Are Winter Tires Worth It? What You Need to Know
Winter roads can be downright treacherous at times, with slush, snow, and ice turning even short drives into risky ventures. So, if you’ve ever found yourself nervously sliding through a turn and asked yourself, “Should I get winter tires?” you’re not alone. However, the answer could transform this season’s roads from an icy nightmare to a winter wonderland.
Read on to explore the benefits of winter tires and find answers to common seasonal tire questions to determine whether winter tires are the right choice for your ride.
Advantages of Winter Tires
Each type of tire — summer, all-season, and winter — is specially constructed to excel in its respective environment. But how exactly do winter tires make a difference in theirs? Let’s explore some features of good winter tires to see how they may affect traction, stopping distance, and handling on snow and ice.
Specialized Tread Patterns
Typically, winter tires are designed with deeper tread depths than standard tires, which helps to optimize snow traction. Combine that with open shoulder slots, which evacuate water from beneath the tire to reduce the risk of hydroplaning, and you have a recipe for confident winter driving.
Whether you drive a two-wheel, four-wheel, or all-wheel drive vehicle, features that channel snow and slush away from the tire are a must — they get your tire closer to the road, where your drivetrain system can perform its best.
Biting Edges or Studs
If you’ve ever driven on snow or ice with a standard set of tires equipped, you know how slippery winter roads can be. Winter tires may help prevent you from losing control by including biting edges in their tread. As their name implies, these edges “bite” into snow and ice, increasing traction and stability.
When biting edges aren’t enough to stay on the road, some winter tires, like the Firestone Winterforce 2, allow you to install studs.
Firestone Tip: Studs are not legal in every area. Some states also have designated periods for legal stud use. Always check your local laws before installation.
Cold-Weather Rubber Compounds
Unlike summer and some all-season tires, winter tires feature specialized rubber compounds that stay flexible in extreme temperatures. These soft, grippy rubber compounds maximize traction, handling, and braking on wet, snowy, or icy pavement.
Certain winter tires, like the Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V2, take specialized compounds a step further by including a proprietary Multicell™ compound. This compound features microbubbles in the rubber to help pull layers of water off of the surface of the ice, helping the rubber fully contact the ice and maximize braking in these conditions.
Can You Use Winter Tires All Year?
Winter-specific tires undoubtedly offer the best performance in snowy and icy weather. But how effective are winter tires during other seasons — can you leave them equipped all year?
We don’t recommend it. Winter tires are optimized to perform best in cold weather, so intuitively, winter tires and warm temperatures aren’t exactly a match made in heaven. Their softer rubber compound may wear down faster in warmer conditions, increasing rolling resistance, decreasing fuel efficiency, and requiring sooner replacement or repair. When winter weather subsides, it’s typically best to switch to summer or all-season tires for the best performance and tire longevity.
When Should You Switch to Winter Tires?
So, if you shouldn’t leave them on year-round, when should you swap to a set of winter tires? Ultimately, the exact time of year depends on your region, but the general guidance is to ditch the summer or all-season tires when it’s frequently snowy and icy outside. When things get chilly, the rubber compound in summer tires, which isn’t optimized for extreme cold, can stiffen, leading to reduced traction, longer braking distances, and poor handling.
Where to Get Winter Tires: Firestone Complete Auto Care
So, are winter tires worth it? We certainly think so. When you’re ready to tackle winter roads with confidence, visit your local Firestone Complete Auto Care for professional tire services, top-rated winter tires, and knowledgeable guidance on finding the perfect winter tires for your vehicle. Schedule an appointment today!
