The first hint of winter showed its ugly face during my morning commute – wet snow flurries and high wind. How is it that other drivers feel the need to reduce their speed to well below the posted limit due to “dangerous” conditions, yet neglect to turn on their god damned lights? —Need My Morning Coffee

This article appears in Nov 17-23, 2011.

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15 Comments

  1. There are many drivers that don’t think; hell, there are a shit load of people in general that don’t think.

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  2. Lots of drivers do not understand the concept of winter tires till several accidents happen. So the city is trying to prepare drivers before it happens. Of course it never works out that way.

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  3. these are the same bunch of idiots, that drive in a downpour, without wipers going. figure that one out, if you can.

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  4. Can’t wait until those sweet slush puddles full of water start forming to hit with my tires. But then, I need to wait until a pathetic pedestrians is near it. 🙂 Those wide tires realy make the water/slush fly.

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  6. My dad says winter tires are a cash grab and a waste of money. He’s never used them, and he’s been driving for 40 years with no winter accidents. He says that the garages make a fortune changing tires every 6 months. Growing up we always had a good pair of all-seasons. I don’t own my own vehicle yet, but when I do buy one I’m probably going to forego the winter tires as well. My dad says reduce your speed and drive carefully and there is no problem with all-seasons.

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  7. Winter tires are not a cash grab. Last winter, I helped someone push their car up the small hill that is our street during a snowstorm, he had all seasons. Once I was done, I got back in my car and drove up the hill without a hitch. But don’t take my word for it, drive with each type and see for yourself.

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  8. Lisababe…your dad is WRONG.
    First winter tires are made of a different material that summer tires. These tires perform better in subzero conditions. Secondly studded winter tires are a must for those of us who live in the countryside.
    My road doesn’t get salted, just grit gets put down . It is a sheet of ice at times & my front wheel drive car will not go up the slight incline of my driveway when its an ice sheet.
    With studs, it is no problem at all.
    I know from waiting too long to change my truck tires over to my winter set, that if its icy I need to put it in 4 wheel drive to drive where I can go in 2 wheel drive with winter tires. I’ve done it, I know there is a difference & if there wasn’t a difference, I sure as hell wouldn’t spend the money it costs for quality winter tires. But IMO my life & those of others who could be hurt or killed by loss of control of my truck/car makes it necessary.
    IF you live in the city & you don’t drive when a storm is dumping on you ,I can see why you would say, snow tires are not necessary. But when you live out in the boonies, when you often have to drive no matter the conditions, when it can be the next day before the plow comes through… snow tires make sense.
    Also for the 20 minutes it takes me to change a set of tires, I don’t see what the problem is, you don’t need a garage to change your tires over from summer to winter. If I, a half lame cripple can do it, anyone who is even slightly active can do it.

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  9. lisababe, imagine how great you could be if you drove carefully with winter tires instead of all seasons. imagine how inexpensive winter tires could be if you found somewhere else to save money, then one day the tires actually help you avoid an expensive accident.

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  11. Psssht! Lisababe, you must’ve grown up in the flatlands or something. Get the snowies, and get the rims attached; that makes switching them back easier.

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  12. I have been told it is too hard on your tires to be putting them on & off the rims twice a year.
    So you need 2 sets of rims ,that’s how I can change them myself.
    Also I have Aluminium rims on my truck & Steel rims for the Winter tires…road salts hard on aluminium rims.

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  13. Not everyone NEEDS winter tires. It all depends on your situation. I drive a Jeep with great all-season tires, I don’t drive a ton, and I live on a main street, so it’s always one of the first to get salted.

    I’ve never had winter tires, and as long as I live in this type of situation, I never will. I’ve never even slightly needed them.

    Now if I lived in the sticks and drove on the highway for 40 minutes a day, and drove a Geo, I’d get some.

    To say everyone needs winter tires is not true. And it can be a cash grab depending on who you’re trying to convince.

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  15. Truelies, yeah, um, when it comes to safety, I recommend that you get only what you need. (sarcasm)

    Seriously, I say “Don’t play that game, find some where else to save money”

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