Winter tires not really needed here in central N.H.

fatlazyless · 12-09-2025, 11:38 AM

I suspect I am among the majority of central N.H. car owners who just go all year driving the same all-season tires, all year long, and do not make the switch to winter snow tires.

A set of four winter tires, installed, costs about $550 and up, plus you need to store the non-winter tires, somewhere.

Driving the paved asphalt roads in central N.H. comes with incredibly excellent snow removal and road ice melt treatment that really makes driving the same all-season tires very doable for me.

How often do I drive on snow or ice covered roads? Not very much, maybe a couple percent, like 2% or something. I simply slow it down, slow it way down or stay home and do not drive when a snow storm hits the area. One day later the snow has been removed, and the roads are good to go. I figure there's maybe 5-days per year when a snow/ice storm blows in here and it's best to simply stay home, stay off the roads, and do not drive until the next day.

One can always go take a long walk somewhere, and wait till tomorrow to drive that car.

If you have a long steep driveway, or live down a remote unpaved road that requires more aggressive winter snow tires, you probably know what's best for you. ......

VitaBene · 12-09-2025, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

I suspect I am among the majority of central N.H. car owners who just go all year driving the same all-season tires, all year long, and do make the switch to winter snow tires.

A set of four winter tires, installed, costs about $550 and up, plus you need to store the non-winter tires, somewhere.

Driving the paved asphalt roads in central N.H. comes with incredibly excellent snow removal and road ice melt treatment that really makes driving the same all-season tires very doable for me.

How often do I drive on snow or ice covered roads? Not very much, maybe a couple percent, like 2% or something. I simply slow it down, slow it way down or stay home and do not drive when a snow storm hits the area. One day later the snow has been removed, and the roads are good to go. I figure there's maybe 5-days per year when a snow/ice storm blows in here and it's best to simply stay home, stay off the roads, and do not drive until the next day.

One can always go take a long walk somewhere, and wait til tomorrow to drive that car.

If you have a long steep driveway, or live down a remote unpaved road that requires more aggressive winter snow tires, you probably know what's best for you. ......

I use them on my commuter car. Sometimes I have to go out.

John Mercier · 12-09-2025, 12:11 PM

By switching out, I rotate my tires, exam wear, and make my summer all seasons last longer.

fatlazyless · 12-09-2025, 01:10 PM

VIP-Laconia's internet tire suggestion came up with five different winter tires. The Toyo Observe GSI-6, 195/60R16 is the least expensive at $95-each plus about $35 installation charge per tire, each tire for a total of $550/four tires. This 2014 Scion xD came with four new Toyo tires, all-season, and they seem to go excellent driving no faster than 75-mph. I think the VIP-Laconia does a really good job with their tire installations, at least for me on two different sets of four and five tires.

Best feature is probably that it holds the asphalt road better in cold temps, when the road has no snow. I think all-season have less winter gripping tire rubber ingredients than the winter tire? Winter tires supposedly stick to the cold asphalt better than all-season?

In late March 2023 I was very close to a black Honda Pilot w/ Mass plates who passed me in the left lane on Rt 93-n about a mile north of Exit 24-Ashland where it flattens out, atop the hill, and this Honda Pilot must have been going 75-80 during a slushy, icy snowstorm. Anyway, this large black car did a total, up-in-the-air, backwards somersault, and landed upside down in the snowy median area.

Did it lose traction on the front tires on the icy snow, and the traction on the rear tires made it do a backwards flip-flop and fly past me, upside-down ......... holy crap?

LIforrelaxin · 12-09-2025, 01:29 PM

For many Drivers a good all-season tire is fine... However not all all season tires are created equal.

For me, I general just run a rugged All Terrian / All Season on my truck, the wife's vehicle just gets good all seasons...

I did have trouble once with a set of All Season, which where relatively new, that did get me to invest in winter tires.... I figure between the two sets, I likely got the same mileage that I would have gotten with two sets of good All seasons, So the cost of acquiring the winter tires didn't bother me much..... I also bought the tires from a great dealership, that did the swap over for something ridiculous like 10$ a tire.... and they marked the tires so that we rotated them ever switch over.... it was great.... However I moved, before the tires wore out, and the switch over the last time was a bit more expensive....

My Take is this, do what makes you comfortable, especially if you find a good tire dealer, that helps make switch over reasonable... Or go the other way, and get a second set of Rims..... and do the switch over yourself......

John Mercier · 12-09-2025, 02:03 PM

Snow tires do have softer compounds - which is why they wear quickly in the summer - but I like to stud my tires in the winter because as the snow melts across the road, it can refreeze as the sun goes down.

Parade Rd is notorious for this as the wind across the open fields will create drifting that is just enough to melt and refreeze.

It is an odd feeling when you press the brakes - the ABS pulses - and all you can do is keep braking and steer. But I think the studs give me a bit more control.

Snow tires also clear the snow from the treads more easily due to design.

I change them out myself. The practice changing a tire with my jack, torque wrench, and inflator is worth it should I later have an actual flat I need to change on the roadside.

One of the off season tires becomes my spare. So right now, four studded snows with the fronts being new and the rears being still good but not new, and one all season in the spare tire bay under the trunk.

Spring change out to four all seasons - probably at least two new ones for the front - and a studded snow in the spare tire bay.

Also we white grease the studs for easier tire removal.

Garcia · 12-09-2025, 02:20 PM

I started putting snow tires on a number of years ago. The difference is amazing. My all wheel drive cars can go anywhere.

While there is an upfront cost, two of my cars have winter rims which allows me to size the winter tire down. Tires are better in the snow and because they are smaller, are cheaper. The added benefit is that I swap the tires myself whenever I want.

TheProfessor · 12-11-2025, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

For many Drivers a good all-season tire is fine... However not all all season tires are created equal.

Here is one review.

LINK

Doing some research one can find a good tire for your vehicle.

BillTex · 12-11-2025, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheProfessor

Here is one review.

LINK

Doing some research one can find a good tire for your vehicle.

Thanks for posting.Very interesting. I never thought about all weather vs all season.
I have been running gy weatherready on all of our cars for years, they do pretty well in winter. Now I know why.

Still have the oe Michelins on the super duty. Traveling right now and can’t remember which flavor they are. They have been ok in snow, super on miles (almost 60 k!). They will be replaced this coming year. Leaning towards same.

Thx again.

fatlazyless · 12-12-2025, 03:52 AM

Yesterday, Thurs, Dec 11, about 9-am on Rt 104 heading east in Meredith I had to come to a complete stop, directed by a police officer at an accident scene as a flat bed truck started to drag a very large pick-up truck onto its flat bed and the driving lane was temporarily blocked.

The damage to the front underneath area, control arms and front bumper was seriously smashed up, and my drive by "what happened" says it was going too fast on a damp below freez'n road after the snowstorm, left the road on the slight curve and got stopped by a rock outcropping. Don't know about any personal injuries, but there was no ambulance there at the time? Maybe the big pick-up lost it grip on the still slippery curve in the road, after snow removal and sped, slid, crashed into the rock outcropping.

Probably having four studded snow tires would have maybe kept that from happening, or the driver could have slowed it down, before it drove off the road into the rocks. The speed limit there is 55-mph, conditions permitting, on Rt 104-eastbound in Meredith. Rt 104, there, can be an accident waiting to happen, type of a road, with its 55-mph speed limit, conditions permitting. Weather happens and that golden road turns into an accident waiting to happen, road ... (background music here from that early 1960's tv show, The Twilight Zone).

jeffk · 12-12-2025, 07:20 AM

There are a lot of "it depends" to the answer of whether to use snows.

First, your climate. I consider the Lakes region has enough slippery days to justify snows. They DO perform better than all season tires. Even when I lived further south, in Hudson, weather was a concern and my commute to work could be a challenge. The snows do have their own wheels. I keep my cars a long time so the cost of the wheels was distributed over the life of the car (~$20 per wheel per year over 20 years).

Do you have to get out on a regular basis? Or, are you good to sit at home and wait out the bad weather? I prefer to have the ABILITY to go out in almost any weather. Then I can CHOOSE to go or not go at almost any time, under almost any conditions. Years ago, I had to make a run to the emergency room because of a blood clot, a day after a blizzard. I traveled with confidence because I have snows and good drive systems.

In addition to the snows, I have AWD on both cars and 4WD on the truck. These drive systems make the cars more expensive. My Audi with 4 wheel Quattro drive is a tank in snow as long as it isn't too deep (low ground clearance). The RAM 1500 has M/S tires and it is pretty good in snow but not as good a grip as the cars. I put 300 lbs. of sand in the bed for better traction. The Camry AWD is very good as well.

Next consideration is where you live. I have to go up (and DOWN) the BIG hill coming out of the town of Center Harbor on a daily basis. I see cars and trucks defeated by this hill on several days during a winter season. I can almost always go up the hill with no slipping (Audi) or a little slipping (Toyota and RAM). Further, around the lakes there are lots of hilly areas and lots of curving roads. Again, I drive with confidence.

The only things that defeats the best tires and drive systems is significant ice from freezing rain. Wise people stay in until the icy roads are well sanded or put chains on their tires if they MUST get out. Even snowmobiles don't like ice, even with cleats in the tracks.

As you can see, my ultimate choice about snows, AND my cars, is based on personal opinion of what matters to me concerning winter travel.

BroadHopper · 12-12-2025, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffk

In addition to the snows, I have AWD on both cars and 4WD on the truck. These drive systems make the cars more expensive. My Audi with 4 wheel Quattro drive is a tank in snow as long as it isn't too deep (low ground clearance). The RAM 1500 has M/S tires and it is pretty good in snow but not as good a grip as the cars. I put 300 lbs. of sand in the bed for better traction. The Camry AWD is very good as well.

That explains how I was able to pull an F-350 out of the snowbank on 107 with my MB wagon with all-weather tires. My current allroad with all-weather tires is definitely eager to please when I travel Maine, NH and VT. allroads have a higher ground clearance and it is not an SUV.

retired · 12-12-2025, 12:31 PM

When I had a front wheel drive Mazda I bought some steel rims and had snow tires mounted on them. I would switch them out each spring and fall. They made a real difference. Now I have a Subaru Outback with all season tires. The all-wheel drive and those tires work just fine. I don't see a need to mount snow tires each season.

codeman671 · 12-12-2025, 03:26 PM

We run Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 studded snows on our 2 main commuter cars. They are essential between our long, steep driveway and our north/south commute daily to Dover. I would not buy any other tire for winter use on a car or suv.

I have Goodyear studded snows for my Ram 2500 business truck but haven't put them on in the last 2 seasons as I don't drive it often.

My GMC 2500HD AT4X has the factory all terrain tires which are pretty good.

We don't let the kids drive when its nasty out, so we haven't set them up with studded tires on their vehicles.

camp guy · 12-12-2025, 04:24 PM

I have kept the same tires on my 2005 Jeep CG all the time. I have read these posts about changing tires, all terrain tires, all season tires, snow tires, studded tires, etc,, but for me, the principal rule for driving in the winter is the "Rule of 2", namely, drive 1/2 as fast as usual, and stay 2times the distance between you and care ahead of you.
Drive safely, and Happy Holidays.

BillTex · 12-12-2025, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camp guy

I have kept the same tires on my 2005 Jeep CG all the time. I have read these posts about changing tires, all terrain tires, all season tires, snow tires, studded tires, etc,, but for me, the principal rule for driving in the winter is the "Rule of 2", namely, drive 1/2 as fast as usual, and stay 2times the distance between you and care ahead of you.
Drive safely, and Happy Holidays.

Your tires are 20 yrs old?
That is frugal.

fatlazyless · 12-12-2025, 08:41 PM

It seems that the N.H. State Police maybe .... http://www.tirewarehouse.net/tiremak...ter/732009563/ ... use a winter tire like this one on their Chevy Tahoe. Hope they get a volume discount because these are some very expensive tires.

If you are like me and want to spend a lot less, but still get a good winter tire, here's my suggestion ..... http://www.vipauto.com/store/toyo-ob...56016TOY149410 ..... to fit a Scion xD.

http://www.tractionlife.com/review-t...6-winter-tire/

Apparently, both of these winter tires say they have the same speed rating of "V" ........ whatever the heck that means! .......

....... That must be an error in the VIP website, giving the $95 Toyo GSi-6 winter tire a speed rating that's the same as the $259 Goodyear Eagle Enforcer winter tire.

BillTex · 12-12-2025, 10:19 PM

I never cheap out on tires. That is your main point of control. We haul/tow heavy and tires are so important to safety. I have this mindset with all of our vehicles. Saving a few $ on discount tires is bad joo joo.

V is the speed rating, pretty useless for winter driving imo.

Save $ at the grocery store, not on tires/vehicle safety.

fatlazyless · 12-13-2025, 07:24 AM

Did a little research on what the state police in the twelve northern states; Ak, Wa, Id, Mt, ND, Mn, Wi, Mi, NY, Vt, NH, & Me use for winter tires and only Alaska goes with studded winter snow tires. That's probably because studded tires don't grip a dry asphalt road as good as a non-studded winter tire. The roads and climate in Alaska are basically different than other northern states, and Alaska State Troopers roll on studded snow tires.

State police in somewhere like Aroostook County, northern Maine can get studded snow tires for individual vehicles if their police dept wants to pay for them.

You know the $95 Toyo GS-i 6 description says it is made with crushed walnut shells in its tire making process for better cold temperature, asphalt road grip.

AI overview: "Yes, the Toyo Observe GSi-6 winter tire uses crushed walnut shells in its tread compound, a technology Toyo calls Microbit Technology, to create tiny spikes that dig into ice and compacted snow for superior grip and traction, adding a natural sustainable element to its cold-weather performance." Well, isn't that interesting? With tough, hard, brittle tiny pieces of crushed walnut shells the tire becomes a round rolling sandpaper style cold weather, asphalt road gripper, or something!

From Driving Canada, a Jan 31, 2017 report ....... http://www.driving.ca/auto-news/toyo...ng-good-on-ice

TheProfessor · 12-17-2025, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillTex

Thanks for posting.Very interesting. I never thought about all weather vs all season.
I have been running gy weatherready on all of our cars for years, they do pretty well in winter. Now I know why.

Still have the oe Michelins on the super duty. Traveling right now and can’t remember which flavor they are. They have been ok in snow, super on miles (almost 60 k!). They will be replaced this coming year. Leaning towards same.

Thx again.

Glad to know that at least one person on this forum viewed this informative video.

BroadHopper · 12-18-2025, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheProfessor

Here is one review.

LINK

Doing some research one can find a good tire for your vehicle.

The video is at least 4 years old. Here is a recent video. More manufacturers add all-weather to their line.

https://www.caranddriver.com/search/...Tires+for+2025

fatlazyless · 12-29-2025, 09:33 AM

Today with all the slushy wet ice is a good day to stay off the roads, and stay home especially when the temps drop below 30, sometime later on today.

If you drive a rear wheel drive pick-up, maybe you want to load up the truck with heavy sand over the rear wheels, and go buy four expensive studded snow tires.

VIP Tire in Laconia has a buy 3, get one free tire sale now thru Dec 31 on Goodyear tires.

The WMUR forecast says "Ice accretion up to 1/2" today" or something like that ....... have never ever seen the word ACCRETION used in a weather forecast before. Someone at WMUR must have a great big Roget's Thesaurus for writing headlines?

thinkxingu · 12-09-2025, 03:57 PM

Three-peak rated all-terrains are plenty good for *most* of NH but, like everything, the more specialized the tire the better the performance.

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

Descant · 12-09-2025, 05:02 PM

I used to have a 5.0L Mustang Convertible. Stored in the winter and drove an old Jeep. Changeover consisted of pushing the button to open the garage door.

Remember chains? A couple of years ago there was a big snowstorm in Washington DC. Somebody posted a photo of a local Prius with chains on the rear tires. These are the folks in DC who run our country. LOL.

fatlazyless · 12-09-2025, 08:09 PM

Found this review ..... http://www.speed.academy/toyo-observ...r-tire-review/ ..... on the VIP-Laconia recommended, least expensive $95 plus $35/tire installation winter tire for my Scion xD. Oops, that's a different Toyo GSi-6 tire ...... is more a high performance winter tire.

Looking at this white Lexus in the photo, I figure if they is good enough winter tires to go on a Lexus, then they is probably equally good enough to go on a Scion, plus they is the lowest price by far out of five different winter tire recommendations from VIP-Laconia at less than one hundred dollars.

Hey there ....... my $5000 Scion xD has something that makes it different and better than every Lexus ever made! What's that ................. a manual 5-speed stick shift!

Walmart in Tilton and Plymouth charge $18/tire to remove and install, replace tire valves, warranty and free rotation, thereafter, while VIP charges $35/tire for similar tire service. VIP has a different selection of winter tires available than Walmart.

Is the Walmart quality of installation the same as the VIP quality of installation? That's a good question and the answer is unknown?

For about $182.99-each plus $18/install Walmart can get "Michelin X-ice snow winter" tires so why do Michelins cost so much more than the $95 Toyo Observe GSi-6 winter tires plus $35/install at VIP in the same size and similar winter design?

Michelin tires cost a heck of a lot more than Toyo but you usually get what you pay, and are not just paying for that Michelin name? Michelin is France while Toyo is Japan plus Toyo is a name similar to Toyota.

The Toyo tire is T-rated, and the Michelin is V-rated. Do a Google search on "T vs. V rated tires" to see the difference and you will probably go with the less expensive Toyo.

So, I wonder what the N.H. State Police use for their winter tires? Maybe Google know about that?

BillTex · 12-09-2025, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Three-peak rated all-terrains are plenty good for *most* of NH but, like everything, the more specialized the tire the better the performance.

Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

Agreed
While not as good as snow tires a good M/S rated tire is a good compromise
I prefer highway tread even on my f350

BroadHopper · 12-10-2025, 09:40 AM

For decades I have been happy with all-weather tires. The year around tires with the 3 peaks. Winter activities find me all over the place in Northern NH, Maine and VT. I never went back to all season and winter tires.

At one time there was only one all-weather tire manufacturer, Nokian, probably the best company that understands winter. Now almost all major brands have all-weather tires.

I just recently switched from Nokian WRG series tires to Pirelli Weatheractiv. Looks like this winter will be a doozy! Bring it on!

Oh, my two vehicles have 4matic/Quattro drivetrains. I bet that counts.

ishoot308 · 12-10-2025, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillTex

Agreed
While not as good as snow tires a good M/S rated tire is a good compromise
I prefer highway tread even on my f350

Yup, I agree totally!

Just bought a brand new GMC sierra 1500 Ultimate Denali pickup. It came with Bridgestone tires which are absolutely horrible in the snow even with 4wd! They came off after this recent storm with only 4000 miles on them and I put on my old standbys which are Michelin Defender LTX M/S-2 The Michelin's are a fantastic tire, great in the snow, rain and slush and super quiet on the highway with a lot of grip when roads are dry.

Dan

John Mercier · 12-10-2025, 10:44 AM

I did it for the studs.
To get the studs, I needed winter tires.

LIforrelaxin · 12-10-2025, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Mercier

I did it for the studs.
To get the studs, I needed winter tires.

Well yes studs kind of require the Winter Tires...... now that is a racket I don't here down here in Texas.... I have known a few people that for good reason needed studded tires.... far to often however I find that many people run them but don't need them....

John Mercier · 12-10-2025, 07:32 PM

If by "racket" you mean more noise, they are just as quiet.
Most of the road noise is the more aggressive tread.

BillTex · 12-10-2025, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Mercier

If by "racket" you mean more noise, they are just as quiet.
Most of the road noise is the more aggressive tread.

?
You can hear studded tires a mile away…
Just sayin’

John Mercier · 12-10-2025, 09:59 PM

I can't. And I am sitting in the vehicle.
I hear the same noise with just the aggressive tire treads.

granitebox · 12-11-2025, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillTex

?
You can hear studded tires a mile away…
Just sayin’

Absolutely can hear studded tires on the road - they make a very unique clatter and you can hear a car/truck coming from a good distance. Its how police enforce stud tire restrictions - especially noticeable when someone is driving studded tires on a clean road

John Mercier · 12-11-2025, 02:05 PM

From inside they sound about the same as the non-studded versions on the other car.
Same make model and tires.

My father doesn't want the studs because he likes to run them year round.

fatlazyless · 12-10-2025, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Yup, I agree totally!

Just bought a brand new GMC sierra 1500 Ultimate Denali pickup. It came with Bridgestone tires which are absolutely horrible in the snow even with 4wd! They came off after this recent storm with only 4000 miles on them and I put on my old standbys which are Michelin Defender LTX M/S-2 The Michelin's are a fantastic tire, great in the snow, rain and slush and super quiet on the highway with a lot of grip when roads are dry.

Dan

You know your unwanted, low mileage Bridgestone's probably did not get discarded. They get sold to www.sennatires.com/Shop-For-Tires/Used-Tires, 521 Harvard St, Manchester NH.

Looking ...... http://www.facebook.com/marketplace/...0006799577348/ ....... for a steal-of-a-used-car-tire-trailer-boat-house-stove-refrigerator-deal?

ishoot308 · 12-10-2025, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

You know your unwanted, low mileage Bridgestone's probably did not get discarded. They get sold to www.sennatires.com/Shop-For-Tires/Used-Tires, 521 Harvard St, Manchester NH.

Looking ...... http://www.facebook.com/marketplace/...0006799577348/ ....... for a steal-of-a-used-car-tire-trailer-boat-house-stove-refrigerator-deal?

No, I sold them for $750.00

Dan

12-09-2025, 11:38 AM	#1
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 9,168 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 310 Thanked 1,102 Times in 811 Posts	Winter tires not really needed here in central N.H. I suspect I am among the majority of central N.H. car owners who just go all year driving the same all-season tires, all year long, and do not make the switch to winter snow tires. A set of four winter tires, installed, costs about $550 and up, plus you need to store the non-winter tires, somewhere. Driving the paved asphalt roads in central N.H. comes with incredibly excellent snow removal and road ice melt treatment that really makes driving the same all-season tires very doable for me. How often do I drive on snow or ice covered roads? Not very much, maybe a couple percent, like 2% or something. I simply slow it down, slow it way down or stay home and do not drive when a snow storm hits the area. One day later the snow has been removed, and the roads are good to go. I figure there's maybe 5-days per year when a snow/ice storm blows in here and it's best to simply stay home, stay off the roads, and do not drive until the next day. One can always go take a long walk somewhere, and wait till tomorrow to drive that car. If you have a long steep driveway, or live down a remote unpaved road that requires more aggressive winter snow tires, you probably know what's best for you. ...... __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store! Last edited by fatlazyless; 12-09-2025 at 12:57 PM.

12-09-2025, 01:10 PM	#4
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 9,168 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 310 Thanked 1,102 Times in 811 Posts	VIP-Laconia's internet tire suggestion came up with five different winter tires. The Toyo Observe GSI-6, 195/60R16 is the least expensive at $95-each plus about $35 installation charge per tire, each tire for a total of $550/four tires. This 2014 Scion xD came with four new Toyo tires, all-season, and they seem to go excellent driving no faster than 75-mph. I think the VIP-Laconia does a really good job with their tire installations, at least for me on two different sets of four and five tires. Best feature is probably that it holds the asphalt road better in cold temps, when the road has no snow. I think all-season have less winter gripping tire rubber ingredients than the winter tire? Winter tires supposedly stick to the cold asphalt better than all-season? In late March 2023 I was very close to a black Honda Pilot w/ Mass plates who passed me in the left lane on Rt 93-n about a mile north of Exit 24-Ashland where it flattens out, atop the hill, and this Honda Pilot must have been going 75-80 during a slushy, icy snowstorm. Anyway, this large black car did a total, up-in-the-air, backwards somersault, and landed upside down in the snowy median area. Did it lose traction on the front tires on the icy snow, and the traction on the rear tires made it do a backwards flip-flop and fly past me, upside-down ......... holy crap? __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store! Last edited by fatlazyless; 12-10-2025 at 05:08 AM.

12-09-2025, 01:29 PM	#5
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,970 Thanks: 1,064 Thanked 911 Times in 538 Posts	For many Drivers a good all-season tire is fine... However not all all season tires are created equal. For me, I general just run a rugged All Terrian / All Season on my truck, the wife's vehicle just gets good all seasons... I did have trouble once with a set of All Season, which where relatively new, that did get me to invest in winter tires.... I figure between the two sets, I likely got the same mileage that I would have gotten with two sets of good All seasons, So the cost of acquiring the winter tires didn't bother me much..... I also bought the tires from a great dealership, that did the swap over for something ridiculous like 10$ a tire.... and they marked the tires so that we rotated them ever switch over.... it was great.... However I moved, before the tires wore out, and the switch over the last time was a bit more expensive.... My Take is this, do what makes you comfortable, especially if you find a good tire dealer, that helps make switch over reasonable... Or go the other way, and get a second set of Rims..... and do the switch over yourself...... __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

12-12-2025, 03:52 AM	#10
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 9,168 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 310 Thanked 1,102 Times in 811 Posts	Thurs morning, Dec 11, 9-am, Rt 104-eastbound, Meredith, big pick-up truck into rocks Yesterday, Thurs, Dec 11, about 9-am on Rt 104 heading east in Meredith I had to come to a complete stop, directed by a police officer at an accident scene as a flat bed truck started to drag a very large pick-up truck onto its flat bed and the driving lane was temporarily blocked. The damage to the front underneath area, control arms and front bumper was seriously smashed up, and my drive by "what happened" says it was going too fast on a damp below freez'n road after the snowstorm, left the road on the slight curve and got stopped by a rock outcropping. Don't know about any personal injuries, but there was no ambulance there at the time? Maybe the big pick-up lost it grip on the still slippery curve in the road, after snow removal and sped, slid, crashed into the rock outcropping. Probably having four studded snow tires would have maybe kept that from happening, or the driver could have slowed it down, before it drove off the road into the rocks. The speed limit there is 55-mph, conditions permitting, on Rt 104-eastbound in Meredith. Rt 104, there, can be an accident waiting to happen, type of a road, with its 55-mph speed limit, conditions permitting. Weather happens and that golden road turns into an accident waiting to happen, road ... (background music here from that early 1960's tv show, The Twilight Zone). __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store!

12-12-2025, 04:24 PM	#15
camp guy Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: formerly Winter Harbor, still Wolfeboro Posts: 1,224 Thanks: 317 Thanked 560 Times in 310 Posts	Winter tires in NH I have kept the same tires on my 2005 Jeep CG all the time. I have read these posts about changing tires, all terrain tires, all season tires, snow tires, studded tires, etc,, but for me, the principal rule for driving in the winter is the "Rule of 2", namely, drive 1/2 as fast as usual, and stay 2times the distance between you and care ahead of you. Drive safely, and Happy Holidays.

12-09-2025, 12:11 PM	#3
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,973 Thanks: 3 Thanked 678 Times in 561 Posts	By switching out, I rotate my tires, exam wear, and make my summer all seasons last longer.

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VitaBene (12-11-2025)

12-09-2025, 02:03 PM	#6
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,973 Thanks: 3 Thanked 678 Times in 561 Posts	Snow tires do have softer compounds - which is why they wear quickly in the summer - but I like to stud my tires in the winter because as the snow melts across the road, it can refreeze as the sun goes down. Parade Rd is notorious for this as the wind across the open fields will create drifting that is just enough to melt and refreeze. It is an odd feeling when you press the brakes - the ABS pulses - and all you can do is keep braking and steer. But I think the studs give me a bit more control. Snow tires also clear the snow from the treads more easily due to design. I change them out myself. The practice changing a tire with my jack, torque wrench, and inflator is worth it should I later have an actual flat I need to change on the roadside. One of the off season tires becomes my spare. So right now, four studded snows with the fronts being new and the rears being still good but not new, and one all season in the spare tire bay under the trunk. Spring change out to four all seasons - probably at least two new ones for the front - and a studded snow in the spare tire bay. Also we white grease the studs for easier tire removal.

12-09-2025, 02:20 PM	#7
Garcia Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 704 Thanks: 148 Thanked 336 Times in 205 Posts	I started putting snow tires on a number of years ago. The difference is amazing. My all wheel drive cars can go anywhere. While there is an upfront cost, two of my cars have winter rims which allows me to size the winter tire down. Tires are better in the snow and because they are smaller, are cheaper. The added benefit is that I swap the tires myself whenever I want.

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BroadHopper (12-18-2025)

12-12-2025, 07:20 AM	#11
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,245 Thanks: 216 Thanked 483 Times in 277 Posts	There are a lot of "it depends" to the answer of whether to use snows. First, your climate. I consider the Lakes region has enough slippery days to justify snows. They DO perform better than all season tires. Even when I lived further south, in Hudson, weather was a concern and my commute to work could be a challenge. The snows do have their own wheels. I keep my cars a long time so the cost of the wheels was distributed over the life of the car (~$20 per wheel per year over 20 years). Do you have to get out on a regular basis? Or, are you good to sit at home and wait out the bad weather? I prefer to have the ABILITY to go out in almost any weather. Then I can CHOOSE to go or not go at almost any time, under almost any conditions. Years ago, I had to make a run to the emergency room because of a blood clot, a day after a blizzard. I traveled with confidence because I have snows and good drive systems. In addition to the snows, I have AWD on both cars and 4WD on the truck. These drive systems make the cars more expensive. My Audi with 4 wheel Quattro drive is a tank in snow as long as it isn't too deep (low ground clearance). The RAM 1500 has M/S tires and it is pretty good in snow but not as good a grip as the cars. I put 300 lbs. of sand in the bed for better traction. The Camry AWD is very good as well. Next consideration is where you live. I have to go up (and DOWN) the BIG hill coming out of the town of Center Harbor on a daily basis. I see cars and trucks defeated by this hill on several days during a winter season. I can almost always go up the hill with no slipping (Audi) or a little slipping (Toyota and RAM). Further, around the lakes there are lots of hilly areas and lots of curving roads. Again, I drive with confidence. The only things that defeats the best tires and drive systems is significant ice from freezing rain. Wise people stay in until the icy roads are well sanded or put chains on their tires if they MUST get out. Even snowmobiles don't like ice, even with cleats in the tracks. As you can see, my ultimate choice about snows, AND my cars, is based on personal opinion of what matters to me concerning winter travel.

12-12-2025, 12:31 PM	#13
retired Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Belmont, NH Posts: 194 Thanks: 2 Thanked 78 Times in 46 Posts	When I had a front wheel drive Mazda I bought some steel rims and had snow tires mounted on them. I would switch them out each spring and fall. They made a real difference. Now I have a Subaru Outback with all season tires. The all-wheel drive and those tires work just fine. I don't see a need to mount snow tires each season.

12-12-2025, 03:26 PM	#14
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,603 Thanks: 223 Thanked 856 Times in 519 Posts	We run Nokian Hakkapeliitta 10 studded snows on our 2 main commuter cars. They are essential between our long, steep driveway and our north/south commute daily to Dover. I would not buy any other tire for winter use on a car or suv. I have Goodyear studded snows for my Ram 2500 business truck but haven't put them on in the last 2 seasons as I don't drive it often. My GMC 2500HD AT4X has the factory all terrain tires which are pretty good. We don't let the kids drive when its nasty out, so we haven't set them up with studded tires on their vehicles.

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BillTex (12-12-2025)

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BroadHopper (12-13-2025), TheTimeTraveler (12-12-2025)

12-12-2025, 08:41 PM	#17
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 9,168 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 310 Thanked 1,102 Times in 811 Posts	It seems that the N.H. State Police maybe .... http://www.tirewarehouse.net/tiremak...ter/732009563/ ... use a winter tire like this one on their Chevy Tahoe. Hope they get a volume discount because these are some very expensive tires. If you are like me and want to spend a lot less, but still get a good winter tire, here's my suggestion ..... http://www.vipauto.com/store/toyo-ob...56016TOY149410 ..... to fit a Scion xD. http://www.tractionlife.com/review-t...6-winter-tire/ Apparently, both of these winter tires say they have the same speed rating of "V" ........ whatever the heck that means! ....... ....... That must be an error in the VIP website, giving the $95 Toyo GSi-6 winter tire a speed rating that's the same as the $259 Goodyear Eagle Enforcer winter tire. __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store!

12-12-2025, 10:19 PM	#18
BillTex Senior Member Join Date: May 2024 Location: Freedom (state of mind) Posts: 147 Thanks: 30 Thanked 50 Times in 36 Posts	I never cheap out on tires. That is your main point of control. We haul/tow heavy and tires are so important to safety. I have this mindset with all of our vehicles. Saving a few $ on discount tires is bad joo joo. V is the speed rating, pretty useless for winter driving imo. Save $ at the grocery store, not on tires/vehicle safety.

12-13-2025, 07:24 AM	#19
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 9,168 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 310 Thanked 1,102 Times in 811 Posts	....... crushed walnut shells! Did a little research on what the state police in the twelve northern states; Ak, Wa, Id, Mt, ND, Mn, Wi, Mi, NY, Vt, NH, & Me use for winter tires and only Alaska goes with studded winter snow tires. That's probably because studded tires don't grip a dry asphalt road as good as a non-studded winter tire. The roads and climate in Alaska are basically different than other northern states, and Alaska State Troopers roll on studded snow tires. State police in somewhere like Aroostook County, northern Maine can get studded snow tires for individual vehicles if their police dept wants to pay for them. You know the $95 Toyo GS-i 6 description says it is made with crushed walnut shells in its tire making process for better cold temperature, asphalt road grip. AI overview: "Yes, the Toyo Observe GSi-6 winter tire uses crushed walnut shells in its tread compound, a technology Toyo calls Microbit Technology, to create tiny spikes that dig into ice and compacted snow for superior grip and traction, adding a natural sustainable element to its cold-weather performance." Well, isn't that interesting? With tough, hard, brittle tiny pieces of crushed walnut shells the tire becomes a round rolling sandpaper style cold weather, asphalt road gripper, or something! From Driving Canada, a Jan 31, 2017 report ....... http://www.driving.ca/auto-news/toyo...ng-good-on-ice __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store! Last edited by fatlazyless; 12-13-2025 at 09:13 AM.

12-29-2025, 09:33 AM	#22
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 9,168 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 310 Thanked 1,102 Times in 811 Posts	Today with all the slushy wet ice is a good day to stay off the roads, and stay home especially when the temps drop below 30, sometime later on today. If you drive a rear wheel drive pick-up, maybe you want to load up the truck with heavy sand over the rear wheels, and go buy four expensive studded snow tires. VIP Tire in Laconia has a buy 3, get one free tire sale now thru Dec 31 on Goodyear tires. The WMUR forecast says "Ice accretion up to 1/2" today" or something like that ....... have never ever seen the word ACCRETION used in a weather forecast before. Someone at WMUR must have a great big Roget's Thesaurus for writing headlines? __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store!

12-09-2025, 03:57 PM	#23
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,536 Thanks: 1,184 Thanked 2,174 Times in 1,351 Posts	Three-peak rated all-terrains are plenty good for most of NH but, like everything, the more specialized the tire the better the performance. Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

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barefootbay (12-09-2025)

12-09-2025, 05:02 PM	#24
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,591 Thanks: 1,413 Thanked 1,703 Times in 1,107 Posts	Easy change over I used to have a 5.0L Mustang Convertible. Stored in the winter and drove an old Jeep. Changeover consisted of pushing the button to open the garage door. Remember chains? A couple of years ago there was a big snowstorm in Washington DC. Somebody posted a photo of a local Prius with chains on the rear tires. These are the folks in DC who run our country. LOL.

12-09-2025, 08:09 PM	#25
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 9,168 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 310 Thanked 1,102 Times in 811 Posts	.... so way better than a Lexus! Found this review ..... http://www.speed.academy/toyo-observ...r-tire-review/ ..... on the VIP-Laconia recommended, least expensive $95 plus $35/tire installation winter tire for my Scion xD. Oops, that's a different Toyo GSi-6 tire ...... is more a high performance winter tire. Looking at this white Lexus in the photo, I figure if they is good enough winter tires to go on a Lexus, then they is probably equally good enough to go on a Scion, plus they is the lowest price by far out of five different winter tire recommendations from VIP-Laconia at less than one hundred dollars. Hey there ....... my $5000 Scion xD has something that makes it different and better than every Lexus ever made! What's that ................. a manual 5-speed stick shift! Walmart in Tilton and Plymouth charge $18/tire to remove and install, replace tire valves, warranty and free rotation, thereafter, while VIP charges $35/tire for similar tire service. VIP has a different selection of winter tires available than Walmart. Is the Walmart quality of installation the same as the VIP quality of installation? That's a good question and the answer is unknown? For about $182.99-each plus $18/install Walmart can get "Michelin X-ice snow winter" tires so why do Michelins cost so much more than the $95 Toyo Observe GSi-6 winter tires plus $35/install at VIP in the same size and similar winter design? Michelin tires cost a heck of a lot more than Toyo but you usually get what you pay, and are not just paying for that Michelin name? Michelin is France while Toyo is Japan plus Toyo is a name similar to Toyota. The Toyo tire is T-rated, and the Michelin is V-rated. Do a Google search on "T vs. V rated tires" to see the difference and you will probably go with the less expensive Toyo. So, I wonder what the N.H. State Police use for their winter tires? Maybe Google know about that? __________________ .... Banned for life from local thrift store! Last edited by fatlazyless; 12-10-2025 at 05:16 AM.

12-10-2025, 09:40 AM	#27
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,667 Thanks: 3,280 Thanked 1,132 Times in 814 Posts	All weather tires For decades I have been happy with all-weather tires. The year around tires with the 3 peaks. Winter activities find me all over the place in Northern NH, Maine and VT. I never went back to all season and winter tires. At one time there was only one all-weather tire manufacturer, Nokian, probably the best company that understands winter. Now almost all major brands have all-weather tires. I just recently switched from Nokian WRG series tires to Pirelli Weatheractiv. Looks like this winter will be a doozy! Bring it on! Oh, my two vehicles have 4matic/Quattro drivetrains. I bet that counts. __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

12-10-2025, 10:44 AM	#29
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,973 Thanks: 3 Thanked 678 Times in 561 Posts	I did it for the studs. To get the studs, I needed winter tires.

12-10-2025, 07:32 PM	#31
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,973 Thanks: 3 Thanked 678 Times in 561 Posts	If by "racket" you mean more noise, they are just as quiet. Most of the road noise is the more aggressive tread.

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granitebox (12-11-2025)

12-10-2025, 09:59 PM	#33
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,973 Thanks: 3 Thanked 678 Times in 561 Posts	I can't. And I am sitting in the vehicle. I hear the same noise with just the aggressive tire treads.

12-11-2025, 02:05 PM	#35
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,973 Thanks: 3 Thanked 678 Times in 561 Posts	From inside they sound about the same as the non-studded versions on the other car. Same make model and tires. My father doesn't want the studs because he likes to run them year round.