't think of putting them out on the highway unless I did the best I could to make that truck as safe as possible. In fact, the Ontario Provincial Police are lobbying to make winter tires mandatory across Ontario. Other comments tell you what you can do with the money you save by not buying winter tires. The way I look at it, the cost of the tires will pay my insurance deductible if I was able to prevent a collision, not to mention my priceless family. Just wish other people seen it this way too!

I think it really depends on where you live and how much it snows where you live. If you live in an area with a lot of snow then snow tires make a lot of sense. If not, then you have to use some common sense. If you look at the pictures in my prior post, the Michelins handled that pretty darned good and on flatter roads, they handled even better.

[gpiskur]

I live in northern Ohio. We get our fair share of snow here. I've tried to get the Ridge to slide, skid and do doughnuts, but it just won't do it unless I shut off the traction system. No snow tires needed in my opinion.

[Moondog]

I purchased my Ridge in Dec. 05 and the deal included a set if Blizzaks. Well worth it! The day I dropped it off to have the Blizzaks installed, the temps. went from low teens to 35 and raining. If you have never been on ice with free water over it you are really missing a good time. The stock tires were OK, but the Bridgestones rule. The way I see it, Honda put tons of engineering into ABS and VSA, but it is useless if you have a weak link to the road.
MD

[UglyTruckling]

Originally Posted by Moondog

I purchased my Ridge in Dec. 05 and the deal included a set if Blizzaks. Well worth it! The day I dropped it off to have the Blizzaks installed, the temps. went from low teens to 35 and raining. If you have never been on ice with free water over it you are really missing a good time. The stock tires were OK, but the Bridgestones rule. The way I see it, Honda put tons of engineering into ABS and VSA, but it is useless if you have a weak link to the road.
MD

Hey, welcome Moondog! Just an aside -- both my parents grew up in Sandpoint, and left when my Dad started college after WWII (they're in their 80's now) -- we spent many a summer vacaton there through the years -- their last visit was probably 10 years ago, but even then they could never quite get over how it's changed.