Tire and Ice

[Swann, Benjamin R. (BSWANN)]

Q-Phile,

I have two extra stock type 44 15" wheels that I would like to mount some
snow/ice tires on.  I'd rather not do all four, since I have Michelin MXV4
with relatively new tread on two of the wheels.  Tires will go on one of my
5000 TQ wagons.

My questions are: 

Q#1.  Would it be a sane combination for snow and ice driving  to mount the
two Michelin MXV (M&S rated) on the rear and have the snow/ice tires on the
front?   Reasoning is that the most traction would be needed on the fronts
which do the turning as well as support most of the braking. 

My objective is to have one set of tires I can put on the car when I
anticipate a pending snow/Ice storm.  I'm looking for some real BTDT with
regard to these questions.

Q#2.  I know it has been discussed frequently, but..What are good biting
tires?  I'd like them to bite on ice as well as snow.  I want to get
something that doesn't cost too much, of course.  

Q#3 - Can studs be applied to normal tires such as the MXV4s?  If so where
do you get them, how are they applied?  Are there  studs that can be applied
from the outside, no requireing dismount/remounting?

I'm not talking about ice racing or autocrossing in the snow, but want a
good safe combo to get around when the conditions are too abominable for the
average car.  I need to safely get up and down my 45° driveway as well as
some other local nasty hills, and may need the car for use in emergency
situations - eg. tranport to hospital, pulling other cars out of ditches
when the weather is ice and snow.

In the past, I have driven with normal tires on snow and ice, but have found
the hills can be treacherous - especially coming down my driveway!

TIA for the advice.

Ben