Whether or not you need winter tires depends on where you live. If you are in the extreme edges of the snowbelt (Seattle, Atlanta or Dallas, for example), all-season tires will probably serve your driving needs just fine. But if you live in a climate where it snows every winter, investing in the appropriate tires is a good idea — and may even be required by law.
If you have the luxury of being retired or working at home, it’s better to play it safe and stay home when road conditions are bad. But sometimes being out in the snow is unavoidable. And if you aren't able to keep up with the flow of traffic as you accelerate from a traffic light or up a hill, you pose a risk to yourself and all of the other vehicles around you. A good set of winter ties prepares you for the unexpected and boosts your confidence as well as safety.
Tire tradeoffs
No matter what type of tires you need, you’ll have to compromise. No single tire can be the fastest on the track, offer the smoothest ride, provide the best control in the snow and last the longest. Tires that grip the track with tread temperatures of 200 degrees practically become skis in the snow. Long-lasting driving tires with 70,000-mile warranties are designed for long, even wear under normal conditions, not icy and snowy roads.
All-season tires are a design compromise that tire engineers hope will provide acceptable traction, riding conditions and mileage in a variety of circumstances. They are a popular choice, and I use them on my minivan. They have never failed to get me up a hill to my home in Kansas City when it is covered with no more than an inch or two of snow. (Part of the credit is due to all-wheel drive and traction control.) When the snow is 4 to 6 in. deep, I stay home until the snowplow has done its work. All-season tires are inadequate for that much snow. When I was required to drive into the city every day in a car with rear-wheel drive, I considered winter tires a must — on all four wheels.
In my father’s time, it was standard practice to replace only the back tires with two “mud-and-snow” tires, which were really modified farm-implement tires. They provided the traction needed to move a car through the snow, but that type of tire was never ideal for steering. (A smooth-running driving tire is also useless for steering in snow.)
Today, winter tires have a superior tread design that provides excellent driving and steering traction. And most vehicle and tire manufacturers recommend using the same type and size of tires on all four wheels. Using dissimilar types of tires on your vehicle leads to inconsistent handling in snow, ice and slush. (If you drive a pickup with dual tires on the rear, replace them with single tires in the winter. It’s hard enough to make one track through the snow, let alone two.) With an investment in four winter tires, your vehicle will offer better acceleration, braking and directional control during winter’s driving challenges. In Canada, where it snows a lot, some provinces require that automobiles have winter tires on all four wheels.
When some people think of winter tires, they think of studs. During the 1960s, metal studs that could be inserted into tires to enhance traction on ice were introduced in the United States. Studs definitely provide more traction, but when the road isn’t covered with snow or ice, they chip into the asphalt or concrete. Consequently they have been outlawed, severely restricted or taxed in most states. Check with your local motor vehicle administration to determine their legality before purchasing studded tires.
Shopping tips
To help drivers easily identify tires that provide a higher level of snow traction (“traction tires”) versus those that are rated as mud-and-snow (M+S), in 1999 the U.S. Rubber Manufacturers Association and the Rubber Association of Canada developed a new labeling system. A mountain/snowflake symbol (photo 1) branded on the sidewall of the tire indicates that it met a performance-based standard to identify passenger and light-truck tires that attain a traction index equal to or greater than 110 (compared with a reference tire that is rated 100) during tests on packed snow.
Although the symbol should be in place on new tires by now, there may be a few winter tires in the marketplace that meet the requirements but were produced in molds manufactured before the symbol was developed. If you purchase a qualified tire without the symbol, obtain a letter of certification or download “Tires Suitable for Use in Severe Snow Conditions”. This document lists all tires offered by online retailer Tire Rack that meet the standard. The document may also be used to meet the state of Oregon’s requirements for winter tires and can be presented to authorities when required.
Obviously, some brands of tires perform better than others. Several organizations, automobile magazines and online tire retailers publish their evaluations of winter tires. Doing some research on the Internet will help equip you to make a wise choice.
If you’re in the market for winter tires, you might want to consider buying a set of steel wheels for them. Changing wheels is less expensive than having the tires remounted when the seasons change. In addition, using steel wheels during the winter keeps you from exposing expensive alloy wheels to road salt, slush and grime, which attack the alloy.
Protecting your investment
When you have two sets of tires, you need a place to store one set. A cool, dark space is ideal; heat and exposure to the elements shortens the life of tires.
Before storing, thoroughly clean tires and wheels with soap and water and let them dry until all moisture has evaporated. Do not apply any tire dressing. Place each tire in an opaque airtight plastic bag such as a trash bag. Use a vacuum to remove as much air as possible, and seal the bag with tape or twist ties. If you’re using tire totes, place the tote on the outside of the plastic bag; tire totes are not airtight. If possible, store the tires lying flat in a basement. Storing tires in the garage or attic or in an outdoor shed is not recommended.
A few tire retailers offer tire storage in their shops, but they will be hard to locate. If space at your home is limited, consider a small unit in a climate-controlled self-storage facility to keep your tires in prime condition.
Club member Robert Gould has driven on snow-packed and icy roads all over the world. He’s been stalled a few times, but not often.
DON’T FORGO THE TIRES
Some drivers think anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and sophisticated traction-control systems will save them in the snow. However, these systems do not provide more traction; all they do is prevent over-braking and improve directional stability in wet or slick conditions. They can help to avoid a crash but won’t keep you from getting stuck in the snow.
Front-wheel drive is certainly an advantage in snowy conditions, but if the tires can’t grip, you’ll likely be calling for a tow truck. All-wheel drive can be a big advantage. I have made it up low hills with all-season tires on my all-wheel-drive minivan, but it was slipping and sliding all the way. Winter tires would have made a big difference. — RG
SOURCES ONLINE
BF Goodrich -- www.bfgoodrichtires.com/
Bridgestone -- www.bridgestonetire.com/
Continental – www.continentaltire.com/
Dunlop -- www.dunloptires.com/
Firestone -- www.firestonetire.com/
Goodyear -- www.goodyeartires.com/
Michelin -- www.michelinman.com/
Pirelli -- www.us.pirelli.com/