Should I Leave Snow Tires On All Winter?
Winter driving can be treacherous without the proper safety equipment. According to the National Institute for Highway Safety, nearly forty-one percent of weather-related motor vehicle crashes occur as a result of winter driving conditions. In cold temperatures, all-season and summer wheels do not deliver the necessary performance needed to drive safely. Therefore, it is imperative that snow tires are used in states that regularly experience snow, sleet, and ice during the winter months.
Snow tires are made from different materials that enable them to better grip the road when it's cold. Softer tread rubber, greater tread depth, and specialized tread patterns make snow wheels superior to other wheels during the winter. Summer wheels, on the other hand, tend to harden during cold temperatures, lowering their ability to grip the road. While all-seasons are designed for a wide range of conditions, they should not be driven all year round in an area that experiences severe winter conditions.
When mounting new tires for the winter season, automotive experts urge drivers to always purchase a full set. Simply changing two new tires in the front or the rear alone will increase the likelihood that a vehicle will lose traction during harsh conditions. Furthermore, if only a partial set of winter wheels are installed on a vehicle with all-wheel-drive, it could lead to drive-train damage. While an all-wheel-drive vehicle will improve acceleration during slippery conditions, it does not improve braking or cornering in the snow. Many studies have shown that vehicles equipped with all-seasons often take twice the amount of distance to come to a complete stop in snow compared to a vehicle equipped with snow-specific tires.
Remember: It's important to remount summer or all-seasons as soon spring rolls around because winter tires wear faster on dry pavement.
Need new snow tires? Contact our ASE-Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE and Doniphan, NE.
Winter driving can be treacherous without the proper safety equipment. According to the National Institute for Highway Safety, nearly forty-one percent of weather-related motor vehicle crashes occur as a result of winter driving conditions. In cold temperatures, all-season and summer wheels do not deliver the necessary performance needed to drive safely. Therefore, it is imperative that snow tires are used in states that regularly experience snow, sleet, and ice during the winter months.
Snow tires are made from different materials that enable them to better grip the road when it's cold. Softer tread rubber, greater tread depth, and specialized tread patterns make snow wheels superior to other wheels during the winter. Summer wheels, on the other hand, tend to harden during cold temperatures, lowering their ability to grip the road. While all-seasons are designed for a wide range of conditions, they should not be driven all year round in an area that experiences severe winter conditions.
When mounting new tires for the winter season, automotive experts urge drivers to always purchase a full set. Simply changing two new tires in the front or the rear alone will increase the likelihood that a vehicle will lose traction during harsh conditions. Furthermore, if only a partial set of winter wheels are installed on a vehicle with all-wheel-drive, it could lead to drive-train damage. While an all-wheel-drive vehicle will improve acceleration during slippery conditions, it does not improve braking or cornering in the snow. Many studies have shown that vehicles equipped with all-seasons often take twice the amount of distance to come to a complete stop in snow compared to a vehicle equipped with snow-specific tires.
Remember: It's important to remount summer or all-seasons as soon spring rolls around because winter tires wear faster on dry pavement.
Need new snow tires? Contact our ASE-Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE and Doniphan, NE.
