With the first hint of ice or snow of the season, tire stores are inundated with calls about the availability of winter tires. This is not surprising given the tendency of car manufacturers to equip new models with high-performance summer-oriented tires. While high-performance tires improve vehicle handling dynamics in dry weather – which helps make new models more appealing to hard-driving car magazine editors – the wrong rubber can be downright treacherous in winter driving conditions. For drivers considering buying a set of winter tires, there are a few questions to consider before making a decision.
How Often Does It Snow Where You Live?
On Occasion: For most drivers in moderately snowy regions of the country such as the Middle Atlantic, a good set of all-season tires should be more than adequate on all but the snowiest days of the year.
Often: For drivers in “snowbelt” areas such as Western New York State and the Upper Midwest, snow tires can be an invaluable asset during harsh, long winters. According to Inside Line snow tires trump 4WD, AWD, traction control and stability control in winter weather driving and are a smart investment if you plan to venture out in heavy snow on a regular basis.
What Kind of Tires Do You Currently Have On Your Car or SUV?
If you have:
Summer Tires: If you have a set summer tires on your car or SUV, you may want to consider a set of dedicated winter tires even if you live in an area that only receives moderate snowfall. “Winter Tires” can be either snow tires or rugged all-season tires, depending on your specific circumstances. If you’re not sure whether or not you have summer tires, look for the letters “M+S” (mud and snow) on your tire. If you don’t have this important designation, then your tires will probably perform poorly in winter driving conditions.
All-Season Tires: While summer tires will never provide sufficient traction in the winter, it is important to recognize that not every all-season tire is created equal. All-season tires with smooth, uniform tread patterns (below) will generally perform poorly in the snow, while tires with chunky, robust tread blocks (below) will generally perform better. A select few all-season tires are rated for severe-snow duty, which is usually indicated by a snowflake pattern on the tire sidewall. These tires are designed for year-round use on everything from dry summer roads to deep snow, but severe-snow ratings on all-season tires are the exception, not the rule.
All-Season Tire with Poor Winter Performance
All-Season Tire with Good Winter Performance
If you’re unsure of what kind of tires you have on your vehicle but you’ve noticed that your car regularly struggles to gain traction in light snow conditions (less than 2-inches of snow), it may be worthwhile to consider a separate set of winter tires with a more aggressive tread pattern.
Do You Need To Drive During or Immediately After a Major Snowfall?
Yes: For emergency responders, doctors, and anyone who simply can’t afford to miss work on even the snowiest day, winter tires are likely a good investment. People who live at the end of long driveways or country roads that are left unplowed for extended periods of time should also consider purchasing a set of winter tires.
No: If you find yourself working from home after a snowfall of more than 3-4”, a good set of all-season tires should be adequate for most of your winter driving demands.
Do You Have a Rear-Wheel Drive Vehicle?
Rear-wheel drive (RWD) vehicles are prime candidates for snow tires for two reasons:
- RWD cars are most likely performance oriented sedans (BMW, Mercedes, Infiniti) or coupes (Mustang, Nissan 370Z) that come equipped from the factory with high performance tires that are not designed for winter use.
- Because the heaviest component of the car – the engine – is usually located in the front of the vehicle, RWD cars and SUVs have relatively little weight over their drive-wheels (the rear wheels of the vehicle). This results in decreased traction and can present significant challenges during winter weather driving. With the right set of winter tires many high-performance RWD vehicles can provide ample snow traction, but as equipped from the factory RWD vehicles are almost uniformly poor performers in the snow.
What Are The Drawbacks Of Using Snow Tires?
While snow tires are extremely beneficial on snowy winter days, they are not without significant drawbacks. For starters, snow tires perform poorly relative to their all-season counterparts when the temperature is above freezing. They generally do not grip dry roads as well, and they do not slow the car as quickly in emergency braking situations. They also tend to be louder than all-season tires, and their tread life is often below average. Snow tires can also entail significant costs. Beyond the up-front cost of purchasing the tires themselves, most owners will want to switch between their summer and winter tires every year. Unless you own your own tire changing equipment, these costs add up quickly. For a full breakdown of the pros and cons of winter tires, please visit our blog on winter tires.
The Final Decision:
Whether or not to purchase a set of dedicated snow tires is a personal decision. In all but the snowiest of regions a good set of all-season tires should be sufficient for most drivers, but the ultimate decision hinges on the specific factors that have been outlined above. If you do make the decision to install winter tires, be sure to switch to all-season or summer tires as soon as temperatures are consistently above freezing as driving on winter tires in warm weather can significantly impact your vehicle’s handling and the tread life of the tires.
Comments?
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IF SNOW SOX ON THE FRONT WHEELS MAKE SENSE, THEN SO DO SNOW TIRES ON THE FRONT ONLY, CONTRARY TO MANY;