Worth it to put on winter tires in Feb in GTA?
 

Hey all, I'm picking up my BRZ next week and was debating if I should put on winter tires in February. I don't need to drive to work so I was thinking I could maybe survive on the stock summers for another 2 months of so until Spring.

Or I could play it safe and have winter put on regardless. What do you guys think? Mind you, I live in Toronto, so the roads are usually clear since the temps get warmer once in a while. Just worried about the summers tires below 7 degrees Celsius losing traction.

I'd play it safe if I were you. Being RWD, I'd want as much help as I need in case of a big snow fall.

If you're planning on driving it in the winter next year, you might as well just get them on now and enjoy the car. Temps are still going to be low enough for a winter tire for a good 8-10 weeks.

Get some winter tires. Just look at the weather in the GTA today... Better safe than sorry.

I'd definitely be worried about that. I find even my high-performance all-seasons (Michelin Pilot Exalto AS) lose some dry-road traction when it's at or below freezing.

I would say just wait and see, honestly this weather is un-predicatble.

Tommorw's supposed to rain.

http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/caon0696

But like everyone said, if you are gonna drive it next winter, just invest into it now.

i'm getting my BRZ probably around the same time as you, and i live in Toronto too.
I'm not planning to get the winter tires right away cause i don't need to drive it to work. I want to shop for a new set of rims and winter tires after the summer so i don't want to rush into getting an ugly steelie for winter. When the weather gets really bad in Feb i'll just not drive.

If you're going to drive it in the winter next year just get them now. Keep in mind, tire shops are clearing out inventory for the next few weeks so you may get a good deal on winter tires.

Are you planning on getting a different set of wheels/tires for your winter setup? If you planned on doing that, just pick up a set now, that way, you are set for the next few years.

If you are just buying tires, and swapping them on your current wheels, then it is totally up to you. If you have another car to get around in, and know for sure you wont be tempted to drive in the snow, then by all means, wait until next winter.

I live in the Peterborough area and we get a bit more snow than you do down there, I drove my FRS once without snow tires in some very, very light snow and it scared the hell out of me! Never again, not even once. I'm riding on Pirelli Ice Control snow tires now and they're great. It only takes a second in bad snow and you'll be cursing, don't take the chance.

Just get a pair of 18" for summer wheels.

Sell your rubber on the 17", and buy winter rubber on the 17" to put on your stock wheels.

I did what BioRage suggested above. That way my car doesn't look like crap in the winter.

Toronto or not, the temperatures in winter are not at all suited for a summer tire. Change them out or don't drive at all.

speak for yourself

my silver finish 16" steelies look ballin. :burnrubber:


and to the OP, this should not even be a question for you. Winter tires are winter tires because they retain grip @ low temperatures, the fact that they are also good in snow is just icing on the cake.

today (january 28th) is a perfect example of why you need winters at all time during winter. Should you have to drive anywhere today you would be a serious road hazard for everyone around you.