Multiple Deaths as Truck Plows Into Berlin Christmas Market

[OriZ 3,157]

Jeep have always had a reputation for not getting stuck in dicey conditions, and they are still very popular despite Consumers Report. I don't usually follow CR as their ratings seem to be a bit biased, although they didn't do Tesla any favors on the Model S or Model X. The reliability and utility of a car is more related to individual personal experience and essentially anecdotal. I for one have had several GM vehicles last me well over 300K miles with only routine maintenance, but I can imagine if I had a vehicle, no matter the brand, that was constantly in the shop it would piss me off as well.

A V8 Engine and some good winter tires(btw, studded tires are allowed here but not in Wi, are they allowed where you are?) sure help plow through any "sticky" situation. It feels good knowing you're not going to end up spinning your wheels even trying to get out of a snow bank or even going over 2 feet of snow or something. And you are right, they are very popular, especially wherever alot of winter driving conditions are done. Over here in the winter to start with probably about half the vehicles on the road(as I am sure over there as well) are some kind of truck, and out of them many are Jeep SUVs. Because they simply do amazing, on any surface, be it 2 feet of snow or a layer of ice. Plus as I said before the engines are a thing of beauty, they just don't quit.

I will admit we have had some frustrating issues with it, but then again we have also put over 130,000 miles on it in under 3.5 years so at the end of the day I think the cost or trouble we've gone through to fix the issues is worth it for the driving experience you get with them(and again the rock solid engine). I have never had any concerns with this car no matter where I drive. It has done well for us. I also happen to like their design much better than a ford for example...better than most vehicles really. Like you said it's a personal preference.

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

IMHO, studded tires are pretty worthless. But a set of Blizzak tires (or local equivalent) and you will never spin out again under controlled circumstances. It is nothing short of amazing how well Blizzaks grip on snow and ice. Had studs on one vehicle, and Blizzaks on another (both FWD), and found myself slipping and spinning constantly with studded tires. Plus, you HAVE to take them off by a certain date come spring.

[OriZ 3,157]

IMHO, studded tires are pretty worthless. But a set of Blizzak tires (or local equivalent) and you will never spin out again under controlled circumstances. It is nothing short of amazing how well Blizzaks grip on snow and ice. Had studs on one vehicle, and Blizzaks on another (both FWD), and found myself slipping and spinning constantly with studded tires. Plus, you HAVE to take them off by a certain date come spring.

I actually just pulled up something online and not sure if it's accurate or not but I guess it says studded tires in Michigan are prohibited. In VT there are no restrictions and we can keep them on even in the summer.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/D85C4BD5-A2C0-40F9-BA7E-40C54BB0BD50/0/StuddedTireChart.pdf

The jury is still out on whether or not they help. Everybody's opinion differs. I do find them useful, especially for ice. When it comes to snow, you actually have slightly less traction because they don't allow the treads to grip as tightly, but some fish tailing is more than ok by me. They also help you stop better(again especially on an icy road) and allow you to drive at speed on the freeway without fear of black ice(although obviously you still need to be cautious). So it really depends - if you don't drive much and/or mostly on snow or slush, and on main roads...studless is fine. But if you do alot of country and unpaved roads, and drive on inches thick as well as black ice, definitely need the studs imo.

I've never used blizzak but I like nokian and arctic claw. I'd say blizzak is probably better than arctic claw but nokian is by far the best.

Edited December 22, 2016 by OriZ

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

Well, the only thing I found to be "slippier" than studded were summer tires, though not by much. Stopping and starting with studs, even on ice, was horrible. I literally could NOT accelerate much at all on ice until I was moving forward at idle. Meanwhile, I could "get on it" using Blizzaks, and not spin out. Same with stopping. Regularly drove 65mph on pure ice with the BZs, but would rarely get over 50 (on the same roads) with the studded tires. YMMV

[OriZ 3,157]

Well, the only thing I found to be "slippier" than studded were summer tires, though not by much. Stopping and starting with studs, even on ice, was horrible. I literally could NOT accelerate much at all on ice until I was moving forward at idle. Meanwhile, I could "get on it" using Blizzaks, and not spin out. Same with stopping. Regularly drove 65mph on pure ice with the BZs, but would rarely get over 50 (on the same roads) with the studded tires. YMMV

Yup, different experiences for sure. Maybe something to do with the type of FWD used?

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

why would anyone drive on snow and ice ?

[OriZ 3,157]

why would anyone drive on snow and ice ?

Well you see naitch...when you live in the NE, sometimes you don't have a choice.

And sometimes it's just fun.

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

Well you see naitch...when you live in the NE, sometimes you don't have a choice.

And sometimes it's just fun.

I just got a 4wd truck. I am prepared for the 1/2 inch of snow we get every 6 years ?

[OriZ 3,157]

I just got a 4wd truck. I am prepared for the 1/2 inch of snow we get every 6 years ?

LOL. I think we got more than that this morning on our way into the shop.

[yuna628 9,528]

why would anyone drive on snow and ice ?

Because when they say come into work and we don't care how bad the weather is or else you won't get paid, a lot of us just have to. Did you see that accident on the news we had during a tiny ice storm? Something like a sixty car pile-up and a couple of people dead.

[OriZ 3,157]

[TBoneTX 43,058]

I propose that the spelling be officially changed to "tyres."

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

Oh lawd, please don't tell us you got one of them thar Tacomas...

I just got a 4wd truck. I am prepared for the 1/2 inch of snow we get every 6 years ?

[The Nature Boy 7,659]

Oh lawd, please don't tell us you got one of them thar Tacomas...

No sir I got a Tundra

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

Oh my, did you really... I seem to remember the Tundra came in last place against the other full-size trucks.

No sir I got a Tundra