Ok, I'm gonna get lots of critique on this post, but anyway.
Winter tires suck!!!
Have you ever tried Winter Tires before Tara? If you did, & didn't get good results it is because you didn't buy the right ones for your road conditions. I presume that in your area, you are dealing with more ice than snow.
In my opinion, once you try them you will keep on using them. Although you boys and girls in Toronto don't have to deal with very severe winters compare to us in the north east of the province. I live in the suburb of Ottawa & the road takes forever to get cleared
For sure a 4 x 4 works well in the snow... imagine with a good set of winter tires on top of that. I would be ready to bet a case of beer with you that you would use less gas as the traction control would not work as hard to keep you from spining and sliding. Traction control basicly applies the brakes to the spinning tire(s) that equates to more fuel being used.
My Grand Prix had traction control on it & when I put my first set of winter tire on it, it was like night and day.
For the fog light, all it does, it lights up the road closer to your vehicule. That is a good option to have for sure.
I agree with PowMacP about this, the difference between the all-seasons and my winters is considerable. This past winter the traction/stability control was rarely active as opposed to the previous winter when it was always kicking in and out. I wouldn't drive in the winter without the proper tires.
DC-IT, my Michelin's cost $190 each from Kaltire in Nov 2007. Also, my fuel consumption has averaged 11.33 L/100km (20.78 mpUSg) since new in April 2006, mostly city driving.
Semco: Are they $235/tire and $375/tire @ Kaltire?
I checked on Nokian's site and there are several dealers in Toronto that carries their tires so I'll check with them.
yes, $235 is from Boston dealer, and $375 is from GTA dealer (Mississauga). Check the Nokian website for dealers and give them a call. I asked about that last Jan when I was driving from Boston thru Toronto.Kaltire is the cheapest place.
Around here snow is about an inch every 5 years so I have a 2WD version and do not even think about winter tires - can't help you with that. I will say that the traction control works, however. When towing my boat, if I get into something soft (like wet grass) it is nice to avoid spinning tires. On the other hand, every once in awhile I would like to hear the tires make a little noise and it prevents that pretty well too.
Semco: Are they $235/tire and $375/tire @ Kaltire?
I checked on Nokian's site and there are several dealers in Toronto that carries their tires so I'll check with them.
To save you some time, I was checking the Nokian dealers and the cheapest I found is Delta Tire Center (64 Racine Rd, Toronto) @ Martin Grove Rd and Rexdale. Check them out!
Winter tires or all-seasons -- personal preference. You have to drive carefully in winter regardless of what tires you have!
Why would I bother switching the tires every season if I feel comfortable driving my all-seasons?
Winter tires would perform better on ice, but the roads in Toronto are covered with salt not ice
BUT! During the snow storm, when you have snow up to your bumper, I would argue my all-season all-terrain tires would kick *ss
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newgrandvitara dot net
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'06 Grand Vitara 2.7L V6, 2" RR Lift Kit, 30" wheels
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Thanks JimD. Lucky you.
Last Winter in Toronto was brutal (it was worse in Otawa & Montreal).
I got stuck several times in my FWD Dodge Caliber and had to have my shovel in my car to dig out.
A couple of days I had to stay home and shovel over 2 foot of snow on my drive way!
I expect this winter will pose no problem for my GV.
My Suzuki saleman said I shouldn't need Winter Tires for the firat year as the stock tires should cope quite well.
He recommends that I only get Winter tires on the second year.
I am leaning towards getting Winter tires this Fall as that will let the stock tires take a rest from Nov~Mar. This means they will last longer too.
__________________ DC-IT
Current Vehicles:
2008 Honda Accord EX-L V6/Navi
2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
Thanks for the info on the fog lights. Over here in RP, most vehicles have OEM front fog lamps, and I was wondering if the lights penetrate the fog.
We do get some foggy conditions at the mountainous areas, but never had the chance to try my GV's fog lamps yet in actual fog.
Cheers,
GV real SUV
[quote=PowMacP;126844
For the fog light, all it does, it lights up the road closer to your vehicule. That is a good option to have for sure.
Thanks for the info on the fog lights. Over here in RP, most vehicles have OEM front fog lamps, and I was wondering if the lights penetrate the fog.
We do get some foggy conditions at the mountainous areas, but never had the chance to try my GV's fog lamps yet in actual fog.
Cheers,
GV real SUV
Hi GVrealSUV, I use yellow 300K HID kit in my Rav4 foggies and installed 4100K HID into Ridgeline. I like them. However, in AB we dont have too much fog conditions, like I was used to have in Boston. I all the time use my foggies, it gives me better corner lights on the road. However, HID kit over 3000K is useless in fog lights, you would be totaly blind, it is like white wall infront of your hood. Nada, nothing, zero visibility. I was scared few times while I was dring on highways, I just pulled over, stopped and was waiting for 2 hour.But light fog is ok, you need just slow down.Also I am using emergency signal while driving as well for rear motorists.
Have you ever tried Winter Tires before Tara? If you did, & didn't get good results it is because you didn't buy the right ones for your road conditions. I presume that in your area, you are dealing with more ice than snow. 
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