aren't snow tires illegal now in WA around tacoma and seattle? i heard something on the news about an $85 fine if you are caught using them,not sure i just caught the tail end of the story. something about them costing the state a million-cajillion dollars to repaint the stripes on the roadways, and we all know that its more important to save the state money than to keep your family safe in the snow!

I believe after April first, all studded tires are illegal throughout Washington State. This happens ever year- there is no sense keeping studded tires on cars in July, or April for that matter. Well, I don't think there's much sense to Westsiders having studded tires anyway (if they don't travel over the passes).... but that is another story.

Come November, you can put studded tires on again.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/news/mar03/studdedtires_removal.htm

Yup, april 1st

sounds good, see i'm from texas and we just drive like jackasses and pay no attention to the weather!

You should NEVER need studded tires in western Washington. If it happens to snow a little, slow down! Not that complicated. I don't understand how people can stand driving around with those noisy things. And why would they keep them on until April 1st? It's a pretty safe bet there won't be any significant amount of snow on the roads after the end of February.

I 'spects us early morning western WA drivers use our studded snow tires more for black ice than snow.

We get lots more black ice than snow. But that's just us "early morning drivers".

i agree with the black ice, its bad down near nisqually on 5 and especially on Ft Lewis, definetely helps you wake up in the morning!

There is no substitute for driving skills.

Studded tires are not meant for traction in snow. Or I should say the stud part is not meant for traction in snow. The studs only help when ice is involved, they are help full concerning black ice especially.

Worked in a tire shop for 6 years, we would have people come in the middle of August to have their studs removed.