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Do I really need snow tires?

Most new cars that are sold today are equipped with All-Season tires. In fact All-Season tires are a more popular choice than winter tires and summer tires in aftermarket purchases as well. In large part this is a good solution for drivers because many parts of the country do not see harsh winter weather conditions and even those areas of the country that do experience significant snow and ice still have the majority of the year without those conditions. Winter tires are neither necessary nor appropriate in late spring, summer and early fall even in colder regions. The implication of an "All Season" tire is that it is designed for all seasons. This is probably true for most people who live in the lower half of the U.S. but it could be misleading for our friends in the north and mountainous regions that get significant snow and ice.

Why is a winter tire important?

Winter tires are specifically designed to grab snow and ice. Unlike an all season or summer tire, a snow tire is manufactured with a softer, more flexible rubber formula more suitable to cold weather. Using this compound, a winter tire retains its traction capabilities to hold the road better and to grip snow and ice. A summer or all season tire will tend to become more brittle and inflexible in cold temperatures and therefore it will slide much quicker. The ability to bite into snow and ice and to conform to the road is critical in the winter to avoid getting stuck, to steer and corner effectively and to stop. A tire not made specifically for cold weather cannot function effectively in winter stopping and cornering. Many newer cars are equipped with features like antilock brakes, stability control and even all wheel drive to help with effective maneuvering however, these systems are only as effective as the tires upon which all the systems are dependent. Picture an emergency room equipped with all the latest and best equipment ready to take care of any emergency thrust upon it. However, this ER is staffed by only first year med students. All the best technology in the world will not save lives without the critical knowledge of the doctor. In the same way, all the best traction systems on a car are useless without proper tires.

All-season tires are designed to function in varied but general weather conditions: dry roads and rain and in warmer temperatures. They are not engineered for specific weather conditions. If tires were vehicles, an all season would be a family sedan while a winter tire would be a Hummer. You can get through a blizzard with massive snow in a sedan possibly but it would be a lot safer to do it in a Hummer. It's the same way with tires. You may make it through on all season tires but you will have much better results and you will be much safer with a good snow tire.

Can I mix tires using two snow tires and two all season tires?

In an effort to minimize cost, some people try using snow tires only on the drive wheels of their vehicle. This is an ineffective and possibly dangerous solution. This may give you the confidence in certain situations of having control however this is an illusion and the false confidence may lead to reckless results. Putting snow tires in the front on a front wheel drive may allow better starts and stopping but it places you in danger of fishtailing around turns. The rear wheels will not have sufficient traction to handle the turns your front wheels initiate. Similarly and possibly more dangerous, putting snow tires on the rear wheels of a rear wheel drive car will allow better starts but will do nothing for steering or braking. It is always advised to install snow tires in a complete set of four.

Is it OK to leave snow tires on the car all year long?

This is not really a good idea. As was mentioned above, winter tires are made of a softer rubber compound. That means they will wear down much quicker than a tire designed for warmer driving conditions. They are designed for wet slippery driving. Warm, dry pavement is not their friend, it is really their enemy. This is important for a couple reasons. First you will end up replacing your tires more frequently simply from wear. The primary reason for leaving snow tires on all year would be to eliminate the need for another set of tires but quicker wear will mean you will actually be buying tires more often. Secondly, a deep tread is important for a snow tire to be most effective. The tread helps the tire dig into snow and ice and the deep channels help to divert slush from under the tire. As the tire is worn by summer driving, its effectiveness in the winter is significantly diminished.

Another reason to change tires as soon as the snow clears for good is for a more comfortable ride. All season tires and summer tires among other things are engineered for a comfortable ride. Snow tires are not. All season and summer tires are engineered to be quiet on the road, winter tires tend to be quite loud on the road. Since you are using a good snow tire, you can put a summer tire on your car for better performance. In this way you will be using tires specifically designed for the seasons you are driving in. This way you can achieve better traction and a smoother and quieter ride in all seasons.

Remounting tires twice a year is costly and inconvenient. What options do I have?

This can be a problem. I have never met anyone who enjoys sitting in the waiting room of a tire dealer drinking bad coffee and reading old magazines. Mounting fees also accumulate quickly making this a relatively expensive proposal. There is a better alternative. Simply get another set of wheels to mount your snow tires on. You can then simply unbolt your tires when the weather breaks and put your summer tires on. You can do this in under 30 minutes in your garage. No need for remounting, waiting for hours or drinking bad coffee. You can determine how much you want to spend using this method. Some suggest that you buy some old wheels from a salvage yard for your snow tires. This may be a good idea but by the time you pay for mounting it may not save you much money.

At least one online tire dealer will sell you a package of rims and snow tires with mounting and balancing done free. Given this you could easily get new rims and wheels that specifically fit your vehicle and all the mounting hardware at a price as good or better than getting a set of salvage wheels and new tires. The salvage wheels may or may not specifically fit your vehicle. Whatever you do, be sure the wheel fits your vehicle well and be sure that all the mounting hardware is made for your vehicle. If you choose, you can also buy more expensive wheels especially if you tend to keep cars for a long time or you tend to buy the same cars. Regardless, you should be able to sell these wheels with the car at a premium or sell them on Ebay or through a classified ad when you are done with them. In any case you will not need to remount tires a couple times a year and the wheels will pay for themselves in a few seasons by saving the remounting charges.

So What is the Bottom Line?

If you live in an area with considerable snow and ice you should plan to invest in a good set of snow tires. A single fender bender, a missed sales call or a missed day at work could cost you as much as a set of tires and the tires can be used for several years. The issue of your safety is also very important. Being stuck in the snow, not being able to stop in an emergency and sliding through a turn can be more than a financial consideration. Your safety is worth the investment. You can find a beneficial package deal including wheels that will pay for itself in a few seasons. Make the investment and drive safely and confidently in the snow.