Originally Posted By: Sequoiasoon
Whatever you do I HIGHLY recommend having them put on extra rims. If you don't you will pay $100 in fall and again in spring to mount/dismount/remount that adds up quick. Ask Tirerack or wherever you get them about "cloning" your TPMS
http://www.standardbrand.com/TPMS-Standard Cloning Process/Content.aspx This way you can driveway swap and keep all TPMS functions.
Definitely going on new wheels. You're correct, cost of 4 OEM steelies is a little more than one season of mounting and unmounting. I honestly need to investigate the TPMS more, I planned on ordering OEM from a dealer but need to research if they need to be programmed (and what the cost might end up being).
Originally Posted By: faramir9
I (almost certainly) know part of the route the OP takes on his daily commute. On dry days at rush hour it can be like NASCAR. He said part of the trip is at speeds up to 80 mph. For that part of the trip there will be bare or nearly bare roads more often than not, unless it is a very bad winter.
This is pretty accurate, and as famamir9 and UG_Passat put together, the 24 mile run at 65 to 80 mph is I-287. Speed is not the issue it's the thought process (or lack of) of many drivers (passing on the right, not enough space between vehicles, merging without enough time to get up to speed, etc.
In reality there could be (on average) 1 trip a week during a bad winter that becomes a questionable drive. The vast majority of the time is dry pavement. When the snow falls and the plows can't keep up, it is a long commute. To be fair, it's not my commute but the gf's (which probably makes me over think the decision as well).
I also broke out the trip as I did because it presents various breaks in driving patterns, plow and salt quality, etc. Last year presented 3 to 4 times with heavy snow that I swear was not touched on the road for the last 4 to 5 miles. All that said, I managed in a Ford Aspire (if you don't know, insert
glorified clown car and you'll get the picture) and new KR21s. She managed in the Saturn with P4's, probably ~8/32nds.
Originally Posted By: UG_Passat
I'm pretty sure I know much of his route, which is mainly to avoid traffic as much as possible, as I question why he needs to swing around into Bergen Co, to get to Morris Co (which I used to live and still work).
Q-speed rated snow tires is more than sufficient.
Coming from ORange Co area, I would think the OP would go into NJ either from the Sussex Co side (ie like Vernon) or Passaic County (ie Greenwood Lake), and make his way to Rte 23, which can be a parking lot in certain areas, until he gets to I-287
I guess that would depend where your starting point is in OC. If you start around Harriman, Monroe, maybe even Washingtonville and Chester, the Thruway to 287 is a pretty clean run. I just prefer to keep off the thruway as there is no exit if you hit traffic, plus I can avoid the tolls both ways (hence the 14 miles at 55 mph with some 35 mph stops) and some easy pull offs in the case of a breakdown. Thru Greenwood Lake or Warwick (I think that may be where you were thinking I am) always appears to me to be a bit longer, if not in miles in time.