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Tread Compound & Design Winter tires tend to have better traction and handling in colder temperatures. The tread compound maintains its flexibility, which allows for enhanced grip on snow and ice.
How do I know what winter tires to buy?
Here are 10 tips to help you strike the right balance between your needs and your budget when purchasing your next set of winter tires. Know your tire size. Know the types of roads you drive on. Look at the tires. Ask the right questions. Choose between snow tires and ice tires. Learn about handling and braking.
Do you size down for winter tires?
Most car experts agree that if you run your vehicle with 17-inch, 18-inch, or even larger-sized wheels during the spring, summer, and fall, you really should consider downsizing your winter set of wheels to 16-inch, maybe even 15-inch, if possible.
How do I know what size snow tires to get?
A narrower tire does a better job in snow. As a rule of thumb, for winter tires you can reduce the width 10mm, increase the aspect ratio 10 percentage points, and get a wheel one inch smaller — in this case 215/60R16. This is called Minus One sizing.
Is it better to buy winter tires with rims?
Having a set of wheels (rims) to go with your winter tires is a good idea. It saves the wear and tear of seasonal tire mounting, and makes it easy and much less expensive to do the seasonal changeover. Alloy wheels are lighter for better fuel economy and handling and certainly look better.
When should I buy snow tires?
As a general rule of thumb, you should switch from summer or “all-season” tires to winter tires when the typical air temperature when you are driving falls to 45 degrees or lower. Even if it’s hitting 60 during the day, if you’re only driving in colder mornings and evenings, that’s the temperature you should look at.
What does M’s mean on tires?
M+S stands for Mud+Snow, indicating that the tires are suitable for use in the winter (studded or non-studded winter tires). The official winter tire marking is the snowflake symbol, also known as the 3PMSF marking.
Is a wider tire better for snow?
When it comes to the winter season, there are definite advantages to fitting your wheels with wide tires over standard narrow tires. A wider tire equates to better performance on dry or wet roads and compacted snow.
Should winter tires be same size as summer?
Definitely. In fact, generally you want your winter wheels and tires to be narrower than your summer tires. This will help increase pressure on the ground which increases traction on slippery surfaces with proper tires.
Do I need 2 or 4 studded snow tires?
While it’s not recommended, the only time this could work is on rear-wheel-drive only vehicles. Even in these cases, we still recommend four matching snow tires for optimal performance. Anything else, including 4x4s, front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive vehicles should have a full set of snow tires for best traction.
Are snow tires worth it?
Tests conducted by Canada’s Traffic Injury Research Foundation showed that winter tires provide superior traction, braking, and cornering in all cold-weather driving conditions compared to an all-season tire. We’re talking better traction whether the road surface is snow-covered, icy, wet, or even dry.
How much does a set of snow tires cost?
Costs vary by brand, but, without discounts, you can expect car snow tires to run about $150 each and SUV/truck snow tires to go for about $200 each. For a car, that’s $600 for a full set; $750 if you decide to get a spare. For SUVs and trucks, that’s at least $800 for a full set; $1,000 if you opt for the spare.
Do you need steel rims for winter tires?
Steel rims are often recommended with winter tires – instead of the aluminum wheels that can be purchased OEM or aftermarket for almost any vehicle. Aluminum wheels tend to contract more in colder temperatures, which can cause inconsistent tire pressure, as well as allowing air to leak over time.
What month is best to buy tires?
And here’s the secret: Buy your tires in October or April to save the most on your new set of wheels. Tires go on sale in October to encourage consumers to buy before winter and again in April when the weather gets warm enough for people to start thinking about road trips and joy rides.
Are winter tires same size as all season?
As far as sizing goes, the simplest thing to do is stick with tires the same size as those that came on your vehicle. But for winter tires, Wiebe notes that “narrower is generally better. Wide tires are great under optimum conditions if you’re driving the car hard. Most other conditions, the width isn’t helping you.
Do snow tires work well on ice?
Yes, they can be used during winter, but they are no match for ice—especially black ice. Snow tires, which are commonly referred to as winter tires, are designed specifically to grip the road much better.
What temperature do winter tires work?
In fact, the roads don’t even have to be all that icy. Whenever the temperature drops below 7°C (45°F), winter tires do a better job of sticking to the asphalt and, in turn, improve acceleration, handling, and most importantly, braking distances.
How long do snow tires last?
While they require more care, you can get some life out of snow tires. Be sure to put on your snow tires as soon as the first snowfalls and take them off when spring hits. The average winter tires will last 3-4 seasons. We recommend storing your tires as the softer rubber will wear out fast during warm weather.
What does the snowflake on tires mean?
Indicated by a pictograph showing a peaked mountain with a snowflake in the middle, the severe service symbol indicates a winter tire can handle snowy and slippery roads, as well as low temperatures, and meets the minimum requirements for providing snow traction.
What does XL mean on tires?
Some vehicles are equipped with “XL” tires. It doesn’t mean that they’re extra large, but it does mean that they are extra-load tires. The load index on these tires is much higher than a standard-load tire, which is why it is important to replace an XL tire with another XL tire.
Do all terrain tires count as snow tires?
Most all-terrain tires have an M + S rating – which means they are suitable for driving in mud and snow. Some come with a Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating, which means that it has been tested for driving in severe winter conditions.
