Weather Ready Part 2: Snow Tires

Do we need snow tires? Is there really a difference between 'snow tires' and 'all weather tires'? The answer is Yes and Yes! We want you to be snow ready this season and we know that if you haven't used a set of snow tires and switch over, you'll notice a big difference this winter in handling, sliding, and slipping on the road. Here are the reasons why you should consider getting a set of snow tires:

Designed for Cold Temperatures

All weather, and really all tires, are designed for temperatures of 45 degrees farenheit and above. This is great if we lived in the south where temperatures rarely dip below that, but with northeast winters blustering in the mid-30's most of the winter, these tires are leaving us vulnerable to sliding because tires exposed to cold temperatures will begin to harden, drastically reducing their ability to grip the road. Winter tires, on the other hand, use specialized rubber compounds and tread designs that are engineered to maximize traction in freezing temperatures and on icy surfaces.

Superior traction

The specifically engineered grooves, channels and biting edges are designed to dig into the snow and push away water from the tire's contact patch. Snow tires have deeper and horizontal slits cut across the tread, which gives tires the 'bite' to get through snow and ice stuck on the road. This aggressive tread pattern also reduces snow build up, allowing for stronger and more reliable traction.

Better braking

When a car starts sliding on ice or snow drivers tend to brake hard. In this case, cars can start sliding and in a non-snow tire, will cause the car to slide and skid over the icy surface. A snow tire, because of it's traction and design, will have a better chance of helping the car to stay steady and brake. In fact, snow tires are shown to have 30% better stopping power than regular tires.

Hydroplane resistance

And it's not just braking on ice that snow tires excel at. When ice begins to melt, water becomes a problem, as cars can slide uncontrollably. Because the tires are designed with special grooves to push water, snow and ice away, hydroplaning is greatly reduced.

Snow maneuverability

Regular tires will drive over the snow, working it's way on the road floating on top rather than going through the snow. Snow tires are designed to drive through the snow because of it's narrower width (the narrow width increases the pounds per square inch of pressure exerted, allowing the tires to have an easier time cutting through the snow and not just driving on top of it).

Winter tires come in shapes and sizes to fit all vehicles: there are passenger-car winter tires, high-performance winter tires, SUV winter tires, and even truck winter tires.  For safety, only fit winter tires in sets of four. You can come stop in at any AutoExpress location and we'll be happy to talk to you more about snow tires and get your car snow ready!