Question:
Is winter tires needed for me to cross Canada from Vancouver to Toronto?
anonymous
19 years ago
I need to drive from Vancouver to Toronto around Christmas. Don't try to stop me because I have to and I cannot take flight. I am driving VW Passat with all-season tires. Is it needed to replace all of the tires with winter tires?

If it is needed, how about Goodyear Nordic? My current tire is 195/65/R15, which size is recommended?

Thanks
Five answers:
AJD
19 years ago
Don't ever use Winter tires in combination with all-seasons ... you won't be doing you're car or the tires any favours. Use one or the other. In addition, using chains can damage you're car and allot of companies DO NOT recommend using them. Just make sure you have good tires.



If you're tires are reasonably good and still have at least half the tread left to them .. then go on your trip and don't stress about it. However, going over such a long distance, I'd consider replacing you're tires with a set of new all-seasons.



If you're not going to use the winter tires for any other reason than this trip, why buy them? A good set of all-seasons will be fine. I've lived in most of the Eastern provinces including Ontario and if its snowing bad enough to make it difficult with a good set of all-seasons; then you shouldn't be on the road during that time anyway.



However, if you have the money ... go for it, it's never wrong to error on the side of caution. I travel for a living and can attest to that.



Check your owners manual, if it doesn't recommend what size winter tire to use .. then I'm positive you're VW dealer can. They'll know what's best!!! But just get a recommendation, I'm sure you'll pay far less for the same tires at a local tire shop.



Best of luck, have a great trip.



P.S. A Good Winter tire is best for traction, chains only provide definitive grip on ice .. that's about it. A good winter tire however will grip ice as well as pavement. The Nordics aren't bad .. if you really want added protection .. get them studed!!!!!
Sandy H
19 years ago
I live in upstate NY, it does get pretty bad up here and it would help! But I must say that alot of the people that live here dont have snow tires. Now if its something you feel that you need and have the money for it..then I would get it but the truth is that it snows so much up here that either way it sucks! and either way you have to be extremely careful! If you decide to get them, I would just give them a call (Goodyear) or check to see if Walmart has them cheaper...they usually do.



G-luck!
Killertiel
19 years ago
Yes, winter tires is needed if you are going to drive across Canada this time of year. Having spent part of my childhood in Canada (I was born in Toronto) I know something about Canadian winters.



Sorry I can't recommend a particular brand of snow tire - however, nobody in my family has ever gone wrong with Michelin.
mimi
19 years ago
If you have all season tires, all you need is to carry chains just in

case you become snow bound. Good Luck.
anonymous
19 years ago
Buy a set of chains. Practice putting them on before you need to use them. Have a good trip!


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