I'm In Maine

[jjmojo]

Originally Posted by LarryLogger

Next question: when do people in mid-coast (Belfast area) usually put on their snow tires? Don't want to wear the tires on warm dry pavement nor wait until snow is actually falling

Hi, I'm in Belfast too. People here put on their winter tires the day before the big storm. Or, if they make it through the first big storm with summer tires, then they wait until the day before the next big storm. It's pretty funny to go by the tire warehouse and see the packed bays, when for weeks they were empty. Of course it's not funny if you need to get your tires on so you can keep driving, and every shop in town you call can't fit you in, even the guy who does your regular repairs and stickers. ask me how i know... Also be prepared for some major sticker shock on mounting and balancing, at least if you're used to small-town prices, that's mostly gone now.
P.s. if you plan to keep your jeep consider fluid film. bj's does it locally, they are friendly. i have found searsport auto sprays a lot more goop for the same price, tho they will get it all over the rubber bushings, wires, etc. and it will stink you out for a couple weeks lol

[mainegrl2011]

Friends who put on snow tires have already done so. First snow Hancock County, 2018 was November 15. I tried to get my tires rotated in early December two years ago and there was a 2-week waiting period for an appointment.

[Cambium]

Originally Posted by mainegrl2011

Friends who put on snow tires have already done so. First snow Hancock County, 2018 was November 15. I tried to get my tires rotated in early December two years ago and there was a 2-week waiting period for an appointment.

Looks like 1st snows will fall next week. Maybe this weekend is a good time to throw them on. Unless people still want to wait for the bigger one which isn't happening yet. Always good to save the tires from getting worn out for no reason.

[Submariner]

Maine has many different micro-climates.

4X4 is mostly useful if you plan to do a lot of off-road mudding.

Most Maine municipalities seem to be pretty good at snow removal. So unless you plan to do a lot of commuting at 2am, thick snowfall on the roads is not much of an issue.

My vehicles do not have high clearance. So far after 12 years in Maine, it has only been an issue for me, within my own driveway. If the fresh snow reaches about 6 inches parts of our vehicles begin dragging in the snow and by about 8 inches our vehicles will high-center and there is not enough weight on the tires to keep forward momentum going. But has only happened to us, in our driveway. That is when I need to startup my tractor and blow our driveway clear.

The real issue here in my township is black ice. Our town is 'low-lying' along a river. All of our township is within flood plain and most of our township is peat bog. When fog rises up off all that standing water, and if the pavement is below freezing, the fog will freeze on the pavement, and it forms a thin layer of ice. The pavement looks perfectly clean and dry. But you can not stand on it. Any attempt to stand on black ice will result in you hurting yourself. It is slick.

We have found that studded tires can grip on the ice, and give us steerage [a nautical term]. Otherwise a parked car will slide down an incline if that incline has black ice on it.