Hey Guys,

A quick question on going to Tahoe - when you drive your Suby up, does chain control actually check to make sure you have snow tires?

I'm deciding between getting a set of super summer / snow tires or just really good all seasons since it's a hassle to swap tires in and out. I know it's a long time away from the next season but just want to be prepared

Thanks for your help.

 

I have never been checked yet if I had snow tires... I just gave them 4 fingers and they know whats up. I would much rather swap tires each time and get dedicated snow and dedicated summer tires... All weather tires really arent intended for snow use at all.

 

They've never stopped me to check and I've been through a lot

 

it doesn't snow in tahoe anymore.

 

Same here. All-Seasons "work" but... No. If you do this regularly, just get winter/summer sets.

I always make sure I have the needed equipment - I even have a set of chains for my 4x4 Justy, but never had to use them. It would just suck to get turned away the one time the actually do check! Never been checked or turned around - the most was just stopped in a line once and they asked us if AWD, if yes, move along. There were lots of people putting on chains.. That was once though in like 10 years.

LOL! Sadly..

 

I had all seasons and still found myself sliding laterally at low speeds, which is what you get on 80 in the snow. I love my blizzaks now, unstoppable! You can get through chain control but it only helps you to have proper equipment!

 

I bought a set of Blizzaks 2 years ago- They are totally awsome. Grip in snow is 2nd to none- I feel totally safe. With that said, I have only needed them once this year & a couple times last year. I current run BF Goodrich G-force comp 2 as my everyday tire and this year had no problem- Chan controll has always just waived me thru-no questions asaked. If you plan on driving up during storms- Get the extra set of wheels W/ Winter tires. its worth it. Allseason tires dont compair. I got an old set of 2002 WRX oem 16" wheels for $100

 

Yea all seasons even dws are just ok....still slippery. Never been stopped in anything ive ever driven mostly cause ive driven 4x4 and awd. As far as snow tires mine have always been all terrain or all seasons.

This year I got dedicated summer tires so I decided to buy a set of stock enkeis and put blizzaks or the like on them for winter.

 

Thanks for the information guys - given the feedback, I may just use one set of tires and keep chains in the trunk (in the small chance I get stopped). Don't really see the value of snow tires for once a year use if I drive safely during snow conditions.

 

The extra tires and wheels would come in handy and if just once a year...then youll have them for life.....dont wanna get caught in the snow with your pants down. Might just be the last snow trip you take.

 

I have Michelin PA3s and theyre awesome in the snow, but do you guys with winter tires carry chains/cables too?

 

Tbh....those tires dont perform very well in anything.
The dws is awesome in the snow too. When the roads arent whited out and black ice every 10 feet......

Winter tires ftw.
And its a good idea to carry chains just to get unstuck if **** happens. But truthfully I dont carry cables with winter tires. The grip on black ice is peace of mind enough.

 

Remember- Its a lot eaiser & Warmer to swap 4 wheels in your garage, then putting on chains in the snow on the side of the road.

 

+1 yep!

 

i used to live in Tahoe and came down to the bay area to see family once a month. During winter I had a dedicated snow tire set. 235 series blizzaks. best purchase ever. 80 can get pretty bad when the plows can't keep up, and at the mid point from the foothills to truckee the snow is usually pretty wet and crunchy. snow tires give a larger margin of steering control and braking control, but you are not invincible. at chain control, once they see its a scooby and see your tires, they always wave you through. and having the dccd to play with along with tires was priceless.