MTFCA Forum

In our neck O the woods we are required to run season rated tires from Oct 01 to April 01 these are identified by a M&S insignia on the side of the tire.
The 21@ Firestone tires I am using have no such insignia.
I drive my 26 Tudor most everyday providing it’s not snowing.
It is time to replace the tires, does anyone know if any of the suppliers make winter rated tires ?

Dave Eddie

I would doubt it. Are there any exceptions for antique cars in your province?

At the current time if you can get any Model T tire in any size or brand you are fortunate.

Many Model T tires sold today have an all season tread. Firestones are one such. I doubt if any have the modern labeling. If any "bias look" radials are available in T sizes, they might have such labeling.

My next inquiry will be with the dept of motor vehicles, but I doubt if they have a variance for vintage vehicles, but it is worth a try

Before I got on DMV's radar, I'd check with some Canadian T club people and see if and how they have dealt with the issue.

Dave,

If you can locate a DMV official with a sense of humor, find a photo of a T with roped tires driving in the snow and bring it with some rope to see if they would accept that. Sorry if this appears to be insensitive - not my intent. Just hoped to share a smile.

Dom

Dave
I thought that you had the option of carrying a set of tire chains with you in your province!
I just seem to recall seeing a sign like that at the border. Perhaps I’m mistaken!

I would just drive it. If by some rare chance you are ticketed, it will probably cost less than one new tire.

Most of the popular tires of the era were what we would call an M+S tread. They were meant for general use on pavement, dirt, mud and, within reason, snow. I believe most of them would perform well in snow, again, within reason, as long as the tread was deep. A Model T has excellent road clearance, and the tall, narrow tires do not have to displace a lot of snow. If one wheel spins, lightly dragging the emergency brake will often cause both rear wheels to drive the car. Good wheel alignment and good brake adjustment are important to staying in control under adverse conditions. Avoid spinning wheels. Spinning wheels warms the tires, and a warm tire is a wet tire, and a wet tire is slicker than blankety-blank. An open T, especially a roadster type, would probably benfit for carrying 150 pounds or so of bagged sand in the turtle. That would improve traction and braking, and you'd have sand available if you got stuck on an ice patch. Just make sure the sand is DRY.

M and S is nothing more than a sales pitch!

Hank