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Amity83 t1_iwzly44 wrote

You do not need studded snow tires in CT. Regular snows will work well. I drive in blizzards every year to ski in VT and my regular snows are great. Narrower and smaller are best. You could consider getting some smaller steel rims and swapping the wheels out.

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ijuanaspearfish t1_iwzrywx wrote

Blizzaks or nokians

No need for studs in tires unless for specific scenarios like unpaved roads and what not.

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Vegetable-Appeal9301 t1_iwzv2mf wrote

Exactly they work better in specific conditions but regular snow tires work better in most normal driving conditions.

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singeworthy t1_ix0j8bz wrote

Second the Nokian All Weather tires, I have been buying them for a long time and they're great in rain, snow, and normal conditions. The most recent model I got was the WRG4, great tires.

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ijuanaspearfish t1_ix0jsal wrote

Ill weather are different from dedicated snows.

Niokian, toyo,Michelin, and others now offer all weather which is better than all season tires, yes, it make no sense.

Michelin climate 2's are fantastic all weather but have a unique tread pattern.

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singeworthy t1_ix0ksch wrote

Very true, I don't buy snow tires because I don't want the hassle/extra expense and I think the all weather works fine. I've been in some bad stuff in my old Mazda 2wd and clearance was the issue, never the tires. If you look at the tread pattern on the WRG4 tires it's certainly unique.

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ijuanaspearfish t1_ix0mu0r wrote

My buddy has the same exact tires on his volvo S60 and he loves them

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SaddenedBKSticks t1_ix20vhg wrote

I was turned off the WRG4 by all of the reports on Reddit and YouTube of them wearing out fast/cracking, even though they were apparently great. I read the performance drops off a cliff once you reach a certain percentage of threadwear(which comes fast due to how soft they are). The general concensous when I researched tires recently is that people loved them, but they wore down faster than the other all-weathers(which already wear faster).

They are also a fairly low rated all weather by consumer reports, because they do poorly in non-winter tests compared to other all-weathers. Other all-weathers like the cross climate 2 and Weatherready were much better all-rounders, with the crossclimate 2 topping the charts. It would probably make more sense to just a winter tire at that point if you are looking at the Nokian WRG4 unless you have money to spend on tires to keep them at their peak performance.

For example, the WRG4 received a 2/5(Fair) for wet braking when new. The crossclimate 2 received a 4/5(Very Good).

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CT_Patriot t1_iwzmusf wrote

Look for the mountain peak icon on the tires.

Besides that, one of the best winter tires are made by Nokian.

Just be smart to know when to drive and when not to.

And, when you do, take your time, keep a great distance from other cars.

Front wheel drive tends to "plow" when in bad snow, so just use your head on if it warrants driving or not and the urgency.

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Kayakinggypsy t1_iwzny2k wrote

Unfortunately I work for a hospital which requires me to drive no matter what. I do take precautions like sleeping there if there’s a big storm when I have to work but sometimes I just gotta drive. Thanks for your info

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CT_Patriot t1_iwzpk1m wrote

Maybe invest in a Subaru Outback or Forester in the future..The type of 4-wheel drive Subaru uses is different than other 4 -wheel style cars/SUV's.

The Outback has been known for its ability to deal with all kinds of snow and ice. I drive one for work purposes and yes they are that good.

But, as the saying goes...."it's the nut that holds the wheel" when operating in poor weather conditions.

You could also use temporary chain-style straps that have metal plates to grip ice. They can be left in your trunk until things get real bad and you MUST go.

Learn how to install/deinstall them so you are prepared.

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Kayakinggypsy t1_iwzqmei wrote

When it’s time for a new vehicle I def will look into 4 wheel drive. Just looking for a cheaper solution for now.

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CT_Patriot t1_iwzti75 wrote

For New England weather, nothing beats an Outback unless you go for more detailed dedicated 4-wheel drive Jeep/Pickup.

The biggest drawback for the Outback is the CVT transmission. Not a great transmission and you got to get used to the way it drives.

The Nokian tires that are the most aggressive dedicated snows are the Hakkapeliitta normally for SUV's. I believe they make some for cars too.

Bridgestone Blizzak or Michelin X-Ice tires are excellent for cars.

Put whichever tires on spare wheels so you use them only for winter to extend their life and switch back to all-weather tires or the multi season with the three peak winter snowflake tires.

Remember, winter tires have a softer more forgiving rubber, they wear faster once the snow is gone, so use them strickly on snow or they will wear out quickly.

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Kayakinggypsy t1_ix028sh wrote

Thanks for taking the time to respond! Appreciate it

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CT_Patriot t1_ix0761u wrote

You are quite welcome.

Never hurts to get as much input and responses as possible to make a choice that will impact you in many ways ...👍

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pelliosophelus t1_ix1ta2y wrote

Blizzaks are awesome. I have a Prius and can’t imagine a worse car for snow but with the blizzaks I was fully mobile.

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Boring_Garbage3476 t1_ix07r02 wrote

Snow tires, absolutely. Studs only help on icy roads. Otherwise they just make a lot of noise.

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Malapple t1_iwztbzi wrote

In order from worst to best (Not all tires listed)

Summer tires

Normal tires

All season tires

Winter/Snow tires

Studded tires (legal in CT from Nov 15 to Apr 30)

Most people only need All Season tires, or Winter tires if they're driving in bad weather. Studded tires are absolutely better than winter tires. In CT, if you are not required to drive in bad weather, I wouldn't bother with them.

Source: Time in VT on Canadian border, having driven both with them and without them. The difference is huge, especially if you're encountering ice.

Driving slow is also very important. Even small cars are heavy and carry a lot of inertia; braking is an even bigger issue than accelerating when you're driving on snow and ice.

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Synapse82 t1_iwzs905 wrote

Regular snow tires are fine, if you already have front wheel drive that’s great in the winter.

Some better tread will help, but for the most part it’s just about adjusting to how we drive in each different type of snow environment that becomes the trick.

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fekinEEEjit t1_ix03rld wrote

Studded tires are a no brainer! My wife is healthcare and I have a Winter biz and we must drive in any condition 24/7. Snow tires without studs are a marketing scam and a joke, just look to any northern tier state, everyone runs studs. Once u run them u will never go back, they only cost a little bit per tire to stud. Only down side is dry/wet braking falloff, just account for that. Unstudded winter tires are useless. Throw em on 15 Dec rip em off early Mar. My wifes car has crazy big and wide wheels so I have oem nominal size steel rims and studs for her car.

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Mic4h t1_ix1qbiv wrote

Steel wheels with Nokian studded from the factory, any vehicle will climb trees.

Like you, I HAD to be out in the bullshit. My Jetta with that setup was unstoppable. And everyone in my trade followed suite with it when they saw how capable.

Driving 70+ miles one way in any weather, any time, those will have your back.

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Kayakinggypsy t1_ix3zkah wrote

Thanks. I needed to hear that. I’m taking a travel healthcare job in Boston in January. 97 miles. I need to feel like the car is unstoppable. I am a careful driver, been driving for 30 years, but my car has zero get up and go. I can’t make it up hills and there are a lot of them here in New England. I need to make this vehicle reliable because a lot is riding on getting this job. I also can’t just go out and buy a new or used vehicle right now. I can afford 4 tires though! Thanks!!

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