The falling temperatures are a reminder that winter is coming – and with winter comes snow. Driving in the snow can be extremely dangerous if you are unprepared. Snow and ice present dangers for drivers that are unique to the winter season, but if your vehicle leaves the factory with All-Season tires, why would you buy four additional tires for driving on snow and ice?

The answer is simple: you’re going to be driving on snow and ice. While all-season tires were designed with year-round weather in mind, they were not created to meet all of the challenges presented by snow or ice on the roadways. Although all-season tires offer great performance year round in many parts of the country, when compared with winter tires, they do not have the cold weather rubber compounds, the channeling tread patterns, the needed number of tread Sipes, or the open tread block pattern that is needed for traction in conditions with deep snow and ice. 

Who Should Use Winter Tires?

Certainly, if you reside or spend a lot of time in the northern states, it makes sense to consider investing in winter or snow tires. Having an all-wheel drive or four wheel drive vehicle can help quite a bit if you must drive in the snow, but, to have the traction required to travel on roadways with snow and ice, a winter tire tread is a must. Snow tires give drivers longer braking distance and a more controlled acceleration in wintery conditions.

Though snow tires can help make driving safer in snowy and icy conditions, it is important to note that during storms and blizzards all non-essential travel should be severely, if not entirely, limited. Driving during winter storms can be incredibly dangerous, even with special tires.

How do they Compare in Cost?

Nationally, winter tires cost about the same as all-season tires and in many cases, they actually cost less. It makes the most sense to shop for a set of winter tires during the spring and summer months when tire dealers are eager to get the inventory out of their stores. Many dealers will run sales of winter tires so they can make room for newer inventory. Some will even agree to warehouse your winter tires as long as you agree to have them mount your winter tires when the winter months arrive.

What to Look For

If you choose to purchase snow tires, all winter/snow tires are marked with a conspicuous “mountain and snowflake” symbol on the sidewall. This symbol designates that the tire has been designed specifically for using in cold weather and conditions involving snow and ice.

It is also recommended that as with your normal tires, you check your tire pressures at least once a month to make certain they are inflated properly which allows them to deliver the best results and fuel economy. Checking the pressure in the morning when the tires are cold will deliver a more accurate PSI reading. This is especially important during the winter months since cold temperatures can affect your tire pressure.

Vehicle owners who live in areas that are prone to having snow accumulate on roadways during the winter should consider investing in a set of winter tires and substituting them for your normal tires during the snow season. The improved traction can help you drive safer and avoid accidents and insurance claims.

If you do choose to replace your tires with winter tires, make sure to replace all four tires, to ensure that your car will grip roads safely and evenly.