The winter season can be a trying time for Michigan drivers. If you live in an area that sees snow often, you might have found yourself wondering whether it would be worth it to invest in snow tires. Snow tires are made from a different compound than regular all-season tires and offer more grip on slippery surfaces, making them ideal for winter driving.
Snow Tires and All-Season Tires: Overview
In general, snow tires are specifically designed for winter driving conditions, with deep grooves and strong edges to carry away water on wet or snowy roads. They also feature sipes––or tiny slits––that help grip slippery surfaces when temperatures drop below freezing. The combination of these elements allows you to maintain control in slippery situations without sacrificing performance in dryer weather. If you live in an area where you regularly experience cold temperatures and significant amounts of rain, then snow tires may be a good choice for you. All-season tires have multi-purpose designs that offer year-round traction on dry roads, as well as moderate inclement weather. They can handle wet or snowy conditions but may struggle more than snow tires when temperatures drop below freezing.
Snow Tire Pros
There are several advantages to using snow tires in the winter. First, snow tires are specifically designed to be used in snow, ice, and other severe winter conditions. These tires typically have softer rubber compounds than all-season tires, which provide better traction on slippery surfaces. Snow tires also have more tread depth than all-season tires, meaning more bite into the road surface for better grip when stopping or turning. In addition to these benefits, they offer superior steering response due to their soft sidewalls and low rolling resistance––making them ideal if you live in an area with frequent heavy snowfalls or icy weather conditions.
Snow Tire Cons
Snow tires are more expensive than all season tires, and they also tend to be heavier and harder to handle. Snow tire compounds break down more quickly than all season compounds, which means snow tires will need to be replaced more often. These factors mean that a set of snow tires will cost you more in the long run than an equivalent set of all-season tires.
All-Season Tire Pros
All-season tires are cheaper than snow tires and can last longer without needing replacement. On top of this, they're more durable than snow tires. While all-season tires will wear out faster than winter tires under normal driving conditions, they can withstand more abuse while still performing well on ice or packed snow.
All-season tires also offer some advantages over dedicated winter models in wet weather situations since their tread pattern tends to have less rubber on the road surface at any given time. This reduces hydroplaning risk in wet winter weather.
All-Season Tire Cons
On the flip side, it's important to note all-season tires are a compromise. These types of tires are designed to be used year-round and in all weather conditions, which means they aren’t specifically designed for winter use. In fact, all-season tires can be downright dangerous when used in snow or ice because the tread isn’t deep enough to provide good traction on snowy roads.
Michigan winters can be brutal. The snow and ice can make it difficult to drive even the best cars on the road, but there are ways you can prepare your vehicle for the worst. One way is by buying specialized tires that will keep your car moving through thick snow, even when other drivers are stuck in their driveways or have given up altogether. There are many types of winter tires available, but what separates winter tires from others is their ability to handle low temperatures and provide improved traction on ice or packed snow. Consider purchasing winter tires if you live in Michigan, as they'll give you more control over slippery roads than all-season treads.
Need help in making a tire purchase this year? Contact our experts at Baker Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Cadillac to learn more about winter and all-season tires.
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