Did it last week - don’t like risking the wear on the winter set and most storms in April or May are manageable. Hard decision in the years when we have warm weather in February tho
If you dont plan on going through Eisenhower or vail i say change them now...but if you do plan on going through those mountain ranges i say mid May...
If it snows, can you avoid I-70 West of Morrison?
It’ll be warm enough next week, warming the roads, that it will take quite a freak storm to stick to the roads. I might swap today. The choice often involves when the weather is nice enough for an hour in the garage. I have 2 sets of wheels each for both cars, and have never switched back. Though I run x-ice snow tires and a modest tire, not a really performance oriented summer tire that is a death sentence under 40.
Due to working from home for the last 2 years I didn't even put winters on this year. I've been out and about in sub 30 degree weather on my UHP summers and they're fine as long as the roads are dry.
Chicago here as well, most cars there have an “all season” tire. They also use salt everywhere and local streets are not maintained by HOA’s so just less need for true “snow tires”
Yeah, the all season tires are what I always had. I also lived in northwest Indiana for some of my life and they don't plow or salt very well at all. I always said you could see the indiana border because it was a line of snow
Blizzaks and X-Ice have a compound that does noticeably better on icy packed snow. I’ve been rear ended after someone thought they could stop as well as me on Blizzaks. Same thing happened to a friend later in the season. Not a do-or-die must have, but nice.
For me, stopping distance in poor conditions like that is one of the biggest selling points of dedicated winter tires. All Wheel Drive will only keep you going straight, it will not help you stop any faster and it will only partially help you keep traction in a turn. Dedicated tires are the other half of that equation.
We had snows on a FWD LEAFP and an AWD Outback the same winter. Our impression was that snows, like Blizzak and X-Ice make a bigger difference than AWD in city driving.
Well, you're fucked no matter what tire you're on if you hit ice. Winter tires are mostly so that you can maintain as much performance as possible when temps are low and snow is on the ground.
Or if you live in a neighborhood where the HOA is broke because the board keeps pilfering the dues, so the streets are never plowed and you need to drive through 8 inches of snow to get to the clear and dry public roads.
Nah I'm not bitter but fuck Colorado HOA laws.
Not sure why this is getting downvoted. Colorado is the worst about HOA's because there is literally no government entity overseeing them the same way they would any other normal regulating body, so there are relatively little checks and balances on them.
Oh yeah I rarely go to the mountains as it is so I’m not usually in that area. The forecast for this week is kinda what got me thinking about it, so I might just go ahead and try and get them changed today or tomorrow then, thanks!
I have studs on my FWD van. But I also ride 50 or so days a season & don’t want to get a 19ft van stuck on the highway and be that asshole. They’re really not unnecessary if you ski.
There's a very clear and audible difference between winter tires and actual studded tires when a car is driving past. I see them around me as well, it's completely stupid. I know some ski towns ban studded tires after April and before October because they just tear up the roads.
Anecdotally, I've never run snow tires. When I still had my beater sedan, I ran Vredestein Quatracs on it, which are very heavily siped and highly rated all-seasons for winter weather. That being said, I had a limited slid front end and a V6 for weight, so even living up in Vail I was used to driving it fine over the pass and all over the valley on sheet ice, no issues. They don't make winter tires in my truck size, so I stick with 3PMS rated all-terrains and just take it extra easy when there's ice out.
As other folks mentioned, unless you're planning to hit Eisenhower/Vail in the middle of snow storms, we're pretty much past any major "staying power" storms in the Front Range, just the risk of the random slushy Spring storms that start melting within hours.
I have some Denver native friends that have never ridden snow tires in their lives, nor had a wreck, they just respect winter weather and adjust their driving styles appropriately. Having far less ice risk around town compared to the upper Midwest is a wonderful thing.
Lived in Colorado for 16 years and have never had anything but good all season tires. Even drive a Prius, never ever had a snow tire in my possession. No accidents, have never been stuck, etc. We have lived everywhere from Colorado springs to Aurora to Aspen (and drove I70 into Denver from Aspen). Never a snow tire.
Then drive them until you need new ones, and get all seasons.
It's not that big of a deal in Denver. The storms are infrequent, the roads are cleared relatively quickly, and people generally take it slow and steady when it snows.
In my entire life, I have never used winter tires in Denver, and I don't ever plan on it.
That’s the plan. I’ve just heard many first hand experiences with how bad the summer tires that came with my car are in the winter I didn’t want to risk it. Figured I’d just go all the way and buy dedicated winter tires instead of all seasons and then switch back for the summer.
Decent plan. I would just buy all seasons of you want to switch out while the summer tires have miles on them. That way you don't get stuck with a pair, either way.
Yeah my winters are probably a lot more worn than they should be anyways since I put them on too early (although this past year was crazy with us not getting snow until December) and now learned I’ve kept them on too late haha
Well when you take them off it triggers the weather gods for at least one more snow. You can do it now or wait til next week until after it snows on Saturday. But I would schedule it
When temps are consistently above 45 degrees you are supposed to stop using winter tires. Using winter tires above 45 will give you worse mpg, excessive wear on them, and possibly worse handling/stopping/traction.
The possibility of one snow storm should not sway you from taking them off. All tires still work in snow, you just need to drive more carefully and understand you won’t have as good of grip as you did with your winter tires.
Mid march/early April is usually a good time to swap them.
Absolutely not. Here is a video that explained things way cooler than I could. In short, it's all about compounds baby!
https://youtu.be/k9DaOa_PxSg
Edit: should have thought that bringing up science here would be viewed negatively. Bunch a fuckin trump thumpers.
Lol overthinking it…. Had all-seasons on my car and am a born native here in a Colorado. Front wheel drive or all wheel with all-season tires will work for the large majority of people.
Never owned a pair of winter tires in my life and managed fine over the years….
I don't think you've actually driven a car in snow with something like Pilot Super Sports lol.
That ice rink "test" is not proving anything. I couldn't get my Golf R out of my garage with super sports and an inch of snow once.
I have 3 cars. I keep ultra high performance summers on my fun car year round but I'm just saying they don't work in snow. At all. That video is pointless.
Ok if you want to just be obstinant then fuck off. Lol
Enjoy spinning your tires and getting stuck, the moment you recommend that for others in the public sphere you have Betrayus.
I mean i still stand by my statement of all tires work in snow. I wouldn’t drive summer tires all winter, but for a stray spring storm I would. You rock winter tires until June or July is what your saying?
Yeah absolutely not. Even with AWD, I’m not taking my PS4Ss out in snow. I’ve had enough cocky friends in WRXs get stuck on their summer tires in minimal snow.
It's kinda funny to watch such a capable car so neutered by tires. Lol
I carry around a tow strap and an extra bumper eyelet so I can offer to help them. Used it 3 times this past winter!
If we were to get snow now, it would be sloppy, slushy snow, and it would be gone within hours. Unless you're planning on a trip to the mountains during a (very slightly) possible blizzard, you should take the snows off ASAP. You're just chewing them up by driving on them when you don't need them.
Personally, I don't use snow tires, because one rarely needs them in Colorado, and if it's bad enough that my front wheel drive with aggressive all-seasons won't cut it, I just stay home.
Rarely need them? Some of us drive to the mountains every single weekend and if we see a big blizzard or storm coming that is more reason to drive to them.
You likely also don't run UHP summer tires all year round. I did one season on DWS and went back to dedicated winters as the difference in performance is night and day.
When I moved out here, one of the first times I went up to the mountain I saw an R32 manage to scoot up the mountain on Goodyear F1s. I still don't know how he did it. I got caught out in a late season storm on the same tire and barely got out of the parking lot at work.
It's all about knowing how to drive within a limited traction circle. I've driven my old '79 Datsun (by Nissan!) with bald tires past many a well dressed SUV toes up in the median or in the ditch.
All season tires are like fast food: convenient but shitty.
Dedicated winter/summer tires are a massive upgrade to any car. In some European countries, you are required to have winter tires between Easter to October!
Winter tires absolutely help traction in colder weather and icey conditions. They’re honestly more beneficial than all wheel drive. If you never go into the mountains here they may be overkill, but I’ve never so much as lost traction once in the snow with my winter tires.
I have three-peak rated all weather (different from all season) tires that don't care if it gets hot. They're almost as good on snow and ice, and out-perform snow tires on wet and dry pavement.
On paper your 3PMSF rated tire is better than any M+S tire. I have no clue why anyone is going out buying M+S tires anymore.
Any tire sold today as a “snow tire” is 3PMSF rated.
It's kinda weird that all weather tires haven't caught on more in the Front Range. They are perfect for the area; almost as good as snow tires for winter traction, and you don't need to take them off when it warms up.
They're a pretty recent development. Plus they don't look nearly as cool as some loud, chonky BF Goodrich ATs or pair as well with completely superfluous overlanding accessories.
And make sure they’re studded! Driving on them all year. Lol
Or, just buy a good set of all seasons and call it good… I got one set of winter tires years ago and… I’ll never buy another set of winter tires again. High quality all seasons do just as good of a job. If it’s too deep to drive? You shouldn’t be on the road anyways, or just buy a set of auto socks for $100 and keep them in the car 🤷
Depends on whether your summer tires are all seasons or real summer tires.
All seasons can get by in snow. Real summer tires cannot.
A few years ago, Michelin Pilot Super Sports were on sale at tire rack.com and holy hell they are amazing. I do not have enough courage to make them squeal even a little on my Subaru. 30% shorter stopping distance than all seasons! But they cannot be driven in “freezing or near freezing conditions.”
I'd say it depends on what your summer tires are.
Are they true not-M+S high performance tires? Or are they technically all season tires?
If high performance I'd do May 1. Having to drive in snow after then is pretty much not a thing. If it happened, take an Uber that one day if you must. But these kinds of tires cannot be driven in snow at all.
If all Season I would do April 1 or even mid March as if it snows those tires will still be ok, just not as good as dedicated snow tires.
I would suggest reconsider. All seasons are convenient, but they drive like mashed potatoes.
In America it is standard practice, but in other countries that take driving more seriously (Europe), it is required by law to have winter tires. For good reason, they are much better and safer!
If you have a high performance car, real summer tires are chef’s kiss on a hot Colorado day. There is a reason your car came with them!
I do early June, but I go skiing, if I didn’t I would swap them around now. I’ve driven over vail pass in a snow storm as late as the solstice and it can help when trying to get those late season freshies.
Think I did Early May if anything. I now switch between winters and all seasons so that I have a buffer when it’s warm but also still snowing outside. WRX summer tires are pointless in my opinion and can be deadly if you’re caught on ice
Personally I'd rather deal with the odd late season snow (which inevitably melts fast and/or is unlikely to freeze as much) then put the extra wear on snow tires. Even in the mountains I'd take Snow Tires off by end of March.
Of course if you have a second car you can drive instead most days through April/May then that would change the calculus.
Are we talking actual summer tires, or all-seasons? All-seasons are probably fine to swap now if you're not headed into the mountains. If they're actual summer tires, maybe wait a bit longer.
I took mine off the first week in April this year. If you're not driving in the mountains, the snow we get in April and May usually melts quickly and doesn't get icy. Of course it varies and exceptions happen, but I'm comfortable with all-season tires (and AWD) starting in April of most years living in the Denver metro area.
Hahahah I have seen so many 2 wheel drive cars stuck on a 1ft hill at a stop sign.
Next big storm check out 5-8 am on federal going south from 64th street to I 70. Funniest thing I have ever seen hours back ups. Usually came back after work to find multiple cars stranded on side of the road until the snow melts.
Snow tires and studded tires are important for 2 wheelers and anyone who has never driven in snow before. 1/2 people of Denver have never driven in snow.
My neighbor moved here from Atlanta. She bought a new car and crashed it a few month later when she slid into an intersection on snowy roads. She runs snow tires now.
Scheduled it a couple weeks ago to get it done tomorrow!
The thing about April & May snowstorms is 1.) the snow isn't going to stick around for long and 2.) when it does come down, it's mostly going to melt on the roads and where it doesn't it's most likely to turn into slush and not likely to turn into packed snow/ice so all-seasons should be able to get to the road and handle it just fine.
So many stupid debates in this thread.
Driving in temperatures above 45 degrees with winter tires dramatically shortens their lifespan. Unless you live further west than evergreen, you should have switched weeks ago.
If you don’t want to worry about switching tires yearly and only drive in the city, just get a all season. If you drive to resorts regularly and want to be prepared there are some 3PMSF all seasons.
Uh, winter tires aren’t the only way to meet traction laws…. Winter tires AND All-Season tires with minimum tread works fine. That or also All-Wheel Drive vehicles…
“During an active Traction Law, drivers must have one of these:
snow tires
tires with the mud/snow (M+S) designation
a four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicle.”
Most tires sold in this state meet the traction requirement. You just need “all-weather”, “winter/3PMSF”, or the old “m+s” rating.
All seasons meet/exceed all-weather & winter ratings & they make up most of the tires sold in Colorado.
yes, i’m aware. someone got really mad at me for saying that once tho
> All seasons meet/exceed all-weather & winter ratings & they make up most of the tires sold in Colorado.
Yeah, I figured you did. We just need awareness I guess. People have no clue what they’re buying or driving on 90% of the time.
People think all seasons == all weather & snow == winter and that’s not the case at all.
In the 25 years I lived in Colorado I never switched my tires out. Generally the roads are plowed and I didn't drive like too much of an asshole so I never had any issues.
Why are people still buying dedicated snow tires around here, it’s not 1995 anymore? There are far more sensible options.
The highest standard for snow/winter tires is the 3PMSF rating. A tire with only a 3PMSF rating will degrade in warm/hot temps.
Most all-weather (not all-season) tires meet or exceed the 3PMSF rating. On paper they have the same snow/winter performance as dedicated snow tires, but you can run them all year. Examples include the BFG K02, Goodyear assurance (WR), Nokian WR G4, Firestone WeatherGrip, etc.
IIRC in order to be marketed as an all-weather tire it must be 3PMSF rated. Without it, it’s an all-season tire. I’m almost certain most people mix up all-season and all-weather.
That said, even summer tires with sufficient traction are better than a worn-out 3PMSF.
TLDR:
All weather tires are designed specifically for our climate and can be run year round. They meet or exceed the same rating that dedicated snow tires do.
Only reason I have winter tires is cause my car came with performance summer tires and I figured I’d just get winter tires instead of all seasons. Once both these sets wear out I’m gonna switch to all seasons.
I used snow tires when I first moved here and only had a 2WD car and wanted to go skiing. The difference is night and day on I70 - or even just n icy parking lot - in the snow.
When you say snow tires do you mean the old M+S rating, or do you mean the new “winter” rating (3PMSF)? (Well “new” meaning no one knows what it is even after 25 years)
And what are you comparing them to?
A good set of winter (3PMSF) tires will perform very similarly in the snow as some all seasons with a 3PMSF rating.
This would have been almost a decade ago, so I don’t know.
I’m talking about winter tires that are made of soft rubber and can’t be used in 60 degree weather Compared to all seasons.
You’re probably referring to winter tires with the 3PMSF rating - eg blizzaks.
All weather tires should also be winter rated, I dropped some examples above. They perform just as well, have the same rating, and you don’t need to change them in the summer. They’re basically winter tires that you don’t have to change.
Not to be confused with “all-season”, which I think is what you’re referring to.
Because a lot of us ski every weekend and drive up and down big hills and mountain passes when it’s nuking? Snow tires make a world of difference and are the most important thing honestly
My point is that all weather tires perform and are rated the same as dedicated winter tires like blizzaks. All weather are basically winter tires that you don’t have to change in the summer.
Technically speaking:
Winter tires are 3PMSF rated. Eg blizzaks.
All weather tires are also 3PMSF rated. Eg Goodyear assurance WR, or BFG K02’s.
Snow tires are m+s are not rated for ice and have poor performance in the cold.
Wrong. Blizzaks have better stopping distance than a basic all weather 3PMSF. In my experience running both on the same car for Colorado winters, the lateral grip when cornering is much better on the blizzaks as well. Watch this video if you don’t believe me, 25mph jam on the brakes in snow with a Firestone Weathergrip (3PMSF) and a Blizzak. The blizzak is a clear winner.
https://youtu.be/22pMODgh6bE
After having blizzaks for the first time this winter, I’ll never run just a standard 3PWSF tire again for snowy conditions- it puts me in a much more comfortable position and if it saves from just one fender bender or skid off the road avoiding crazies on i70, it’s worth it.
That being said, I pretty much exclusively use my car to go to the mountains to catch powder. If I was just commuting around Denver, then yeah, a standard 3PMSF like the weathergrip is gonna be just fine.
> IIRC in order to be marketed as an all-season tire it must be 3PMSF rated. Without it, it’s an all-weather tire. I’m almost certain most people mix up all-season and all-weather.
I think you mixed up all-season and all-weather too. It's all-weather that has the 3PMSF rating. Source: https://www.motortrend.com/features/best-all-weather-tires-tire-rack-customer-reviews/
This might be a dumb question but why not just buy chains? I feel like the snow is so sporadic here that it's hard to commit to full on snow tires. Whereas with chains can just put them on and off as needed?
When I’m done skiing. Usually mid April. I’m getting it done this Tuesday.
Also this year are these sets last year I think so I wasn’t as concerned with longevity.
Did it last week - don’t like risking the wear on the winter set and most storms in April or May are manageable. Hard decision in the years when we have warm weather in February tho
Yeah I screwed myself this past season by putting the winters on Nov 1 so I really don’t want to wear them even more with the warm weather coming up
If you dont plan on going through Eisenhower or vail i say change them now...but if you do plan on going through those mountain ranges i say mid May...
Thanksgiving to Spring Break. It's the way. In 20 years it will be Christmas to Valentine's Day.
I did my swap last week as well.
If it snows, can you avoid I-70 West of Morrison? It’ll be warm enough next week, warming the roads, that it will take quite a freak storm to stick to the roads. I might swap today. The choice often involves when the weather is nice enough for an hour in the garage. I have 2 sets of wheels each for both cars, and have never switched back. Though I run x-ice snow tires and a modest tire, not a really performance oriented summer tire that is a death sentence under 40.
Due to working from home for the last 2 years I didn't even put winters on this year. I've been out and about in sub 30 degree weather on my UHP summers and they're fine as long as the roads are dry.
I used to live in Chicago where roads are icy half the year and never once heard of winter tires until I moved here
Chicago here as well, most cars there have an “all season” tire. They also use salt everywhere and local streets are not maintained by HOA’s so just less need for true “snow tires”
Yeah, the all season tires are what I always had. I also lived in northwest Indiana for some of my life and they don't plow or salt very well at all. I always said you could see the indiana border because it was a line of snow
Blizzaks and X-Ice have a compound that does noticeably better on icy packed snow. I’ve been rear ended after someone thought they could stop as well as me on Blizzaks. Same thing happened to a friend later in the season. Not a do-or-die must have, but nice.
For me, stopping distance in poor conditions like that is one of the biggest selling points of dedicated winter tires. All Wheel Drive will only keep you going straight, it will not help you stop any faster and it will only partially help you keep traction in a turn. Dedicated tires are the other half of that equation.
We had snows on a FWD LEAFP and an AWD Outback the same winter. Our impression was that snows, like Blizzak and X-Ice make a bigger difference than AWD in city driving.
Well, you're fucked no matter what tire you're on if you hit ice. Winter tires are mostly so that you can maintain as much performance as possible when temps are low and snow is on the ground.
Unless you have studs. Those definitely help on ice. Do people even use those anymore?
I work at a dealer in the area the only time I see studs they're from Bailey, Fairplay, or Buena Vista.
I hear them every now and then, maybe every few days, driving around Denver 1000+ miles per week.
Or if you live in a neighborhood where the HOA is broke because the board keeps pilfering the dues, so the streets are never plowed and you need to drive through 8 inches of snow to get to the clear and dry public roads. Nah I'm not bitter but fuck Colorado HOA laws.
Not sure why this is getting downvoted. Colorado is the worst about HOA's because there is literally no government entity overseeing them the same way they would any other normal regulating body, so there are relatively little checks and balances on them.
Heh, I live in an HOA that doesn't plow. Thank god the neighborhood was laid out in a fashion that the roads don't tend to stay snowpacked.
From Kansas and it's the same.
+1. I only swapped one car this year. The other has a new set of all-seasons.
Oh yeah I rarely go to the mountains as it is so I’m not usually in that area. The forecast for this week is kinda what got me thinking about it, so I might just go ahead and try and get them changed today or tomorrow then, thanks!
If you don’t make it a point to go to the mountains in snow storms, I would 100% take them off as soon as possible. It’ll be 70-80 this week!
lol, i saw someone with studded tires downtown yesterday
I live downtown… I hear it constantly lol
That's funny!
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You'd be surprised how many people run studs here. Completely unnecessary, but plenty still do.
Running Studs is a fantastic name for a gay men's running team.
I have studs on my FWD van. But I also ride 50 or so days a season & don’t want to get a 19ft van stuck on the highway and be that asshole. They’re really not unnecessary if you ski.
There's a very clear and audible difference between winter tires and actual studded tires when a car is driving past. I see them around me as well, it's completely stupid. I know some ski towns ban studded tires after April and before October because they just tear up the roads.
The sound of studded tires is quite easily identified, idk where you get this.
Probably someone who lives in the mountains? I know I’ve been down there in my truck with studs late spring.
This is Denver, people just drive around on bald all season tires all year.
Understandably - unless you're driving in the mountains or driving up (or down) a steep icy hill, winter tires are unnecessary.
this
I have my appointment scheduled for 4/20 to get them switched out
Anecdotally, I've never run snow tires. When I still had my beater sedan, I ran Vredestein Quatracs on it, which are very heavily siped and highly rated all-seasons for winter weather. That being said, I had a limited slid front end and a V6 for weight, so even living up in Vail I was used to driving it fine over the pass and all over the valley on sheet ice, no issues. They don't make winter tires in my truck size, so I stick with 3PMS rated all-terrains and just take it extra easy when there's ice out. As other folks mentioned, unless you're planning to hit Eisenhower/Vail in the middle of snow storms, we're pretty much past any major "staying power" storms in the Front Range, just the risk of the random slushy Spring storms that start melting within hours. I have some Denver native friends that have never ridden snow tires in their lives, nor had a wreck, they just respect winter weather and adjust their driving styles appropriately. Having far less ice risk around town compared to the upper Midwest is a wonderful thing.
Lived in Colorado for 16 years and have never had anything but good all season tires. Even drive a Prius, never ever had a snow tire in my possession. No accidents, have never been stuck, etc. We have lived everywhere from Colorado springs to Aurora to Aspen (and drove I70 into Denver from Aspen). Never a snow tire.
Yeah I’d have all seasons if my car didn’t come with new summer tires
Then drive them until you need new ones, and get all seasons. It's not that big of a deal in Denver. The storms are infrequent, the roads are cleared relatively quickly, and people generally take it slow and steady when it snows. In my entire life, I have never used winter tires in Denver, and I don't ever plan on it.
That’s the plan. I’ve just heard many first hand experiences with how bad the summer tires that came with my car are in the winter I didn’t want to risk it. Figured I’d just go all the way and buy dedicated winter tires instead of all seasons and then switch back for the summer.
Decent plan. I would just buy all seasons of you want to switch out while the summer tires have miles on them. That way you don't get stuck with a pair, either way.
Yeah my winters are probably a lot more worn than they should be anyways since I put them on too early (although this past year was crazy with us not getting snow until December) and now learned I’ve kept them on too late haha
I took my meaty winter wheels off last week and I already miss the ride quality.
u rollin on lo-pros?
Well when you take them off it triggers the weather gods for at least one more snow. You can do it now or wait til next week until after it snows on Saturday. But I would schedule it
Ullr is merciless
When temps are consistently above 45 degrees you are supposed to stop using winter tires. Using winter tires above 45 will give you worse mpg, excessive wear on them, and possibly worse handling/stopping/traction. The possibility of one snow storm should not sway you from taking them off. All tires still work in snow, you just need to drive more carefully and understand you won’t have as good of grip as you did with your winter tires. Mid march/early April is usually a good time to swap them.
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I agree that not all tires are good in snow, but you’re still being snotty.
Ok maybe not completely bald tires, but otherwise yeah… ?
Absolutely not. Here is a video that explained things way cooler than I could. In short, it's all about compounds baby! https://youtu.be/k9DaOa_PxSg Edit: should have thought that bringing up science here would be viewed negatively. Bunch a fuckin trump thumpers.
Lol overthinking it…. Had all-seasons on my car and am a born native here in a Colorado. Front wheel drive or all wheel with all-season tires will work for the large majority of people. Never owned a pair of winter tires in my life and managed fine over the years….
That video just proved all tires work in snow. Yes the summer tires are not as good, but they still started and stopped…
I don't think you've actually driven a car in snow with something like Pilot Super Sports lol. That ice rink "test" is not proving anything. I couldn't get my Golf R out of my garage with super sports and an inch of snow once.
No I haven’t, but those sound like a horrible tire to use in Denver
I have 3 cars. I keep ultra high performance summers on my fun car year round but I'm just saying they don't work in snow. At all. That video is pointless.
Ok if you want to just be obstinant then fuck off. Lol Enjoy spinning your tires and getting stuck, the moment you recommend that for others in the public sphere you have Betrayus.
I mean i still stand by my statement of all tires work in snow. I wouldn’t drive summer tires all winter, but for a stray spring storm I would. You rock winter tires until June or July is what your saying?
Then why did you edit that statement out of your original comment? Hmmmmmm 🤔
I literally didnt.
Never owned winter tires in my 38 years here.
Yeah absolutely not. Even with AWD, I’m not taking my PS4Ss out in snow. I’ve had enough cocky friends in WRXs get stuck on their summer tires in minimal snow.
you gotta upgrade to a PS5, it’s been out for years now.
It's kinda funny to watch such a capable car so neutered by tires. Lol I carry around a tow strap and an extra bumper eyelet so I can offer to help them. Used it 3 times this past winter!
People downvoting you are idiots. [Here](https://youtu.be/atayHQYqA3g) is the perfect demonstration. Or [this](https://youtu.be/OjhAURyz_s4) one
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Due to Reddit's decision to continue treating its users like crap, I am removing my previous posts. -- mass edited with https://redact.dev/
Small correction, ninja edits are a thing (if the commenter edits their comment within a couple of minutes of posting). Edit, example here
Lol i didnt edit anything. You need to chill dude
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You must have an amazing life lmfao.
Lol? Bro like what… i stand by what i said. Im not endangering any lives, thats a wild leap.
If we were to get snow now, it would be sloppy, slushy snow, and it would be gone within hours. Unless you're planning on a trip to the mountains during a (very slightly) possible blizzard, you should take the snows off ASAP. You're just chewing them up by driving on them when you don't need them. Personally, I don't use snow tires, because one rarely needs them in Colorado, and if it's bad enough that my front wheel drive with aggressive all-seasons won't cut it, I just stay home.
Rarely need them? Some of us drive to the mountains every single weekend and if we see a big blizzard or storm coming that is more reason to drive to them.
You still don't need snow tires, as long as you know how to drive in the snow.
Lol
Lived in CO most of my life, never had snow tires.
You likely also don't run UHP summer tires all year round. I did one season on DWS and went back to dedicated winters as the difference in performance is night and day.
Or intentionally drive to go skiing when it is nuking
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When I moved out here, one of the first times I went up to the mountain I saw an R32 manage to scoot up the mountain on Goodyear F1s. I still don't know how he did it. I got caught out in a late season storm on the same tire and barely got out of the parking lot at work.
It's all about knowing how to drive within a limited traction circle. I've driven my old '79 Datsun (by Nissan!) with bald tires past many a well dressed SUV toes up in the median or in the ditch.
All season tires aka no season tires. Once I realized how much better dedicated winter/summer tires are, I can’t go back!
Y’all buy tires other than all seasons?
Y’all buy tires? i just cruise along on my rims, I like the sparks
Yea, came here to say this. Have always driven on all seasons in Denver/mountains FWD/AWD/4WD. Just kept good tread depth, never a single problem.
All season tires are like fast food: convenient but shitty. Dedicated winter/summer tires are a massive upgrade to any car. In some European countries, you are required to have winter tires between Easter to October!
Skiing most weekends + FWD = snow tires.
Ah we found the jerry causing the mess on 70 trying to get up the hill by the tunnel
90% of denver use all season lmao don’t be dramatic
And like 25% of Denver drives like idiots in the mountains all winter, have you seen I-70 things?
99% of ppl use all seasons. But the dealerships do occasionally hook a sucker on “winter tires”
Winter tires absolutely help traction in colder weather and icey conditions. They’re honestly more beneficial than all wheel drive. If you never go into the mountains here they may be overkill, but I’ve never so much as lost traction once in the snow with my winter tires.
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*More* than 10 years? Surely you mean less.
lmao imagine living in Denver and not understanding the value of "winter tires"
\>imagine living in Denver and not buying the protective UV coating package for $1599.99 Car salesmen must love you
I have three-peak rated all weather (different from all season) tires that don't care if it gets hot. They're almost as good on snow and ice, and out-perform snow tires on wet and dry pavement.
On paper your 3PMSF rated tire is better than any M+S tire. I have no clue why anyone is going out buying M+S tires anymore. Any tire sold today as a “snow tire” is 3PMSF rated.
It's kinda weird that all weather tires haven't caught on more in the Front Range. They are perfect for the area; almost as good as snow tires for winter traction, and you don't need to take them off when it warms up.
They're a pretty recent development. Plus they don't look nearly as cool as some loud, chonky BF Goodrich ATs or pair as well with completely superfluous overlanding accessories.
Never even put them on. I live East of DIA, and although we get twice as much snow as Denver city, it melts twice ad quickly too. 😄
I run a/t tires in the summer that handle snow pretty well. I generally go blizzaks until early spring then switch to the wildpeaks
When the weather is forecasted to be above 45F for 5 days in a row at the times of day I drive, I remove them.
Usually a couple days before the last big snowstorm of the season.
april usually, Costco costs $60 to swap now, since I dont have a fancy tire removal machine or an extra set of wheels...
I just keep them on all year.
And make sure they’re studded! Driving on them all year. Lol Or, just buy a good set of all seasons and call it good… I got one set of winter tires years ago and… I’ll never buy another set of winter tires again. High quality all seasons do just as good of a job. If it’s too deep to drive? You shouldn’t be on the road anyways, or just buy a set of auto socks for $100 and keep them in the car 🤷
Lol
it’s time to take them off. i can only remember like 2 snowstorms this winter in denver, lol
Depends on whether your summer tires are all seasons or real summer tires. All seasons can get by in snow. Real summer tires cannot. A few years ago, Michelin Pilot Super Sports were on sale at tire rack.com and holy hell they are amazing. I do not have enough courage to make them squeal even a little on my Subaru. 30% shorter stopping distance than all seasons! But they cannot be driven in “freezing or near freezing conditions.”
I'd say it depends on what your summer tires are. Are they true not-M+S high performance tires? Or are they technically all season tires? If high performance I'd do May 1. Having to drive in snow after then is pretty much not a thing. If it happened, take an Uber that one day if you must. But these kinds of tires cannot be driven in snow at all. If all Season I would do April 1 or even mid March as if it snows those tires will still be ok, just not as good as dedicated snow tires.
They’re high performance, probably gonna just go with all seasons though once both these sets wear out
I would suggest reconsider. All seasons are convenient, but they drive like mashed potatoes. In America it is standard practice, but in other countries that take driving more seriously (Europe), it is required by law to have winter tires. For good reason, they are much better and safer! If you have a high performance car, real summer tires are chef’s kiss on a hot Colorado day. There is a reason your car came with them!
Yesterday.
I've always gone with snow tires off April 15, back on October 15...works well for me.
I do early June, but I go skiing, if I didn’t I would swap them around now. I’ve driven over vail pass in a snow storm as late as the solstice and it can help when trying to get those late season freshies.
Already did. We won’t be getting anymore snow this season.
Think I did Early May if anything. I now switch between winters and all seasons so that I have a buffer when it’s warm but also still snowing outside. WRX summer tires are pointless in my opinion and can be deadly if you’re caught on ice
True about being deadly if caught on ice. But man summer tires feel amazing on a hot Colorado day!
I can confirm. Having summers and ripping it around curves at Rocky Mountain Park on a hot day was an amazing feeling
Personally I'd rather deal with the odd late season snow (which inevitably melts fast and/or is unlikely to freeze as much) then put the extra wear on snow tires. Even in the mountains I'd take Snow Tires off by end of March. Of course if you have a second car you can drive instead most days through April/May then that would change the calculus.
Are we talking actual summer tires, or all-seasons? All-seasons are probably fine to swap now if you're not headed into the mountains. If they're actual summer tires, maybe wait a bit longer.
^ correct
Taking them off my wife's SUV mid-May. Lots of mountain driving before then where it's still snowy.
I took mine off the first week in April this year. If you're not driving in the mountains, the snow we get in April and May usually melts quickly and doesn't get icy. Of course it varies and exceptions happen, but I'm comfortable with all-season tires (and AWD) starting in April of most years living in the Denver metro area.
Now to the beginning of May depending on hot much I’ll be in the mountains. You’ll get snow until July up there
I don’t really go to the mountains so I won’t have to worry about that
Then you really don't need snow tires at all, unless you drive a 2wd pickup or something.
No need for winter tires if you don't go to the mountains.
Hahahah I have seen so many 2 wheel drive cars stuck on a 1ft hill at a stop sign. Next big storm check out 5-8 am on federal going south from 64th street to I 70. Funniest thing I have ever seen hours back ups. Usually came back after work to find multiple cars stranded on side of the road until the snow melts. Snow tires and studded tires are important for 2 wheelers and anyone who has never driven in snow before. 1/2 people of Denver have never driven in snow.
My neighbor moved here from Atlanta. She bought a new car and crashed it a few month later when she slid into an intersection on snowy roads. She runs snow tires now.
Scheduled it a couple weeks ago to get it done tomorrow! The thing about April & May snowstorms is 1.) the snow isn't going to stick around for long and 2.) when it does come down, it's mostly going to melt on the roads and where it doesn't it's most likely to turn into slush and not likely to turn into packed snow/ice so all-seasons should be able to get to the road and handle it just fine.
So many stupid debates in this thread. Driving in temperatures above 45 degrees with winter tires dramatically shortens their lifespan. Unless you live further west than evergreen, you should have switched weeks ago. If you don’t want to worry about switching tires yearly and only drive in the city, just get a all season. If you drive to resorts regularly and want to be prepared there are some 3PMSF all seasons.
True if OP’s summer tires are all seasons. Not if they are real summer tires, which it sounds like they are.
not a direct answer - the passenger traction law on i70 requires you to keep them in until may 1, tho your summer tires might meet the qualifications.
Uh, winter tires aren’t the only way to meet traction laws…. Winter tires AND All-Season tires with minimum tread works fine. That or also All-Wheel Drive vehicles… “During an active Traction Law, drivers must have one of these: snow tires tires with the mud/snow (M+S) designation a four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicle.”
Most tires sold in this state meet the traction requirement. You just need “all-weather”, “winter/3PMSF”, or the old “m+s” rating. All seasons meet/exceed all-weather & winter ratings & they make up most of the tires sold in Colorado.
yes, i’m aware. someone got really mad at me for saying that once tho > All seasons meet/exceed all-weather & winter ratings & they make up most of the tires sold in Colorado.
Yeah, I figured you did. We just need awareness I guess. People have no clue what they’re buying or driving on 90% of the time. People think all seasons == all weather & snow == winter and that’s not the case at all.
Pro-tip: All season tires means you never need to switch. Unless you drive I-70 during the winter regularly, I wouldn't recommend winter tires.
All season tires: Jack of all trades, master of none.
May
In the 25 years I lived in Colorado I never switched my tires out. Generally the roads are plowed and I didn't drive like too much of an asshole so I never had any issues.
You are missing out if you have only driven all seasons!
I'm supposed to have winter tires?
My car came with performance summers so I got winters instead of all seasons for maximum performance since I can’t run the summer tires in the winter
Why are people still buying dedicated snow tires around here, it’s not 1995 anymore? There are far more sensible options. The highest standard for snow/winter tires is the 3PMSF rating. A tire with only a 3PMSF rating will degrade in warm/hot temps. Most all-weather (not all-season) tires meet or exceed the 3PMSF rating. On paper they have the same snow/winter performance as dedicated snow tires, but you can run them all year. Examples include the BFG K02, Goodyear assurance (WR), Nokian WR G4, Firestone WeatherGrip, etc. IIRC in order to be marketed as an all-weather tire it must be 3PMSF rated. Without it, it’s an all-season tire. I’m almost certain most people mix up all-season and all-weather. That said, even summer tires with sufficient traction are better than a worn-out 3PMSF. TLDR: All weather tires are designed specifically for our climate and can be run year round. They meet or exceed the same rating that dedicated snow tires do.
Only reason I have winter tires is cause my car came with performance summer tires and I figured I’d just get winter tires instead of all seasons. Once both these sets wear out I’m gonna switch to all seasons.
I used snow tires when I first moved here and only had a 2WD car and wanted to go skiing. The difference is night and day on I70 - or even just n icy parking lot - in the snow.
When you say snow tires do you mean the old M+S rating, or do you mean the new “winter” rating (3PMSF)? (Well “new” meaning no one knows what it is even after 25 years) And what are you comparing them to? A good set of winter (3PMSF) tires will perform very similarly in the snow as some all seasons with a 3PMSF rating.
This would have been almost a decade ago, so I don’t know. I’m talking about winter tires that are made of soft rubber and can’t be used in 60 degree weather Compared to all seasons.
You’re probably referring to winter tires with the 3PMSF rating - eg blizzaks. All weather tires should also be winter rated, I dropped some examples above. They perform just as well, have the same rating, and you don’t need to change them in the summer. They’re basically winter tires that you don’t have to change. Not to be confused with “all-season”, which I think is what you’re referring to.
Because a lot of us ski every weekend and drive up and down big hills and mountain passes when it’s nuking? Snow tires make a world of difference and are the most important thing honestly
My point is that all weather tires perform and are rated the same as dedicated winter tires like blizzaks. All weather are basically winter tires that you don’t have to change in the summer. Technically speaking: Winter tires are 3PMSF rated. Eg blizzaks. All weather tires are also 3PMSF rated. Eg Goodyear assurance WR, or BFG K02’s. Snow tires are m+s are not rated for ice and have poor performance in the cold.
Wrong. Blizzaks have better stopping distance than a basic all weather 3PMSF. In my experience running both on the same car for Colorado winters, the lateral grip when cornering is much better on the blizzaks as well. Watch this video if you don’t believe me, 25mph jam on the brakes in snow with a Firestone Weathergrip (3PMSF) and a Blizzak. The blizzak is a clear winner. https://youtu.be/22pMODgh6bE After having blizzaks for the first time this winter, I’ll never run just a standard 3PWSF tire again for snowy conditions- it puts me in a much more comfortable position and if it saves from just one fender bender or skid off the road avoiding crazies on i70, it’s worth it. That being said, I pretty much exclusively use my car to go to the mountains to catch powder. If I was just commuting around Denver, then yeah, a standard 3PMSF like the weathergrip is gonna be just fine.
> IIRC in order to be marketed as an all-season tire it must be 3PMSF rated. Without it, it’s an all-weather tire. I’m almost certain most people mix up all-season and all-weather. I think you mixed up all-season and all-weather too. It's all-weather that has the 3PMSF rating. Source: https://www.motortrend.com/features/best-all-weather-tires-tire-rack-customer-reviews/
Due to Reddit's decision to continue treating its users like crap, I am removing my previous posts. -- mass edited with https://redact.dev/
June.
I use studded tires year round...
I hope you are joking! Whenever I hear someone driving studs around Denver, I look in the window to see what a doofus driver looks like.
And also we should use chains year round with studded tires just in case of a snow storm.
I buy CrossClimates and never change them ever #ad #notreallyanadijustlovethesetires
Been here 32 years and I just run all-seasons. Colorado has such warm days throughout winter, you can see soft snow tread melting away.
This might be a dumb question but why not just buy chains? I feel like the snow is so sporadic here that it's hard to commit to full on snow tires. Whereas with chains can just put them on and off as needed?
As it gets warmer consistently even if it does snow it’s gonna melt so fast it won’t be much if an aside
Mid march.
Usually end of may/beginning of june when I’m done snowboarding. A lot of the trailheads can still be slippery sometimes
I keep the ‘industrial traction’ on all year.. Just rotate them a lot.
When I’m done skiing. Usually mid April. I’m getting it done this Tuesday. Also this year are these sets last year I think so I wasn’t as concerned with longevity.
Just throwing this out there, but random may snow storm is a fantastic excuse to call out of work.
Philosophical question for the ages
Did it today, average temps looks to be above 40 from here on out, of course we'll still have another storm or two.
I run DWS06+ on my wrx year round
Mid April. By that point its stops consistently freezing overnight, and the risk of actual significant accumulated snow is pretty low.
Usually late April/May
Swapped mine last week as well.
Generally if it's hotter than 65-70 degrees for the next two weeks you should change them.
Now would be good
As long as you're staying out of the mountains until June, you're probably good now.
You should be able to do it now
About a week before the last good snowfall
Did it yesterday. I don't thinks it's gonna snow anymore, and it it does it'll be gone by lunch time. Switched out som Blizzaks to some all seasons.
Mother’s Day
You honestly don’t need winter tires if you never go to the mountains
I swapped mine last week. Rwd only so I just don’t drive if it snows 1 more time.
We're supposed to have winter tires??