Parsec

I have a 2012 Q5 2.0 and reside in a suburb west of Boston (between 128 and 495). I was wondering if you guys think I need to purchase snow tires for the winter. I personally have never owned snow tires, but the wife is driving the Q5 and takes the kids to school/daycare everyday. It would give me peace of mind knowing she's safer, but are they really necessary? We also take the car to the Poconos in PA frequently to visit my parents. Opinions please?

Q5White13

I'm living in Toronto area and I think Boston is similar to here.
I've never had winter tires but my wife has had them and told me they're a lot better on snow and icy road. AWD Q5 with winter tires are the best for safety in winter.

uberwgn

parsec, welcome aboard! Can you think back two winters ago?

Coolieman1220

you can drive the Q w/o winters and it drives well. it'll go through deep snow well. however you won't be able to stop and turning gets tricky (although the traction control takes care of that real well)

i have winters on my BMW rear wheel drive. Through deep snow it's not as stable but it feels soooo nice to be able to stop and turn. I have winters because my other tires are summers.

Parsec

Unfortunately we remember that winter all too well. That's the year my wife tried to stop at a stop sign in her Honda CR-V, but instead she slid right through the intersection across a major road. Thank God there were no cars coming in either direction. We decided to buy her an Audi partly due to that experience.

NABS4

Your intersection experience was a function of the rubber, not the CR-V. Not saying that you would have definitely stopped with snow tires, but you would have had a better chance.

AudiQ5sleeper

you will be fine, im in boston as well. i ran all season tires on my old car going 45+ in a snow storm.(front wheel drive too, suspensions dropped) Imagine the Q5 AWD system. just dont slam on the brakes. Drive with caution and safely.

HotRodW

Absolutely. Small price to pay for peace of mind. What's more important than your family's safety?

rdA4WtQ5

And save summer tire wear and no salt damage to summer wheels.
Winter tires have better traction for stopping on cold dry pavement also.

Otto Man

Bite the bullet and get a set of snow tires and winter rims from Tire Rack or a place like that. Your summer tires will last a lot longer. Plus,it gives you an opportunity to give your rims a thurough cleaning. You hust need to find a corner in your garage to store a stack of tires. I have 3 stacks....no more please.