With this amount of snow, I don’t think AWD with fuel-efficient tires will get you out of trouble
I ended up getting Cooper Discoverer Enduramax all-weather tires which will be put on tomorrow. I also ordered car SnowSocks, which came highly recommended for when you’re in a pinch like we were today. I’ll keep the tires that came with the vehicle for summer. After a long discussion, we decided that since we only drive in snow when we visit NH and VT, getting snow tires wouldn’t make sense as they would wear out too quickly. We mostly drive on highways in Virginia and PA/WV where there’s no snow, except on the mountains. But we spend 2-3 weeks here over Christmas with a lot of snow and then a couple of storms here and there during January-March. On the way back, my cousin’s neighbor was stuck in the road shoveling herself out. She was in a four-wheel-drive Ford Explorer with studded snow tires. It made me feel a little better. We asked if she needed help, but we made it out .
@LyamGenesis
Hi, which snow socks did you buy? I am looking for one for my 2025 KIA Carnival hybrid. Do I need snow tires? We are thinking of visiting the Grand Canyon during Christmas.
jordansmith said:
@LyamGenesis
Hi, which snow socks did you buy? I am looking for one for my 2025 KIA Carnival hybrid. Do I need snow tires? We are thinking of visiting the Grand Canyon during Christmas.
Hi! I’ll post the link to them here for you. Unless you’re consistently in snow and ice with very cold weather, snow tires might wear out quickly. I ended up putting on heavy-tread all-weather tires. We drove up to Killington, VT in 19°F with snow and ice and at one point had to drive up a steep ½-mile road. I was slipping but made it. I had no issues other than the incline. It was much better than the other day at my cousin’s with the old tires (came with the car and had 5000 miles on them). Here’s the link to the socks. I haven’t tried them yet, they were just delivered last night. Tire Socks for Snow, Snow Socks for Car/SUV/Pickup - Better Alternative to Tire Chains 6005: Amazon.com
We just got snow tires installed today (Ontario, Canada). Our tire guy (who is amazing!) read our manual because ours was his first '25 Carnival. It said we should drop down to 17” rims for snow tires to lower the profile and increase traction. We went with Nitto SN3s. Fingers crossed they hold up in the Canadian winter .
@fabgise
Nice! Keep me posted if you remember! .
@fabgise
What 17” rims did you get, or better yet, what type of old Kia rims fit the Carnival?
OptimaOwner said:
@fabgise
What 17” rims did you get, or better yet, what type of old Kia rims fit the Carnival?
We bought Boost RSSW black alloys! Fit like a glove.
OptimaOwner said:
@fabgise
What 17” rims did you get, or better yet, what type of old Kia rims fit the Carnival?
We bought Boost RSSW black alloys! Fit like a glove.
Did you go for the 18” rims?
@OptimaOwner
Nope, we went for the 17” Boost RSSW: link
@fabgise
Did you have to buy the TPS sensors with the rims?
OptimaOwner said:
@fabgise
Did you have to buy the TPS sensors with the rims?
It was optional. We didn’t get them.
OptimaOwner said:
@fabgise
Did you have to buy the TPS sensors with the rims?
It was optional. We didn’t get them.
Okay, thanks! I appreciate the info.
OptimaOwner said:
@fabgise
Did you have to buy the TPS sensors with the rims?
It was optional. We didn’t get them.
What tires did you end up getting?
@OptimaOwner
Nitto SN3s
@fabgise
Ontario too, but I went with 19” Michelin X-Ice Snow SUV. Didn’t want to lower the trim because of the car specs.
Are you in an area that doesn’t get snow usually or did you not have time yet to get snow tires? The fuel economy tires on my hybrid are good for mpg but not great for grip.
TurboTraveler said:
Are you in an area that doesn’t get snow usually or did you not have time yet to get snow tires? The fuel economy tires on my hybrid are good for mpg but not great for grip.
We live in Virginia now, but we often go back to New Hampshire. I didn’t think we’d get snow for Thanksgiving, so I didn’t get snow tires yet. They’ll be on for Christmas when we come back!
@LyamGenesis
Gotcha. Central VA here, so winter tires aren’t really needed with the all-season tires.