How to Decide on Winter Tires for Your Car
Living in Vermont means living with snow for half of the year. It is a no-brainer for families living in this state to get winter tires put on our cars. But that's where the easy decision ends. There are a ton of options for families like mine. And for families that only occasionally play in the snow, the list of questions grows even longer. Let's dive into this process together and come up with tips on making smart decisions to keep your family safe on snowy and icy roads.
Related: Now is the Time to Prepare your Car for Winter
What is an All Weather Tire
All-weather tires are designed to perform well in a variety of conditions, such as dry, wet, and light snow.
- Rubber compound: All-weather tires use a rubber compound that is harder than snow tires, but softer than summer tires. This allows them to maintain grip and flexibility in moderate temperatures.
- Tread depth: All-weather tires have a tread depth that is deeper than summer tires, but shallower than snow tires. This helps them evacuate water and slush, and prevent hydroplaning.
- Tread design: All-weather tires have a tread design that is similar to summer tires, but with more sipes and grooves. Sipes are small cuts in the tread blocks that create biting edges for grip. Grooves are channels that help disperse water and slush.
What us a snow tire
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What is a Snow Tire
The difference between an all-weather tire and a snow tire is mainly in their rubber compound, tread depth, and tread design. Snow tires are optimized for cold temperatures, ice, and deep snow. Here are some key points to compare them:
- Rubber compound: Snow tires use a rubber compound that is very soft and stays pliable in freezing temperatures. This gives them better traction and braking on icy roads.
- Tread depth: Snow tires have a very deep tread depth that can dig into snow and create a large contact patch with the road surface.
- Tread design: Snow tires have a tread design that is more complex and aggressive, with more sipes, grooves, and studs. Studs are metal pins that protrude from the tread and pierce the ice for extra traction.
What they cost: You can find Blizzak Snow Tires on Amazon for $146/tire. (note this is an Amazon Affiliate link)
Comparing All Weather Vs. Snow Tires
All-weather tires and snow tires have different advantages and disadvantages, depending on the climate and driving conditions. All-weather tires are more convenient and cost-effective, as they can be used year-round without changing. However, they are not as effective as snow tires in extreme winter conditions, and they may wear out faster in hot weather. Snow tires are more safe and reliable in severe cold, ice, and snow, as they provide superior grip and braking. However, they are more expensive and require changing twice a year, and they may damage the road and reduce fuel economy in warm weather.
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Snow tires also require storage when not in use, which can be a challenge if you are short on space. We have to rent a storage unit to stash the summer tires for our cars. This costs $350 a year.
What they cost: You can get Cooper All Season Tires on Amazon for $340/tire. (note this is an Amazon Affiliate link)
Studded Tires
Lest you think the decision making stops with just two options, there is more to muddle the process. There are also tires with metal studs in them. Studded tires have small metal spikes (called studs) that are staggered and inserted across the tread of a winter tire. They look like little screws that have been intentionally placed in the tires. These studs protrude stick out ever so slightly on the rubber tread surface. The metal spikes helping break through packed snow and ice-covered roads to give you better traction.
Nokian Tires has this to say, "If you drive more on icy roads than on snowy ones in winter, studded tires are the choice for you. Studded tyres are especially suitable if you live near the coast, where roads tend to be icy during the winter. Non-studded winter tires are a good choice for snowy roads."
Studded tires are not permitted everywhere. Here's a recent map from worldpopulationreview.com
What they cost: You can get Nokian Studded Tires on Amazon for $280/tire. (note this is an Amazon Affiliate link)
Snow Chains
Chains are more effective than snow tires in deep snow, ice, and unplowed roads, as they provide more traction and grip. However, they are not suitable for everyday use, as they can damage the road and the tires, reduce fuel economy, and make the ride noisy and bumpy. Chains also require installation and removal, which can be inconvenient and time-consuming. Snow tires are a better bet for most people.
Tire chains are usually only necessary for rear wheel drive cars used in heavy snow and ice conditions.
I hope all this information helps demystify tire buying. I realize it is an additional expense, but as a family that had a "near miss" accident on icy roads, it's important for me to spread the word. You might also want to check out the Bridgestone Winter Driving School in Steamboat.
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