How important are winter tires? What are the experiences of Desis driving without winter tires on highways and major roads?


Thank you for your replies.

You can survive without winter tires (atleast I did, and am doing so). It's only the odd day when you get the feeling .......Oh I wish I had winter tires. Without winter tires you have to be extra cautious on those bad days. Things like drive slowly, keep the extra gap, be careful when you make a left turn.

That being said, I've also experienced driving with winter tires. One of my cars has winter tires and ABS brakes. It's really a pleasure driving that car in the winter. Not that I take the risk of driving carelessly, but sometimes you just can't predict the road conditions

My 2 cents......

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Reiki Grand Master

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Originally posted by Iceberg



How important are winter tires? What are the experiences of Desis driving without winter tires on highways and major roads?


Thank you for your replies.

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Are you there?

Depends on the driving you do and your cargo too.

If you take long trips to the east...e.g: montreal. Yes.

Also if you are staying in the burbs of Montreal...YES. Snow clearing may not be as frequent as the downtown and there is quite a bit of accumulation.

Also there is quite a big difference when it comes to driving with winter tires in ice/snow.

In winter, I use only winter tires on my vehicles. In toronto, I never felt the need and used my all seasons...but then I did not have kids and such precious cargo.

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Thank you.

I drive an older Nissan but with ABS and front wheel drive. I drive regularly on the 401 and QEW. Last year though I did not have a car I felt that the real need of snow tires would have been for a max of 5 -7 days during the entire 4 month period. Now that keeps me away from buying snow tires - it is an investment of $500 and need a place to store my regulars.

Still because I do not know what winter has in store for us!

Since the OP asks for experience of Desi's I give my experience:
In the GTA, Snow tires are not necessary esp. with last year's winter conitions. Good all season tires are enough. But since the OP said that he / she makes use of QEW/401, Snow tires are recommended. In short , if you can afford it and are very cautious, then please do buy it. I have a feeling that we might see a lot of snow this winter. Also if the OP feels that for the 4 or 5 days in a 4 month period, that he/she will not use the highway, then you can comfortably forget having to buy Snow tires.
My experience :
I have been driving with worn out tires for 3 years now and i have never faced any difficulty driving in the snow. I am sure that you all know the basic rule in snow : Never break hard. Also of course, It is recommended that we keep a safe distance. This winter i am really afraid of driving with my worn out tires (esp. after the scratch that i made to another car, I am having a lot of outside pressure to prepare my car for this winter). But i will be going only for all season tire from Costco or second hand tires.
TK A

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I am a Gents and not a Ladies.

I think as long as you have good all season tires and maintain your vehicle well, including tire rotation and replacing tires in a timely way, you should be fine.

I learned to drive (at age 17) in the dead of winter . Its the best time because once you can drive in winter, everything else is easy. One thing I learned from experience is never brake when you start to skid on ice. braking (which is very instinctive) can cause your car to spin around. just steer through the slide.

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~ Morning rain