My son goes to college in central Washington. We live in western Washington, and during the winter, Snoqualmie Pass can be treacherous. Lots of times WashDOT says 'traction tires required except for 4WD/AWD vehicles'.

We just got my son a 2015 Ford Escape S, 2.5L, 2WD for school. His old 95 Buick probably wouldn't have survived the trip over the pass.

So, for him to come home at Thanksgiving/Christmas/Semester Breaks where Snoqualmie Pass can have snow, I am thinking of getting him some dedicated studless snow tires for year round use. He will probably only put 5-6k miles per year on the vehicle, and he has two years of college left.

What is a reasonable treadlife expectation for year round use on dedicated snow tires?

The other option I am looking at is getting him some all season tires with the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol on them.

Not really wanting to go the route of a dedicated set of wheels/tires for winter due to lack of storage space at home.

TIA

Not long for winter tires in the summer. You may want to check some tire stores, some let you store your winter tires. Otherwise if you don't have the room, get all season tires. Have him check the weather before driving, if it's bad, don't go.

I wish it were that easy - the 'don't go' part. His school basically kicks him out of the dorm within 24 hours of his last final exam, so in December, he HAS to be out of the dorm.

I remember those days, I recall same story. Only back then I would have just driven on half bald a/s and not thought twice of it.

Snow's won't take well to hot roads. But if it's mostly parked in the summer, or lightly driven, then who cares. Worst case, you have to buy a second set halfway through. I'm doubtful that would be required, but IMO that is worst case scenario.

How much ice? I wonder if Winterforce might be the ticket.

Just so that you look like you know, these tires are not all seasons, but "All Weather" tires and they do have the mountain peak which shows that they are suitable for winter use. They'll do a very good job under most circumstances, but if you get into deep snow they won't do the job of dedicated winter tires. Only you knows what is best for your conditions, but we are also talking of life & death in the winter mountain pass.

Well, except for unusually heavy snowfalls, the pass is pretty much maintained, but if WADOT posts traction tires required, then the state patrol can ticket him with just all season/all weather tires unless they have the 3PMS symbol on them.

In my experience and on a lightwieight, FWD vehicle, Michelin Xi will last quite a while even when driven all year round. They’re unfun though to drive on dry pavement and will have reduced handling and stopping distance when compared to all seasons.

You may also want to explore the so called “performance winter” tires like the Michelin Alpin, Pirelli Sottozero or Bridgestone LM series. I found the Alpin PA3 to have decent behaviour in summer too.

These are the 3PMS tires I am looking at:

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp...p;autoModClar=S

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp...p;autoModClar=S

Nokian Rotiiva AT plus.

https://www.nokiantires.com/all-weather-tires/nokian-rotiiva-at-plus/

Run all season.

The Rotiiva AT's on our Jeep have been very good in the winter including snow and sleet storms and decent on icy roads as well.

this might help

https://www.tyrepress.com/2016/09/all-season-tyres-fail-to-shake-compromise-stigma-in-german-test/

Do they allow chains? I'm wondering if a cheap set might work here. Undesirable but then it might open up tire choices. Tire chains or whatever the steel wire ones are.

Those are truck tires. The Ford Escape is not a truck. Tire size is 235/55-17.

Also I would inquire with the college what is their dorm policy during a winter storm. If they kick the kids out while the Public Alert radios are blaring, they’re prime sueball and newspaper material.

Ellensburg gets show and they handle it well. The pass is quite a distance away and elevated at 3022 ft so the weather is quite different between the two at times.

Both my brother & I have ran the GY Assurance Tripletred tires in light snow and ice storms, they wear like iron and have THE BEST rain performance, and passable winter performance, and have the 3 mountain peak winter rating. Not sure I would be climbing the Donner (nor Soqualmie) Pass in a winter storm with them, though!