First winter driving in snow

[free5ty1e]

So ummm... yeah. I've never had to use all-season tires, snow tires, or any type of snow chain before. If I were to, say, plan a trip down I-80 to go to Reno on a day where it had snowed... even if they had already salted it... should I attempt the trip with normal tires? How are the conditions on I-80 after its been salted? I'd like to hear about any experience winter driving with a Subaru, especially on I-80 in Nevada.

[soloracer]

If by "normal tires" you mean "summer only" and not all-seasons it would not be recomended in any way shape or form. Summer tires get really hard in lower temps and have little grip even on dry pavement. The compound in all season tires will still be able to grip in colder tempratures. If you have at least all seasons take it easy and you'll be ok.

[free5ty1e]

Cool, thanks. Thats what I was figuring I just have zero experience with snowy winters

[georryan]

Yeah, I ran over Snaqualame (sp?), just east of Seattle, one winter. They closed the roads after our caravan made it through the police chain check station. My car had all seasons on and it was a CRAZY trip. The roads were horrible, but the car did alright. In snow you shouldn't be going 100 mph anyway. I gripped fine, slipped here and there but did ok. I had snow tires on my Legacy for a while, they were studless, but holy crap did they grip.

[kidatari]

Check out http://www.seccs.org/forum . It's the 'Subaru Enthusiasts Car Club of the Sierras' website, lots of Reno guys on there.

I personally have only driven I-80 from Sacramento to Reno, so I don't know about 80 towards your direction. But if you post on SECCS, they should be able to give you some guidance

Remember to go slow and that AWD doesn't help you stop in the snow. When you think you've given yourself enough distance between cars, give yourself a little more.