Driving on Snowy Roads? It May Be Time for Winter Tires
All-wheel drive and anti-lock brakes will help you stay safer while driving in the snow, but those mechanisms don’t create traction; your tires do.
That’s why it’s a good idea to invest in quality snow tires or winter tires before you find yourself in a snowdrift or skidding on black ice.
Comparing Snow Tires and All-Weather Tires
Those terms are sometimes confused, but they’re distinct kinds of tires with different features.
Snow tires: As the name implies, snow tires are intended to support safe driving in harsh, snowy conditions. They have a blocky tread designed to push away snow, ice, slush and water. Snow tires are best used in locations where the temperature is consistently below freezing.
All-season tires: These tires are best used in spring, summer and fall, so they aren’t actually for use in all seasons. They perform well in warm, wet weather because their design grips the road in rainy conditions.
Pros and Cons of Snow Tires
Advantages:
Rubber composition: Snow tires are made of a softer rubber that stays flexible in cold weather. That allows them to grip the road and maintain traction while accelerating, braking and turning corners. Soft rubber helps snow tires conform to roadway irregularities, like cracks and potholes, without sustaining damage.
Tread depth: With their deeper tread, snow tires are better equipped to grip the road and navigate hard-packed snow. You’re also less likely to hydroplane with snow tires because their wide grooves draw water through the tread.
Biting edges: The tread’s zigzag patterns provide an extra edge and greater traction on snow and ice.
Disadvantages:
Faster to wear: Snow tires are made of a softer rubber than all-season tires, so they can wear out quicker on normal, dry roadways. Driving on snow tires out of season will destroy the tread.
Road wear: The deep tread on snow tires is designed to grip the road, but they can grip too hard and damage roadways.
Poor handling: While snow tires are great for braking, they don’t offer the most precise handling, so you’ll need to drive more carefully.
Pros and Cons of All-Season Tires
Advantages:
Cost: All-season tires usually cost less than snow tires due to their multi-season use. This kind of tire also doesn’t require seasonal care and storage, so you don’t have to worry about the cost of maintenance and scheduling appointments to swap tires.
Versatility: Their rubber composition makes all-season tires suitable for hot and cold conditions, so they can be used throughout most of the year. The tread pattern helps the tire perform well on dry and wet roadways.
Better handling: All-season tires are easier to handle than snow or winter tires due to their flexibility. They operate more quietly, so using all-season tires offers a near-noiseless driving experience on asphalt roads.
Disadvantages:
Shallow tread pattern: All-season tires don’t have to same grit as snow tires. The shallowness of the tread can’t grip heavy snow and ice well, posing a safety risk to yourself and other drivers.
Excess wear: Because all-season tires can be used almost year-round, they’re likely to wear faster. This type of tire is not suitable for off-road or rough driving conditions.
Find a Bauer Built Tire & Service location near you, or browse our snow and winter tire selection online.
Categories: Bauer Built Blog
