Snow tires are special because, they have special rubber on them called tread rubber that helps cars get through snow.
Winter Handler Ice and Snow tires are manufactured by Firestone.
From what I know, they probably do not because snow tires have special pins build into it for gripping the snow/ice. It depends on the type of tire you are actually going to buy but generally mud tires are more expensive than snow tires.
Cooper
Cooper
Magna Grip Snow tires are made by Kelly Tires, which is a Goodyear brand.
Usually a suspension or front end proble causes uneven wear on the tires and you get noise from them, similar to running on snow tires
Cooper Tires makes Arctic Claw - I had 4 on my last mini van and vouch for them as the best snow tires I've ever had.
Directional tires are ideal for hard surfaces in good weather conditions. The best tires for driving in snow are snow tires.
Michelin and Goodyear both make excellent tires, in various sizes and adherences.
In some places where it snows alot you have to buy snow tires. So if you have snow tires then yes you can drive if the snow is 8". But if you don't want to buy snow tires, you can get a chain and wrap it around all of your tires.
Yes, studs can be removed from snow tires.
You can install 4 snow tires but it is really not necessary. Only install the snow tires on the drive wheels.