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Changed my mind about winter driving after trying snow tires for the first time | Ask a Local NH Person - nhfree.com

Changed my mind about winter driving after trying snow tires for the first time

I've lived in Manchester for 12 years and always thought all-season tires were good enough... until I slid through an intersection on ice near the Mall of New Hampshire last January. My neighbor finally convinced me to try a set of Blizzaks on my old Honda Civic before that big storm in February. The difference was honestly shocking... I stopped in half the distance on packed snow compared to before. I timed my commute on Route 101 during a snow squall and it only took 45 minutes instead of the usual 90. Anyone else have a similar experience switching over after years of doubt?

2 comments

2 Comments

lilycraig4mo ago

Wait, are you saying you actually think different tires are the main fix for winter driving? I gotta disagree with you on that one. I've lived in New England my whole life and never bought into the hype of switching to snow tires every year. Yeah, they might help a little on straight stopping, but most of the time folks just drive too fast for the conditions and blame their tires. I've seen people with studded tires end up in a ditch because they got overconfident. If you're sliding on ice, no rubber compound is gonna save you from black ice at 40 mph. Maybe try slowing down and leaving more space before you spend all that money on wheels you gotta swap out twice a year. I get that you had a good experience, but it just feels like another way for shops to take your cash.

michael_bennett114mo ago

@lilycraig you make some good points about driving slower... but I gotta say swapping tires is more about the grip in the cold than just snow. All season rubber gets hard like a hockey puck under 40 degrees, so even on dry pavement you lose traction. I've done the whole Boston to Burlington drive in a blizzard and my old all seasons had me sliding at 25 mph on a curve... swapped to some proper winters and the difference was night and day on that same stretch. But yeah, black ice is its own beast, nothing fixes that except patience and a light foot.