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I have a 2007 Scion tC with 215-45-R17 all-season tires. It's not the best in the snow, but I've always managed to get around until this year. Last spring I moved to a place on the top of hill and now I'm contending with getting up and down the hill in the snow for the first time. Two weeks ago I couldn't stop and got stuck in a snow bank. Yesterday was a horrble storm and I could barely get up the hill home. One of the neighbors with a plow blade on his truck had to plow in front of me so I could get up the hill. If he hadn't been around I would have been screwed! What I need to know is: will snow tires get me up the hill in the snow in this car, or do I need to start looking for another car completely?? Thanks.

Sorry if this is a really rudimentary question for this board - I have no one around me who knows anything about cars to ask!  

invest in a spare pair of rims... and some proper snow tires ...

one thing...   with the amount of bad weather..  you might call around to the various automotive junk yards .. see if they have any scions or toyotas in with snow tires already mounted..

different snow tires have different traction.. you might want to check the ratings at tire rack.com   having a spare set even just for the front..  to swap on during the winter... a much better idea...  

Don't get a pair of rims, get 4 - and 4 winter tires.  

Quite frankly there are certain situations where nothing is going to help....much. If it were my Scion I would go get myself a set (4) of Yokohama IceGuard IG20's in size 205/50R17. I would also visit the local Home Depot and pick up a few "sleeves" of sand to keep in the car.  The additional weight will certainly help and if push comes to shove the ability to spread some sand on the ground for some extra traction may be the difference between staying stuck or getting home. Although you will still not enjoy the performance of a 4X4 you should still come away quite impressed with your newely aquired traction.