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M+S versus Winter Tires

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skiingskis
Posts: 19 - Karma: 57
My tires say M+S on them and are pretty new. Bought the car used so don't know much about these tires.

Are these considered o.k. to drive into the mountains? Would you just always put on something different since these basically look like all-seasons to me?
Nov 8 2020 2:40PM
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WoFIowz
Posts: 9790 - Karma: 72,421
Maybe, maybe not. Best thing would be to look up the tire model. Should be listed on the sidewall
Nov 8 2020 3:18PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51675 - Karma: 162,683
You can absolutely drive any tires with good tread in the mountains. That said, some states have certain requirements for the tires when it's snowing on mountain passes. In some places like around Tahoe they do chain control checkpoints. In CO I never saw one but I'm sure if you got in an accident and didn't have chains or whatever the required tires for your car you'd get a ticket.

I've driven winters on some bald ass tires. The biggest thing is figuring out what your grip is looking like and not driving like a douche. But if you have big mountain passes around you definitely check what your state requires.
Nov 8 2020 3:25PM
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BigPurpleSkiSuit
Posts: 9371 - Karma: 68,477
I slapped some sumitomo ice edges on for this year since they're half the price of blizzaks, just drove them in the snow today and I can confirm they work rather nicely.
Nov 8 2020 3:30PM
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ASSholebomber22
Posts: 6611 - Karma: 69,812
Dedicated winter tires are probably better than 3pmsf tire, which are probably much better than any all season with a m+s rating.

If you can, get some winter tires. It makes all the difference and it'll be safer for you and everyone else on the road
Nov 8 2020 3:52PM
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freestyler540
Posts: 13084 - Karma: 18,731
Look for the montain snowflake marking on the sidewall. If its not there, its a 4 season and shouldnt be used in the winter. There is a huge difference on handling, but gripping too. There are some passes in the Kootenays that are impossible to cross without the right tires.
Nov 8 2020 4:22PM
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skiingskis
Posts: 19 - Karma: 57
I live in CO so with my Outback I believe technically I'm not breaking any rules. However still want to get an idea of how dumb it is to drive out there with the tires I have versus it being a should-have.

Buying winter tires isn't a money issue, just an annoying thing to store. It doesn't snow that much in CO and I'm pretty used to driving on snow. I thought I would feel it out for a trip or two before making the decision. Definitely would be my first time with winter tires if I got them.
Nov 8 2020 5:20PM
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ASSholebomber22
Posts: 6611 - Karma: 69,812
skiingskisI live in CO so with my Outback I believe technically I'm not breaking any rules. However still want to get an idea of how dumb it is to drive out there with the tires I have versus it being a should-have.

Buying winter tires isn't a money issue, just an annoying thing to store. It doesn't snow that much in CO and I'm pretty used to driving on snow. I thought I would feel it out for a trip or two before making the decision. Definitely would be my first time with winter tires if I got them.


If you're not going up i70, sure. If you're going up i70, get snow tires. Or be one of those clowns that slams their shitbox subarus into the side of the mountain because they couldn't slow down in time on the floyd hill clusterfuck. Choice is yours.
Nov 8 2020 6:13PM
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skiingskis
Posts: 19 - Karma: 57
BiffbarfIf you're not going up i70, sure. If you're going up i70, get snow tires. Or be one of those clowns that slams their shitbox subarus into the side of the mountain because they couldn't slow down in time on the floyd hill clusterfuck. Choice is yours.

Yeah I feel like there's no reason to be a dick about it. I've not had winter tires for multiple winters on vehicles with much worse snow capabilities than my current.

I was hoping to understand if it is a complete no go or not. According to CDOT M+S is sufficient even without AWD. So apparently you know something they don't - like that all cars on i70 without winter tires crash.
Nov 8 2020 6:54PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51675 - Karma: 162,683
Another thread where somebody downvoted every valid response. People are weird.
Nov 8 2020 7:12PM
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skiingskis
Posts: 19 - Karma: 57
theabortionatorAnother thread where somebody downvoted every valid response. People are weird.


Wasn't me. Thought the same thing.
Nov 8 2020 7:22PM
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WoFIowz
Posts: 9790 - Karma: 72,421
theabortionatorAnother thread where somebody downvoted every valid response. People are weird.

Reveal the culprit!
Nov 8 2020 7:23PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51675 - Karma: 162,683
skiingskisWasn't me. Thought the same thing.


It's been weird. I've seen it in a few threads this week. Somebody asks a question, people give legit answers, downvotes.

This is the person that pisses/shits all over bathroom stalls.
Nov 8 2020 7:37PM
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ASSholebomber22
Posts: 6611 - Karma: 69,812
skiingskisYeah I feel like there's no reason to be a dick about it. I've not had winter tires for midkultiple winters on vehicles with much worse snow capabilities than my current.

I was hoping to understand if it is a complete no go or not. According to CDOT M+S is sufficient even without AWD. So apparently you know something they don't - like that all cars on i70 without winter tires crash.


Idk why you asked when you already had your mind made up. Lmao @reciting DOT regregulations. Gov min standards isn't where you should set the bar, sport.

If you weren't an askhole, I wouldn't have been a dick. See my first response where I took you seriously. I'll be in a silver 4runner this year. It has NS stickers, if I help you out of a ditch don't be afraid to say hi
Nov 8 2020 7:51PM
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Bended_Toenail
Posts: 1417 - Karma: 10,220
theabortionatorIt's been weird. I've seen it in a few threads this week. Somebody asks a question, people give legit answers, downvotes.

This is the person that pisses/shits all over bathroom stalls.


Yeah, I've noticed the consistent downvotes on a lot of threads lately. the Nine Axis political quiz thread is a good example. And the thread about Alex Trebek's death has the same shit going on.
Nov 8 2020 8:01PM
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skiingskis
Posts: 19 - Karma: 57
BiffbarfIdk why you asked when you already had your mind made up. Lmao @reciting DOT regregulations. Gov min standards isn't where you should set the bar, sport.

If you weren't an askhole, I wouldn't have been a dick. See my first response where I took you seriously. I'll be in a silver 4runner this year. It has NS stickers, if I help you out of a ditch don't be afraid to say hi

Apparently being angry and not reading is an issue for you, so I'll re-quote my original question:


"Are these considered o.k. to drive into the mountains?"


See how my question implies that I already know they're not the absolute best option. I'm a little worried about the stopping distance but I also grew up winter driving and know how you drive is even more important than the tire... Plan to drive them once this weekend and feel it out. Leaning toward getting the tires. Thank you for the advice.

Do you have a 'native' sticker on the 4runner too?
Nov 8 2020 8:20PM
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ASSholebomber22
Posts: 6611 - Karma: 69,812
How are you so sensitive bro. First time on the internet?
Nov 8 2020 8:30PM
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skiingskis
Posts: 19 - Karma: 57
BiffbarfHow are you so sensitive bro. First time on the internet?

Are you like a meme of the colorado native skier bro? Silver 4runner and a native sticker. See you at Keystone lol
Nov 8 2020 8:32PM
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Bended_Toenail
Posts: 1417 - Karma: 10,220
skiingskisApparently being angry and not reading is an issue for you, so I'll re-quote my original question:


"Are these considered o.k. to drive into the mountains?"


See how my question implies that I already know they're not the absolute best option. I'm a little worried about the stopping distance but I also grew up winter driving and know how you drive is even more important than the tire... Plan to drive them once this weekend and feel it out. Leaning toward getting the tires. Thank you for the advice.

Do you have a 'native' sticker on the 4runner too?


skiingskisAre you like a meme of the colorado native skier bro? Silver 4runner and a native sticker. See you at Keystone lol


Dude, chill out, no one is attacking you.
Nov 8 2020 8:42PM
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WoFIowz
Posts: 9790 - Karma: 72,421
Welcome to NS op. You're fitting in well with the style. 🍿 Carry on
Nov 8 2020 8:48PM
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ASSholebomber22
Posts: 6611 - Karma: 69,812
skiingskisAre you like a meme of the colorado native skier bro? Silver 4runner and a native sticker. See you at Keystone lol

Idk bro but you're def fitting the buttmade transplate gaper stereotype. Also lol @skiing key
Nov 8 2020 8:52PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6904 - Karma: 24,636
I know people that have gone for decades up from the front range to winter park and steamboat etc with all seasons and a 4wd and never had an accident. They use pretty nice tires and drive super conservative. Snow is generally way drier there compared to here in Oregon though.
Pesonally I have snow tires for my forester and I have mountain Snowflakes on my truck and chains just in case. for me the set of steel weels and dedicated snow tires seem worth the $
Nov 8 2020 9:28PM
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skiingskis
Posts: 19 - Karma: 57
OregonDeadI know people that have gone for decades up from the front range to winter park and steamboat etc with all seasons and a 4wd and never had an accident. They use pretty nice tires and drive super conservative. Snow is generally way drier there compared to here in Oregon though.
Pesonally I have snow tires for my forester and I have mountain Snowflakes on my truck and chains just in case. for me the set of steel weels and dedicated snow tires seem worth the $


Agreed. Probably will go this route. Taking it for a test trip this week.
Nov 8 2020 9:47PM
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