Do you remove winter tires b4 driving south?

[Jeffan1ca]

We're driving from Toronto to WDW via 401 and I75 leaving March 12. A friend mentioned removing my winter tires prior to leaving, as they don't fair well in the warmth of Florida, and installing my all-seasonals. His recommendation took me by surprise. It's a crap shoot as to what the driving conditions could be until we reach warming climes. In my opionin the peace of mind and security level the winter tires provide over all-seasonals is unsurpassed. I doubt I will remove them in order to put tire wear and tear over family safety, but I'm curious as to what others do.

 

[yxe dad]

Winter tires aren't made for warm/hot weather and will break down very quickly!

A few years ago my father was driving from Saskatoon to Palm Springs CA with Winter tires on his car. By the time he arrived in Palm Springs the tires had wore so much that the steel belts(I think that's what they're called) were showing and needed to buy a set of new tires in Palm Springs.

I would recommend switching back to your all seasons for the safety of your family. The guys at the tire shop told my father his tire/s could have blown at any moment.

Shayne

 

[christiane]

Yes, you will need to remove them before you hit the warm climate.

Our mechanic told us to remove our winter tires once the average temperature was going to stay above about 10C, I think. He said in very warm weather, the softer tread compound in winter tires will start to become sticky on the pavement & will wear down quickly.

Have a fun trip!

 

[TimNDansMom]

What a coincidence to see this thread!

The other day, we were contemplating driving down to Florida and Dh brought up this very point about my car having snow tires on so we'd have to take his or I'd have to buy the new all seasons I was planning on buying when the snows come off. That's pretty scary that snow tires deteriorate so quickly in warmer weather!

In the end we booked a flight!

 

[Ham Ham]

Tough call. Some of the northern states you'll drive through may still get a storm. I had this conversation with my local tire guy last fall.
He drives down every March break with the kids to Orlando and leaves the snow tires on his van. He says since he's only there a week the impact is minimal. He did point out to check the pressure as it can fluctuate when leaving -5C Ontario to 25C Florida.

I think if I was driving down I would leave my winter tires on. But to each his own.

 

[DCinNs]

Leaving your winter tires on for a week or two will not hurt them enough to warrant the cost of changing them now & when you get back. Also I would not take the chance, and that you will very likely need them somewhere on the drive down. Definately have the air pressure adjusted when you arrive and again when you get home. If your tires are torn off when you arrive then you likely have other front end issues. It wouldn't hurt to have a wheel alignment along with having your car checked over before your trip.

Derrick

 

[nokidz]

We drive down to Florida a few times every winter. We always leave the snows on. Unless you have fairly new all seasons to replace them with, I would leave the snows on. With the unpredictability of the weather driving there and back, I would rather be safe then sorry, plus, if they deteriorate that fast, they are not that good to begin with.

 

[Canadave]

As we were coming down the mountain on I75 on our last trip in February....with a layer of ice...and a few inches of snow on top...and more snow coming down....as we passed many cars stuck on the side of the road...and passed many cars weaving all over the road........yes, snow tires can be a VERY GOOD idea!!! We just traveled 15-20 kph in the middle lane...and arrived at the bottom with only tight shoulder muscles. I'm positive that without the snow tires, things would have been much different.
We also had a similar trip traveling through Ohio in ice rain.

 

[dancin Disney style]

I asked my DH about this topic.....he is in the auto biz and deals with tires as part of his job.

He said that having them on in FL in the winter is fine. It's not that hot and it's only for a week or two. He said that for making the drive from Ontario to FL there is far more cold climate/winter driving along the way than there is warm. It would be far better to have the winter tires on.

 

[Canadave]

What kind of adjustment to the air pressure in the tires when in Florida? More or less air?

 

[dancin Disney style]

What kind of adjustment to the air pressure in the tires when in Florida? More or less air?

They should always be inflated to the specified amount. You would need to check the pressure when you get there and adjust accordingly.

 

[Canadave]

They should always be inflated to the specified amount. You would need to check the pressure when you get there and adjust accordingly.

Thanks...just wasn't sure if they should be over or underinflated

 

[dancin Disney style]

Thanks...just wasn't sure if they should be over or underinflated

Over or under with any tire is not a good idea. They are made to be operated at a specified level.

 

[Canadave]

Over or under with any tire is not a good idea. They are made to be operated at a specified level.

That's what I thought...and what I have always done...I just misunderstood the comment by DCinNs...thought I might have missed something