Running studded tires in the winter?
 

I am getting ready to buy a winter set for my Tundra and am considering getting them studded (only $15 per tire).

I am not sure on the legality and/or actual performance improvement. Also,what is lost in the dry?

Just looking for input. FWIW the tire are Winterforce M&S.

I run studded winter tires on my Jetta. You really notice a difference on ice, sluch & compacted snow. They are pretty loud though.

This past April, I drove to Montreal through Maine, New Hampshire & Vermont. The weather had been calling for a bit of rain. I almost put my summer tires on before leaving, but got too busy. The first 3-4 hours of the drive, I complained about the noise. By the time we hit NH, it was freezing rain. Through the white mountains, it was raining in the valleys and freezing rain on the high spots.

The whole drive, there were SUVs in the ditches, 18 wheelers against the guardrails and even a salt truck off the road. We motored along without drama, keeping an eye out for huge SUVs on "all season" tires.

You really can't beat studded tires, as long as you can put up with the noise.

Michigan guys normally don't look toward Seattle guys for advice about winter tires, but I was once a North Idaho guy, so it's just possible that you might consider my input.

Yes, I would say that studs reduce dry traction. Steel does not grip asphalt like rubber does. So.....you lose a bit of that traction. But I do have a lot of respect for studs, depending on your road conditions and driving patterns. If I were a salesman, driving across northern states in my Chevrolet Cavalier to make sales calls, I would have four of the finest studded snow tires on my car. Absolutely. When the road surface is glare ice (not unusual), snow tires without studs have about the same traction as R-compound Hooziers. 30 mph might be dicey. In this same situation, cars with four good studded tires can go 60 mph fairly safely. In ice, studs are the ONLY thing that will grip.

I also would not use a particularly wide tire. The tire would be tall and narrow.

The Tire Rack has a little video on studded tires and they claim they are NOT as good on glare ice as the new generation snow tires. Hmmm

Check legality. IIRC illegal in NY or I'd be all over them.

Last winter I had very good results with genuine snow tires (not "mud & snow" tires) without studs. They were Bridgestone Blizzaks. Used them on solid ice in addition to packed and glazed snow, this was in central WA state.

I went studless because wanted to be able to put them on early and leave them on late, and didn't want the noise of studded tires.

I've used studded tires before, they are great in the worst conditions but may not be necessary. Depends how fast you really want to drive when conditions are nasty. I'm happy to slow to 40 mph when it is icy.

I just put Continental ContiWinterContact TS810s on my 997S.

Non studded, softer ride, quieter, less grip. A bit squishy at 117. Nice tires for heavy rain too.

How loud are we talking here?

Question: Are studded tires legal in <st1:state><st1:place>Michigan</st1:place></st1:state> ?
Answer: Yes, with certain restrictions. MCL 257.710 allows for the use of studded tires if they meet the specifications listed in subparts (c), (d), and (e). The part that specifically deals with studded tires is subpart (d) which states; "The department of state highways and transportation shall promulgate rules establishing acceptable standards to permit the use of a tire with studs or other traction devices to be used on a street or highway after <st1:date year="1975" day="1" month="4">April 1, 1975</st1:date>. The rules shall make separate provision for the extreme winter snow and ice conditions of the <st1:place>Upper Peninsula</st1:place> and the Northern <st1:place>Lower Peninsula</st1:place>. The rules shall include a restriction on the amount and dimension of protrusions that may be allowed on a tire, the type of material that may be used in a stud, traction device, or tire, and the amount of road wear that a tire with studs or other traction devices may cause on a street or highway." <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Administraive Rules 247.171 through 247.175 govern studded tires and set the criteria for their use. <o:p></o:p>
These rules state two conditions that must be met for the use of studded tires. Note: to date no manufacturer of tire studs has supplied information to the Michigan Department of Transportation that their product meets or exceeds the required pavement wear specifications. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
First, they can only be used between November 15 and April 1 of the succeeding year except in the <st1:place>Upper Peninsula </st1:place>and the <st1:place>Northern Lower Peninsula </st1:place>, where, because of extreme winter snow and ice conditions, they may be used between October 1 and May 1of the succeeding year. <st1:place>Northern Lower Peninsula </st1:place>is defined as those counties whose southern boundaries are as far or farther north than the southern boundary of Missaukee county. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
Second, studs or other traction devices shall not be used unless they wear either concrete or asphalt pavements, typical of those in this state, at a rate not to exceed 25% of the reference standard studded tire. <o:p></o:p>
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They sell studded tires where I live in NY.

My brother has spent his entire life (58 years) in northern Minnesota. He swears by Blizzaks (sp).

Many winters in Central NY with studded snows.

Pros- absolutely unstoppable. You will look forward to attempting failure, because they won't. They eat ice alive.

Cons-
1) Loud. Not so loud that you can't have a conversation, but you'll hear it. Depends on how quiet the car is to start. In the newer Audis, it was pretty well muffled.
2) Decreases grip in the dry. Thing is, you will know this, and drive accordingly. Just as you give yourself more distance and corner slower in the rain, you'll do this when on the studs.

Overall, its kind of a toss-up. Snow tires are a must of course, but the studs are pretty much your choice.

As for tire-rack's test on studs, I have trouble believing that.

I'm planning on running them on my 2WD truck here in Montana. That and about 500-700 pounds of weight in the bed and I should be OK.

They are legal in New York. At least "up-state". All tires are a compromise. In a world with four seasons, you would ideally run summer tires in the summer, all season tires as it cooled off and then when the snow and ice really comes down - switch to the dedicated winter tires (with studs).
Dont even mention the DOT rated rubber for the track..

I called and they are only legal on mail delivery vehicles:(

I guess they would be legal if the manufacturers could prove some road wear data, but none have done/submitted the results to the state for certification. Odds are the standards are impossible.

Anyway, I ordered up a set of Winterforce tires from The Tire Rack and will try without the studs. I think I'm gonna do a set on the wifes Envoy as well.

Thanks alot Lendaddy, now that you just spent some money anticipating snow, we will have a lousy winter with hardly any snow to play in. ;):D

If that's all it takes I'll outfit my entire extended family:D

Blizzaks without studs are the way to go. Studs will give you a false sense of security if you think you can drive on ice like you can on dry pavement. Bottom line is this, studs don't work at highway speeds. In town at intersections are slickest and the only remedy to keep from sliding is slowing down. Personally, I think you're wasting your money on studded tires. I haven't used them in 25 or so years. Noise, yes they are noisey especially on dry payment.

Four good snow tires, not all weather, should be adequate. Buy four steel rims and you are ready.

Studded tires are good, but really loud, and given the absence of accumulated snow and ice on the road for 90% of our winter driving, they are not justified.

Yep, I went with studdless. Should be here today and I'll probably throw them on. I know they wear fast but my current tires are shot and out of balance. At least I'll be prepared for first snow.