Snow Tires for year round use

Well, I have to admit to not keeping my finger on the pulse of winter/snow tire development. The last set of snow tires that I had was a few decades ago. Back in those days, they were kind of "knobby" looking affairs that looked more appropriate to, perhaps, farm equipment. They were to be changed with the season changes.

However, there were a few folks that either:

1. Were oblivious to the fact that they were driving year 'round on these knobby affairs - thus projecting a huge image of "un-coolness" or,

2. Their modest discretionary income was not spent on changing back to summer tires but, instead spent on extra games of Pac Man.

I'm sure nobody on the forum would fall into either or both of these categories.   

That said, I am glad you brought it up. I'll likely be shopping for new tires in the coming months and need to begin researching.

Originally posted by tcj We have plenty of days with snow and ice on the roads here throughout the winter.  I have Bridgestonen Dueler H/T 685 all season on my Toyota Tacoma 4 X 4.  I leave them on year round.  It gets around fine. Here's a good article on the difference between Winter snow tires and all season tires. https://www.bridgestonetire.com/tread-and-trend/drivers-ed/winter-snow-tires-vs-all-season-tires

Interesting info. I suppose I assumed that the ritual of changing to "snow tires" had faded along with the prevalence of rear drive vehicles.

The snow tires of today don't "look" much different than all season tires, as I'm learning. Perhaps folks have been using them (in my neck of the woods) and I didn't even realize it.

On my truck I have Goodyear AT Wrangler Trail Runner light truck tires [overkill for a Dakota] that have the mountain snowflake symbol on them.  The manufacturer says they're legal in Quebec as winter driving tires, but I suspect it's based on the aggressive tread pattern rather than a softer rubber compound.  I run them year round as we are often on dirt roads where I want the extra traction.  

Originally posted by GlueGuy If that's what you're saying, and I lived in a northern state like Michigan or Minnesota, I'd probably opt for all season tires and call it a day. The actual amount of time that you really need the enhanced traction of a true "snow tire" is so small, that the benefits are somewhat debatable. Where we are, we really only need the traction if we are traveling in the mountains during a snow event. We carry chains (cables actually) for that, and they don't get a lot of use. When I lived in northern Minnesota, I did use snow tires, but 95% of the time, they were wearing themselves out on dry pavement.