| InTsugaru |
| Providing Information About Life in Tsugaru City |
| Copyright (C) Tsugaru City Planning Division. All Rights Reserved. |
| Q and A Topics: Cars/Driving |
| Q and A |
| What to Buy Snow tires or snow chains are essential for winter driving in the Tsugaru Region, even if you have a car equipped with 4WD (Four Wheel Drive). When purchasing snow tires, please be sure that you are getting "studless" radial tires and not "all-season" tires. All season tires do not provide enough traction to allow safe driving on winter roads in Aomori. Snow Tires vs. Snow Chains Although either snow tires or snow chains will give you the needed traction for safe winter driving, snow tires provide a safer, stress-free option for you, your car, and the roads you will be driving on. Although initially less expensive, prolonged use of snow chains may cause severe damage to both your car and the road surface. Moreover, snow chains can not be used on clear roads, meaning you must continually change them as the condition of each road changes. Nothing is worse than having to stand outside in the freezing cold to change snow chains in a blizzard! Where to Buy Snow tires can be purchased at any local auto parts store and at most major shopping malls during the pre-winter season. Reccomended stores in Tsugaru City include: -Autobacs Located near the Jusco shopping mall on Route 101. Look for the orange and black sign ("Autobacs" will be written in English). -Jusco Shopping Mall The large department store inside of Jusco on Route 101 also sells winter tires. Where and When to Change Tires Snow tires should be put on your car once the first few flakes of snow start falling in late fall or early winter. The tires should stay on until it is relatively clear that the winter snow has stopped falling, and that the temperature has risen enough to prevent the road surface from freezing overnight (usually in mid-spring). Tire changes can be done at any local auto parts store, and the going rate is usually about 2000 Yen. Using Snow Tires or Snow Chains Snow tires and snow chains should never be used together. If you choose to purchase snow tires, they should stay on your vehicle all winter. If you choose to purchase snow chains, they should be taken off the tires when driving on non-snow covered roads. |
| -Where can I buy snow tires/chains for winter driving? |