Are snow tires really needed for prius winter driving?

[ski.dive]

How many of you ride in the snow with the factory 'all-terrain' tires?
How does the prius handle the snow with the factory tires?

[yadax3]

The tires that came with my 2007 Prius (I can't recall what brand any longer) were horrible on snow or ice but after switching them out for Michelin all-seasons the car handles much better, although I did lose about 2 mpg. I've always had good all-season tires and never had to buy snow tires for any of my cars, even when I lived in Colorado.

[JimboPalmer]

I do not think living in FL will require snow tires.

[morpheusx]

The original tires I had (GY Integrities) handled fine on the snow early in the season when they were still somewhat new. Being that here in Ohio we usually have about 5 - 6 months of Snow towards the end of the season they were ski's with 22,000+ miles on them even though there was easily 50 % tread left on them. A decent set of all-seasons have made enough improvements.

[a_gray_prius]

Can you do it with stock tires: Yes.
Will you be particularly happy doing it (especially after the tires wear down some): No

[Prius 07]

I still have the original Goodyear Integrity tires with >43K miles on them and two Canadian winters with them. No issues, but will have to check their condition before this winter season.

[Tideland Prius]

Depends what you call winter. If it's very light snow and light slush, it'll be fine. Anything else and it's a crap (more so the tyres, followed by the traction control system). They can barely handle the rain when they're 50% worn.

[fgoodyear]

If you are ANYPLACE where you have ANY snow, get rid of the Goodyear Integrity's NOW! They are junk to begin with. I only got 30k when they were worn out. Toyota replaced them because of the bad wear. The one winter I had them it was awful. I live in upstate NY, we have snow. I now have a set of Yokohama Avids. They have 30k and are barely worn. Notice my last name...... still wouldn't use Goodyear Integrity's if I got em free. You with 2 Canadian winters are VERY much the exception

[hill]

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

Depends what you call winter. If it's very light snow and light slush, it'll be fine. Anything else and it's a crap (more so the tyres, followed by the traction control system). They can barely handle the rain when they're 50% worn.

+1

There are tons of threads previously posted. Folks are all over the board on it. But hard core winter ice & snow plus the integrity's don't go together.

[jayman]

Even up here, there are plenty of folks who believe that "all season" tires really do work in drenched summer roads, -40 drifted over highways, and everything inbetween. They won't spend the approx $1,000 for dedicated wheels and studded tires for real winter conditions

But, they WILL complain when they spin out, smack a guardrail or tree, or another vehicle, pay a deductible, and be forced to rent a car to get to work while theirs is in the body shop