We don't get as much snow where I live as some other areas of NY that get lake effect. Lake effect gets broken up by the mountains before it reaches my area. So if Syracuse gets 3 feet, we might get a few inches. But it's significantly colder than anywhere else in the state, so what falls stays around. And they don't salt county roads, just main roads. They do sometimes throw out some sand. But the road I live on, the sand is very sparse. Hence the need for winter tires (in my case, studded since I live on a hill that is often icy).
I could climb a frozen waterfall in my car.
I mean I could probably get by with all season tires, but living in a place like this, it's not worth the risk. Plus, winter tires aren't exactly a major expense, when you factor in the fact that your other tires will last twice as long since they're off the car about half the year. It pretty much evens out, except for the initial expense of a second set of wheels (optional but it's how I do it--sexy wheels, I might add).
I'm a big proponent of winter tires in areas with lots of snow or ice, but really, if one knows what they're doing (Beck, for example), it's not necessary. The advantage in my mind isn't about getting from point A to point B, which can be done with experience and know-how regardless. It is about being able to make quick maneuvers and brake suddenly, which comes in handy if a deer crosses the road or another driver does something stupid.
I turned a corner the other day on my road and was greeted by 4 deer, and had to virtually slam on my brakes. The road had 2-3 inches of snow and plenty of ice underneath. No problem.
I could climb a frozen waterfall in my car.
I mean I could probably get by with all season tires, but living in a place like this, it's not worth the risk. Plus, winter tires aren't exactly a major expense, when you factor in the fact that your other tires will last twice as long since they're off the car about half the year. It pretty much evens out, except for the initial expense of a second set of wheels (optional but it's how I do it--sexy wheels, I might add).
I'm a big proponent of winter tires in areas with lots of snow or ice, but really, if one knows what they're doing (Beck, for example), it's not necessary. The advantage in my mind isn't about getting from point A to point B, which can be done with experience and know-how regardless. It is about being able to make quick maneuvers and brake suddenly, which comes in handy if a deer crosses the road or another driver does something stupid.
I turned a corner the other day on my road and was greeted by 4 deer, and had to virtually slam on my brakes. The road had 2-3 inches of snow and plenty of ice underneath. No problem.
