[Spaceship]

I have a 2006 Accord.. Love that car! But it can be not so fancy for treacherous weather even with DWS tires. The car came with chains that I have to use every so often, but not a ton cause I ride only at Baker and it most of the time is barely freezing at the hill.

Today it was snowing the whole way, I pulled over 15 miles from the parking lot and put the chains on, and basically just took them off after 50 feet. I just couldn’t do the vibrating and noise:/ and my poor steering bits and pieces I felt like we’re just taking a pounding.. and like they were gonna vibrate right the fuck off. Haha

I’m thinking about getting cables instead. I realize I should just get snow tires, but wonder if I would still have to use cables with them in nasty weather? I’m seriously contemplating selling the car I Love for 4wd.. like a CRV, Element, or Rave4.(Subaru sets just seem to rough) My car is bulletproof and I hate to see it go.. but I Loooove boarding and sometimes skip days cause of the weather(like today) and it’s depressing af.

So what would you do in my situation?? Cables? Snowtires and cables? Sell your car and get something that is actually made for those conditions? Thanks in advance

I try to get 30 days a season in, but hampered by things like this, and for some reason the flu this year only. Boo!

 

[killclimbz]

I drove a FWD car for years with snow tires. It's better than 4wd or AWD without them. You could totally get a set of snow tires and throw cables or chains in the trunk for the just in case scenario. I doubt you'll need them. Clearance is the only thing that will really hang you up. Literally. As long as you are driving on roads that are plowed frequently, you should be fine. Blizzaks, Artic Claws are solid. Just about any tire that is snow rated will work though.

 

[Oldman]

At one point I had a Volvo 740 Turbo wagon that I drove coast to coast one winter. Being young and invincible, I did NOT put snow tires on it, electing to go with all seasons. However, I did pick up a set of tire cables for the car and I can tell you that when they are needed, they are the best. Easy to put on and off, take up very little space in the car when not needed, but when you do need them they are awesome at getting you to where you want to go. So long as the snow is not so deep as to "hang up" the car off the road, they will keep you moving.
As far as snow tires go, I'm a big fan of Continental WinterContact Si Plus tires. They do a great job, decently priced and quiet on the dry.

 

[ctoma]

I have BFGoodrich All Terrain T/A KO2 on my 2018 Jeep Wrangler and they are the best tires I have ever had on a vehicle.

 

[lab49232]

Used em all. And in certain situations you can have different needs. The most important thing to remember with chains/cables is you cant drive full speed with them on. It's hard on them, hard on the car, and causes the rumbles like you mentioned. Chains/cables you usually should be topping out at 45 mph max. But you want grip, you got maximum grip.

Blizzaks are great. For a studless snowtire, can't recommend enough.

4wd/AWD is really just for traction going forward. This does not help with stopping, and only some from random sliding. Really 4WD/AWD is the least beneficial for driving in snow and ice, but the thing people seem to think makes them invincible. Ill take a tiny corolla with snow tires over any SUV with 4WD but no snow tires.

 

[ladesaulniers]

Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 with studs on my FWD Pontiac Vibe. Great tire in the winter.

 

[Spaceship]

Also what about studded tires? Are they like having chains on full time??

Man, I was doing like 22 mph and I felt bad for the car. haha Looks like I’ll try snow tires and cables(I assume they are smoother than the monstrous chains I have) and see where that gets me. If I have to skip days still, the. I’ll sell my Love and buy something with 4wd and snow tires… a whole different bag of cats that mission will be if it comes time that. 🙄

Blizzacks seem like the jam and recommended by most folks. Maybe I can I can find some rims in CL to put them on so i can just change to tires at my house when the seasons change.

 

[Yotaismygame]

Also what about studded tires? Are they like having chains on full time??

Man, I was doing like 22 mph and I felt bad for the car. haha Looks like I’ll try snow tires and cables(I assume they are smoother than the monstrous chains I have) and see where that gets me. If I have to skip days still, the. I’ll sell my Love and buy something with 4wd and snow tires… a whole different bag of cats that mission will be if it comes time that. 🙄

Blizzacks seem like the jam and recommended by most folks. Maybe I can I can find some rims in CL to put them on so i can just change to tires at my house when the seasons change.

You can definitely find used snow tires for cheap. Just keep in mind Blizzaks are considered worn out at 45%. The soft compound on them is gone after that point. Between myself and my step Dad we've never used chains for the last 23 years. And until this year neither of us ever purchased snow tires. But snow tires will beat anything including all terrain tires.

 

[Mike256]

Also what about studded tires? Are they like having chains on full time??

Ive got studded (haka10). In snow they drive the same as non-studded. Where they shine is on ice. If you dont get many ice days or you live where seriously cold winter days are few I wouldn’t go studded. Winter tyres like the blizzaks are fantastic. You will notice a massive difference. Keep the chains in the car if you already have them in case you get stuck. Awd is obviously much better but you still need winters with awd because once rolling they stop and turn the same as 2wd…

edit: other thing to consider with studded is you cant just throw them on at the end of september like you can with regular winters - they dont do well in warm weather. You need to wait until snow is falling and winter cold has set in. They overheat a lot.

 

[killclimbz]

Studs definitely help when it is icy. I have them on my Artic Claws for my truck. I have the BF Goodrich AT K/O's on my truck right now, which are also snow rated, so I haven't used them in a couple of years. Probably two seasons left on them. I will say that the Artic Claws with studs are a better snow tire than my BR Goodrich tires. Not by a lot though and it is mostly due to the studs when it gets nasty icy underneath. Studs are really only worth it if you live in snowy zones. Overall, I don't find them all that necessary.

 

[Spaceship]

You can definitely find used snow tires for cheap. Just keep in mind Blizzaks are considered worn out at 45%. The soft compound on them is gone after that point. Between myself and my step Dad we've never used chains for the last 23 years. And until this year neither of us ever purchased snow tires. But snow tires will beat anything including all terrain tires.

I meant just find some rims for the new snow tires so I don’t have to pay the shop $100 to swap them out every time.

How would you get around without chains or snow tires? Do you have 4wd and just take it easy..

 

[Yotaismygame]

I meant just find some rims for the new snow tires so I don’t have to pay the shop $100 to swap them out every time.

How would you get around without chains or snow tires? Do you have 4wd and just take it easy..

4wd yes, take it easy no. My step Dad grew up in Wisconsin that guy can drive in the snow like no other. I'll never have his confidence in the snow. My wife is from Spokane WA, both her and her mom have never had snow tires or used chains. Spokane is a place where there is often snow and very cold temps during the winter. I picked her up a Rav4 and put some good snow rated tires on it (not snow tires) this year to replace her 2012 nissan sentra that she bought new and only ever had all seasons on. She was like, "ive never had tires this grippy before". Blows my mind someone could live in a climate like that and never care about what tires were on their cars. CRV, Rav4 is a good choice though.

 

[bseracka]

couple things, snow tires are great and improve safety and grip in winter driving situations. in most places if you don't have 4wd/awd, snowtires or not, you're still required to carry chains/cables and can be ticketed for not using them. cables are lighter and less durable than chains, having used both i think the biggest factor in reducing vibration (after speed) is ensuring they fit correctly and are tighted down, this often means adjusting them a few feet after the initial install

 

[money4me247]

Used em all. And in certain situations you can have different needs. The most important thing to remember with chains/cables is you cant drive full speed with them on. It's hard on them, hard on the car, and causes the rumbles like you mentioned. Chains/cables you usually should be topping out at 45 mph max. But you want grip, you got maximum grip.

Blizzaks are great. For a studless snowtire, can't recommend enough.

4wd/AWD is really just for traction going forward. This does not help with stopping, and only some from random sliding. Really 4WD/AWD is the least beneficial for driving in snow and ice, but the thing people seem to think makes them invincible. Ill take a tiny corolla with snow tires over any SUV with 4WD but no snow tires.

That's me!! I drive a corolla with snow tires. got caught in a blizzard once without snow tires and slide right off the highway into a ditch but luckily a friendly truck with chains stopped by and dragged me out ... never again! definitely need snow tires minimum if driving in snowy conditions. makes a huge difference. just having snow tires has been sufficient for me, but I go slow if the weather is insane.

 

[tanscrazydaisy]

Diamond pattern chains are smoother than ladder style chains & cables, as well as diagonal cables.

 

[tanscrazydaisy]

to answer the 2nd question... it's not made anymore... Green Diamond remolded tires. it had chunks of silicon carbide granules dispersed throughout the tread that dug into the snow, ice and wet road so much better.

But after using (Firestone) Winterforce, Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSI, General Altimax Arctic, Hankook Icebear W300, Nexen WinGuard Sport, Nokian WR G3, Nitto SN-2, Nokian WR G4 SUV, Michelin CrossClimate2...

The Nitto SN-2's were great. But since you cannot get the new SN-3 tire in the US (just Canada), I prefer the Nokian WR G4 SUV over the CrossClimate2

SN3 | Nitto Tire Canada (nittotires.ca)

 

[wrathfuldeity]

I've drove up to baker for years in a volvo 740 wagon with all season tires. I've chained up 4 times in 20 years. Baker reality... ime is its just the last few miles that you might need snow tires and rarely chains. Go to les schawb and get their "Alpine Chains- diamond patterns. Very easy to put on or take off. Iirc its the 3rd or last chain up area; well past the DOT. Imho 4-wd is overkill, fwd is fine and rwd is fun with skillz. Don't get cables or socks. Socks just seem wierd, cables are much more likely to break and then damage things. With chains you just have to drive slow, steady and sensibly... no quick starting or stopping.

However have Altimax snow tires for my little fwd volvo wagon on rims but have not put them on for 3 years. But do carry chains if needed. But its all about the driving skills. Specifically keep your distance, slow down but keep on rolling... don't stop... creep along and don't get over confident... got to be mindful of mass and physics in starting and stopping.

How was it up there? We still got to get up there togather and I'll give ya driving lessons. I grew up driving in midwest snow storms and driving a 2wd drive pick-up with a feed trailer in greasy muddy feedlots.

PS I might have a set of the Alpine diamond pattern chains and a set of snow tires on rims you can have... got 3 sets of chains and only 1 car. What size tires ya got?

 

[Spaceship]

Yes man for sure!🤙🏼

“Socks just seem weird”. Lol yeah wtf is up with those things?! So strange.

You’re totally right, it’s usually raining until dug fir campground if not until right before the ski area and no problems getting up. Ha but today was especially snowy all the way to Bellingham. Made it fine until a couple miles after Canyon Creek road. Not plowed especially well.. Then I chained up and thought.. “man I just can’t put my car through 12 miles of this and do 22 mph while people are pilling up behind me.” Haha usually I’m blazin at like 40 all the way up those switch backs unless it’s iced out and snowy below 27 degrees. Snow tires is making sense as my best move to not miss days.. ❄

I have a set of the diamonds and use them when I need, but maybe they are like one size too big but seem to fit pretty snug.. just vibrate a bunch(the ladder chains are even worse it sounds?), but I guess that’s the price to pay for using them.
My tire size is P215/50R17. That would be pretty sick! but a long shot Either way thanks man and great making the connection. ✨

These came with the car are crazy good for traction, just Chunky af Love how you can put them on around the tire!

 

[TrimbleFunky]

Get top of the line winter tires. Always replace at 5/32", you need tread depth to clear snow. On Blizzaks, you will run out of multi-cell compound and be running on all season rubber, so there won't even be grip on ice.

If your accord has traction control, you can literally plant your foot on the accelerator as the computer cuts the throttle. It'll be like AWD without the go, and you will be passing a lot of AWD/4WD on fresh/hardpacked snow.

If you can, AWD + winter tires. If you are going somewhere remote possibly, yeah you will need 4x4 with hi/lo gearing and extra clearance.

 

[foreveryoung]

A note from Finland where law mandates that during winter months you have to use winter tyres meant for nordic conditions (e.g. Nokian Hakkapeliitta). So basically every car here has two sets of tyres: winter + summer. Chains/cables are no thing meaning nobody uses them. I don't even know anybody who would have them.

Studded winter tyres are still in majority but non-studded tyres are gaining more popularity year by year. Non-studded have nowadays more or less the same grip and what I like the most they are extremely silent because of softer rubber they use.

I had once a car exported from Canada and it had DWS tyres installed. I can assure you they were total crap to drive in winter compared to nordic winter tyres. They had no grip at all even on fresh snow not to mention icy road.

So to original question: if only you drive roads that are plowed even sometimes you should be just fine with proper winter tyres. Accord is fairly common car in Finland too and quite capable of handling wintery roads. 4WD would be nice in winter of course but most cars here are 2WD.