Our tester had winter snow tires, thankfully, given that there was plenty of snow to drive in, and that meant that when we were on dry pavement there was less traction than you'd get from a grippier summer tire.

FORBES: Test Drives

There's been no talk of a strike, and it wasn't clear whether the union would use the talks as a pattern to set the stage for negotiations during the summer with tire makers Bridgestone-Firestone and Michelin-BFGoodrich.

WSJ: Goodyear, union begin contract talks for 6 plants

For instance, there's a distinct difference between summer tires and all-season tire, sand many people don't get it, he says.

FORBES: Cars

That's something Firestone hasn't been associated with since a string of sport utility accidents ending in the summer of 2000 nearly doomed the 102-year-old tire brand.

FORBES: Flats Fixed

In the summer, temperatures on the valley floor can reach 120 degrees and a flat tire on an open stretch of road can get you in trouble fast.

NPR: Students Blossom in the Desert