Tire Stuff...

[Canuck]

I have been driving on winter specific tires here in the North West for 40 plus years. Always had them on spare rims and the changeover in Spring and fall is therapeutic.

This fall I bough a used Mercedes for our daughter to use on her Maternity leave. It s RWD model and chose the new Goodyear all Weather tires as her driving does not justify two sets of wheels and tires and she does not go out in the early stages of a snowfall. So far the tires appear to live up to their claims and the compound is good for "all seasons".
I am a big fan of Michelin and think their X ice tires are the best. Have also run Blizzaks in the past.
My wife noted that she prefers the winter tires on her X5, which are in fact smoother and quieter than the Summer latitudes, probably because of the compound.
Insurance companies and Highway regulators are getting stricter about using proper winter tires.
I do get pissed when I am renting a car in a city that gets winter and the rental agency wants me to pay $30 extra for a car with snow tires.