With the rising cost of seemingly everything, figuring out creative ways to be frugal and save a few bucks is growing more common. And maybe, this year, you’re thinking you probably don’t need to splurge for pricey winter tires. Granted, while that decision could save you some money, it’s a choice likely to cost you in the long run – like the first time you do a Fast and Furious-style 360 into a ditch on a snowy, slippery stretch of highway.
Maybe you don’t live in an area that gets tons of snow each year or you drive an all-wheel-drive vehicle. And hey, they’re called all-season tires for a reason, right? Wrong. These are all dangerous misconceptions.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, more than 70% of the nation’s roads are located in an area that receives more than 5 inches of snowfall each year. What’s more, 70% of the nation’s population lives in these snowy regions. And, on top of that, 24% of all weather-related crashes occur on snowy or icy roads, injuring more than 116,000 people and killing more than 1,300 people annually.
With those sobering statistics in mind, investing in a reliable set of winter tires doesn’t seem like such a crazy idea, eh? Let’s resolve the debate once and for all and explore why these accessories are essential for a safer and more secure winter journey.
Winter Tires vs The Rest
So, what are winter tires, exactly? And, how do they differ from all-season or all-weather tires? Essentially, the difference lies in their construction, tread pattern, and rubber compound.
All-season and summer tires use a stiffer rubber compound and feature a shallower tread pattern that is designed to funnel water away from the tire in wet and rainy conditions while maximizing road grip and traction in dry conditions. While this is great engineering most of the time, it fails to provide confident traction and grip in very slushy or snowy conditions. Additionally, the rubber compound stiffens in colder temperatures, further impacting the tires’ ability to grip the road.
Winter tires, by contrast, use a more supple compound that better retains softness and flexibility in freezing temperatures, allowing them to grip the road and maintain traction. These tires also feature deeper treads with sophisticated sipes and patterns designed to channel snow and slush and lessen buildup. Winter tires must pass strict legal standards in the United States to earn their mountain/snowflake symbol, designating they can maintain advanced traction on packed snow. All-season tires are not held to that same standard.
All-weather tires sit somewhere in the middle, blending the performance of all-seasons with the enhanced traction of a winter tire. But while they can stand up to cold temperatures and harsher conditions – and some even sport that mountain/snowflake icon – they just don’t offer the flexibility and aggressive tread of a true winter tire.
Pros & Cons of Winter Tires
There are a few drawbacks to winter tires, however they are largely seasonal-related. For example, while those deeper tread patterns are ideal for snowy and slushy conditions, they can be rough (and noisy) on dry roads. Winter tires also won’t offer the same kind of precise handling you may be used to with your all-seasons. Lastly, because the rubber compound on winter tires is softer, it tends to wear out faster – especially on warm roads – so you want to avoid leaving these tires on your car all year long.
So, the bottom-line question: do the benefits of winter tires justify the higher price tag?
Well, let’s review:
Most winter tires will last at least two seasons, so amortized over that time period, the cash investment is significantly less than you might think.
Winter tires provide more confident traction in snow and slush and shorten braking distances.
Swapping your all-season tires for winter tires will inevitably prolong the life of your fair-weather tires.
Driving on winter tires makes you less likely to lose control in poor weather, thus saving you from a costly and dangerous accident.
But I Don’t Live or Travel In A Snowy Region
The amount of snow you see in a winter shouldn’t necessarily gauge whether or not you need winter tires. If you live in a climate that experiences regular winter temperatures at or below 45°F, then you should consider winter tires.
This is because the rubber compound in all-season and all-weather tires is only formulated to function ideally within a certain temperature range (i.e., above freezing). And while advancements are being made in materials and construction to develop a more diverse and versatile rubber compound, the technology just isn’t quite there yet.
In the tire world, there’s a concept called the “Glass Transition Temperature”, which is the temperature at which the rubber compound becomes very hard and brittle — like glass — and can crack. In general, winter tires are constructed using a specific rubber compound that is designed to stay pliable and soft below 45°F.
How Much Do Winter Tires Cost?
In general, you should expect to invest between $100-250 per tire, so between $400-1,000 for a good set of winter tires. Some folks prefer to mount their winter tires on an entirely separate set of wheels for easy removal and installation at home. This, of course, would add to your overall cost.
Try to stick with well-known and reputable brands and be cautious about purchasing a name you’ve never heard of before. It makes sense to invest in a tried-and-true tire from a long-standing manufacturer that has been delivering reliable and durable options for decades. Additionally, when shopping for winter tires, be sure to look for the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) stamped on the tire’s sidewall. This indicates that it is specifically for winter use and has met the DOT specs to be designated as such.
Sometimes, in an effort to save money, vehicle owners think they can purchase only two winter tires. Simply put: this is a bad idea. Sure, it’s half the cost, but you’re also only getting half the safety and traction features. Putting two winter tires just on the rear of your car will cause you to lose steering response, resulting in significant understeer. If you apply them only to the front of your vehicle, the back tires will have less grip and you risk oversteering and causing a dangerous spin out.
If you’re looking to cut costs anywhere, consider the fact that purchasing a smaller tire is generally less expensive than buying a larger one. So, if your vehicle is capable of riding on multiple size options, and you’re planning to mount them on their own set of wheels, you might want to buy the smallest winter tires you can get.
Contrary to what you may think, a narrow tire usually grinds through snow and slush easier than a wider one. So, purchasing the narrowest tires your car specifies can also save you some bucks. This is actually a great idea if you find yourself often driving in unplowed or poorly plowed conditions.
Helpful Traction Aids
Regardless of whether you choose to add winter tires to your ride, you should still consider keeping a few extra traction aids onboard for those times you get really stuck. Below are a few of the different options available:
Snow Chains. Once the go-to traction aid for anyone who traveled moderate-to-serious snowy roads, many states have now greatly limited the applications for snow chains or even outlawed them completely since they can really deteriorate road surfaces. However, if you’re driving in mountainous areas or on roads covered in snow and ice up to 6 inches, then snow chains can really come in handy.
Snow Socks. A clever alternative to snow chains, snow socks are machine-washable and reusable socks that slide over your tires and help enhance traction. They’re affordable, easy to install and remove, and even help to dampen road noise and vibrations, giving you a smoother ride. Because they’re less heavy-duty than snow chains, however, they’re really only meant for short-term use, not a season-long alternative.
Tire Straps. As their name implies, these traction devices strap directly on to your tires to provide more grip. They attach similar to snow chains but are more flexible.
Traction Boards or Mats. A favorite here at Parts Via, traction mats or traction boards are effective, easy to use, and an excellent aid all year round. Usually constructed of rugged plastic cut with channels that mimic a tire tread, these devices simply slide under a tire that’s lost traction and provide a surface to grip to. They’re great for keeping on hand for anytime you might get mired in the snow, ice, water, mud, or muck. And, as an added bonus, they’re usually quite affordable.
Snow Shovel. Hey, if all else fails, you can’t go wrong with a good old-fashioned snow shovel. With a little effort, you can heap snow, sand, or dirt underneath stuck tires and help to provide leverage and traction for getting out of a sticky situation.