Should you spend the money on winter tires or run the all-seasons you already have and hope for the best? It’s the debate that comes up for drivers every year.
Good tires are essential to road safety, and if you live in an area where it snows in the winter, you might just want to take a look at why winter tires are worth the investment.
How Are Winter Tires Different from Regular Tires?
Every tire has a specific design. The tread pattern and rubber compound are carefully considered for traction, handling, braking, road noise, and more. Winter tires are made with a rubber compound that is more flexible and will stay flexible even in low temperatures. This allows more of the tire to make contact with the ground, which increases control and braking capabilities on cold pavement, snow-covered roads, and slippery, slushy roads. The tread pattern is also different for winter tires. It’s designed to disperse snow, which gives you better traction.
All-Season Tires Are Not Necessarily Good for Every Season
Many drivers think that if they have a brand-new set of all-season tires on their all-wheel drive vehicle, they will be all set in a snow or ice storm. This is not necessarily the case. All-season tires may provide some traction on snow-covered roads, but their performance is about the same as a worn set of winter tires. If you have worn all-season tires, they are no use at all when you need to stop on snowy, icy roads.
Winter Tires Handle Ice Better
While winter tires are often referred to as snow tires, they are not just for snow. Winter tires perform significantly better on ice too. The softer rubber and added silica give these tires more flexibility and extra grip on ice too. The tread pattern removes water that may be sitting on the ice too. This means that you’ll have shorter stopping distances, better grip when taking corners, and better acceleration on ice than with all-season tires. Good winter tires could mean the difference between avoiding an accident or causing one.
The Bottom Line: Is It Worth the Extra Cost?
The upfront cost of an extra set of tires might set you back several hundred dollars. But there are several factors that will make it worth the extra money. Using a second set of tires for several months out of the year will lengthen the life of your all-season tires. Since you won’t be putting miles on them throughout the winter, you can probably get an extra few warm weather seasons out of them before needing new ones.
You can also consider the cost of an accident that might have been avoided if you had the right tires for winter conditions. From insurance deductibles to new registration costs and other hidden fees involved in replacing a vehicle, you’ll end up saving in the long run. The bottom line? Winter tires are worth the extra expense if you want to stay safer on the road during the colder months.
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