My 2023 honda civic ex has Firestone FT-140 tires on it. I live in a small town in Iowa. I am not sure how these will perform in winter conditions as this is going to be the first time I will drive in snow. Can someone share their experience on how these tires perform in such conditions? or do i need to go for dedicated winter tires?
For what it's worth, reviews on tirerack.com give that tire poor marks for winter performance.
it's your run-of-the-mill all-season tire, so you can expect mediocre to poor winter performance
especially if this is Iowa
I do a lot of driving in upstate new york, delivery driving. I have a wide range of conditions because I am right by the catskill mountains.
When winter hits, I ditch the all seasons and put the winters on. It isn't worth my life to risk using tires that are not meant for winter. It is no fun hitting a patch of ice and knowing you are just along for the ride, especially on curvy mountain roads.
As far as what you need to do, it depends on how much you possibly need to drive in nasty conditions. There is a big difference in somebody that works from home, and somebody like me, that whatever the conditions, I will be out in it.
At the least, I would suggest an all weather tire, like the Nokian WR G4. that are like a hybrid between an all season and a winter tire. They won't be as good as a dedicated winter tire, but they will be a lot better than pretty much any all season tire. I used the WR G4 and the Nokian Rotiivas on my suv, both did well in winter conditions, but I could drive them all year.
If you have room for it, and the funds, you can buy another set of rims like I do, and get full winter tires.
So how bad is the winters where you live?
If you have never driven in snow, watch this
@g-t I like the first one showing the difference around a curve, two out of three aren't likely making it home.
Yes. You need to be careful with winter tyres too. In some situations snow chains save you from headache.
@g-5 Here is one of my favorites that shows the difference in 4 tires, up from all season, to mild winter tire, to full winter non studded, and studded. Being as it is from Nokian, the folks who invented the winter tire, even the all season is likely slanted more toward winter than most other tires.
Studded tyres are the best. Unfortunatelly they are not allowed where I live.