Tire Question -- All Seasons Vs. Snow Tires?

[tomustang]

Well, I guess you can ask about anything here, so I have a car tire question!

My wife & I have two cars -- a 1998 Honda Civic and 2003 Subaru Legacy. I think both could do with a set of new tires, especially now that winter is around the corner.

I'll start with the Honda first. In Dec. 2006, we bought a new set of all-season radials for it. At that time, the Honda had about 140,000 km on it (about 87,000 miles). It now has about 186,000 km on it. Just recently, when I start off fast when the pavement is wet, I its front wheels spin easily -- this makes me think that it could do with new tires. Even last winter, it wasn't that great in the snow.

I realize that I bought these tires less than 3 years ago but I'm thinking of getting new all-season radials as an option instead of snow tires.

It's a similar situation with the Subaru. It's about 7 years old & I can't quite remember when we bought new all-season radials for it. But, last winter, we actually got stuck in the snow a couple times with it -- which is really embarrassing with a Subaru! When the car was new (and had new tires) this practically never happened.

So, is this a good/sensible option -- to go for a new set of all-seasons rather than snow tires? Is it also "normal" to replace all-seasons for the Honda in only 3 years (especially if you're using them as an alternate to snow tires)?

Also, FYI, we do a lot of our driving in Toronto but do frequently drive into the country, in the winter, where good tires are crucial.

Thanks,
Rob

I wouldn't buy snows tires unless they were on a dedicated rim, they won't hold up well driving around the rest of the year. Since you own 2 very popular cars associated with import tuners you can find stock rims cheap (look on some local car forums), then buy some Blizzacks for them which are great snow tires and cheap.

If your stock tires are going shallow, replace them now. The penny 'check' always works