I recently relocated from Seattle WA to central Connecticut and am not very skilled in winter driving. I was wondering if there is a difference between putting chains on my tires vs purchasing winter tires - which would be the better option? Money is a restriction because we did move cross country…

I would think All-Season tires would get you through the winter. They are certainly adequate here in Chicago. Does anyone not living in Montana or Wyoming use chains anymore?

You should have no need for chains in Connecticut. I agree that an all season tire should work that’s rated decently for snow. If all you need cars for is commuting, you won’t need 4wd either. Save your money and get two cars with traction control.

For the best result, buy a set of 4 rims and winter tires for each vehicle so you can swap them back and forth. Depending on where you live, the city/county should have a good enough snow removal system that it shouldn’t matter

If you drive once around the block on chains you’ll never want to drive on them again. Chains are meant only for the most severe winter conditions, in which they work, and only for short distances, but if conditions are that bad you should just forget about driving and remain in place. Forget chai…

Tire chains are for people who don’t live where it snows, but venture there occasionally, or for people who live in mountainous areas where chains are required by law. Winter tires are for people who live in the Great White North, and in my opinion, New England qualifies as the Great White North. …

I doubt if you need or want chains, but you certainly do want and need winter tyres (four of them) With lack of experience snow and ice is a serious risk factor. If you start thinking just two winter tires will be enough, or that you can get by without any winter tyres please forget it. Winter dr…

I ran cables on my 92 Honda Accord part of one winter long ago. Cables are less aggressive than chains. Great in deep snow. Vibrations prevented driving above 35 mph on dry roads. I drove alternate (unplowed) roads whenever possible. This only lasted about 1 week. Then I bought 4 winter tires,…

Lars46 has good remarks and advice. I don’t need chains anywhere in Maine, I can’t fathom the thought of needing them anynwhere in Connecticut.

Don’t drive in snow with the fwd vehicle when it snows. Then you will only have to buy snow or Winter tires for the 4WD vehicle. I had a 4WD truck in Maine and didn’t need great seasonal tires to go everywhere and neither did my 85 Escort. I used to live in Hartford so do whatever you can to get in…

Snow tires vs tire chains

General Discussion

Caddyman October 29, 2011, 11:05pm 11

If you absolutely MUST drive during the very infrequent snow storms, buy a set of winter tires mounted on rims…Otherwise, stay home on those few days and let the other fools wreck their cars…Save your money and your standard-issue all-season tires will be adequate…As McP said, FORGET chains…

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Snow tires vs tire chains

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