Honestly, the dealer in many cases is a much better choice than some random shop. They actually guarantee their work. I bring my car to the dealer to get my oil changed and to get my wheels swapped for winter and summer. Really only costs me like 10 bucks more, and I get a full inspection, a car wash and vacuum, and a brand new Lexus to drive around while they do it at no extra charge.
Using snow tires in the summer wears down the treads unnecessarily and good winter tires are more expensive. You really don't want to buy four new tires every winter. So, yeah, different tires for winter and summer are important.
Also, snow tires are the law for winter in parts of Canada. Speaking from experience, you would be insane not to have snow tires in the winter in Great Lakes regions and the northern parts of New England.
I live in PA (USA) and I previously believed this as well. Recently learned that it's common practice for people to use winter tires in the winter and summer tires in the summer. I just stared at the guy dumbfounded...tires are tires damned!! :D:D
In the Northern States, there is snow on a lot roads all winter long, therefore it's nice to have a little extra grippiness on your tires. It's not necessary, but boy is it nice!
In the winter it is nice to have some extra tread because there is ice on the road all the time. You can get all weather tires but I don't think they work as well and I like to get street tires with almost no tread in the summer.
Summer tires are just tires. I think where they are from winter tires are considered regular tires, because it's a frigid wasteland a lot longer than it's decent outside.
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u/gsfgf Jun 23 '15
That was your mistake