WA- OR commute
 

Quick question to all of you living in the area- is it really worth it to invest in tires with studs? My work route is Battle Ground to Hillsboro. Looking at spending probably $400-$500 on something I never worried about before....will spend the money if it's wise, but don't want to blow money just because Les Schwab thinks it's a great thing to do. Any input?

Don't bother. You only need studded tires if you are regularly traveling over mountain passes. I've lived in Oregon (Portland, Salem, Eugene) all my life and I've never bought studded tires, not even when my folks lived in Sisters and I did drive over the mountains regularly. Get a set of tire chains and keep them in the trunk for the rare snow day.

Studs are prohibited by many states on most public roads except in certain conditions.

I think most people can get by, and do get by, Portland winters with regular all-season tires. But if you want better traction, and have the money and room to store your regulars, I'd suggest a "performance"-type winter tires that's S- or T-rated. These tires are very driveable on dry and wet roads, and are better in snow/ice than all-seasons. [They will wear out fast in warm weather, on dry roads.]

Stay away from the hardcord winter tires that are Q-rated. They are great on snow/ice, but not good in dry/wet.

Thanks to both of you for the input! I have 4 WD,so I wasn't really even worried about snowfall.I just wondered if the studs were worth their cost for the icy conditions (the only part of the trip I "worry"about is 26 by the Zoo) the drama queens at work talk about...I'd much rather keep the money in my pocket!

Don't worry about that section of road. I used to commute that way and never had a problem there. If the roads are bad, the entire area just shuts down anyway.

If you have 4WD, Mud/Snow tires will do fine. That's what I have to go to the Sierra.

Yeah, if there's even a hint of snow in Portland people ABANDON THEIR CARS on the shoulders of the freeways! Never seen anything like it myself, having grown up on the east coast driving in show.

That section of 26 by the zoo also gets a lot of attention from the road crews, so you probably don't need to get too woried about it in the snow.

Andrew

I agree with everyone but I think it is a good idea to have a pair of chains and know how to use them. Les Schwab used to sell something called "Z" chains, which are very easy to install cables. They are cheap and essential if you have to go out and it is icy. The AWD won't help on the ice, and most winters Portland sees an ice storm or two. You can't use chains on all vehicles, though. This is something you would need to check on with the manufacturer of your vehicle.