10 Things You Need to Know About Winter Tires

winter tire ・ Photo by Kelly Wiard of Tire Rack

The leaves are changing, and temperatures are getting cooler. It’s time to swap out those shorts and T-shirts for jeans and comfy sweaters. It’s also time to get your car ready for winter, and that includes making sure you have the right tires for the winter months.

If you’re rolling on all-season tires, then you might think this advice doesn’t apply to you. After all, it’s right there in the name. They should be good for all seasons, right? Yes, you can use all-season tires in the winter, but they’re not the best tools for the job. Here are 10 things you need to know about winter tires.

1. Sometimes it's the law.

You might not think you need winter tires, and you might not want to bother with the hassle of swapping out your tires, but the law may have other ideas. Depending on where you live, you may be required to use a set of winter tires during certain months of the year.

States like Colorado, Washington and Oregon mandate winter tires in mountain areas, and Quebec, Canada, requires them everywhere during the winter months. If you live in a location with heavy snow and rugged terrain, be sure to check the local laws to see if you’re required to have winter tires on your vehicle.

2. They’re called winter tires, not snow tires, for a reason.

It’s not just people who live way up north who should consider purchasing a set of winter tires. It’s not even just the folks who live where there is lots of snow. If you live where the weather gets cold, then you need to think about winter tires.

The general rule of thumb is that winter tires are called for when temperatures regularly dip below 40 degrees. This area includes many of the northeastern and north-central states, including some that don’t see as much snow. Virginia, Tennessee and even certain areas in Arizona and New Mexico get cold enough for winter tires.

3. A winter tire is more aggressive than an all-season tire.

There was a time when everyone swapped from summer tires to winter tires with the seasons. It was in the late 1970s when all-season tires were introduced, giving everyone the chance to keep the same tires on their cars all year long. It’s more convenient and eliminates the need to store a set of tires that’s not in use, but all-season tires aren’t the best solution for winter driving.

The tread pattern on an all-season tire is not as aggressive as a winter tire and the rubber compound isn’t as good in cold temperatures. All-season tires are designed to be the happy medium, which means they work during winter months, but not as well as tires designed specifically for cold weather.

4. All-wheel drive is not enough.

If you live where the snow flies, then there’s a good chance you have a car with all-wheel or four-wheel drive. That’s great, but who hasn’t been passed by an SUV confidently cruising down the highway — only to find that same SUV in a snowbank a few miles later? All-wheel drive is great for getting you moving, but it’s not as good at slowing a car down and bringing it to a controlled stop.

Even if you have all-wheel drive, you can benefit from adding a set of winter tires to your vehicle. They provide the extra traction needed to bring your car to a stop without sliding and they improve control during emergency maneuvers.

Photo by Subaru

5. Winter tires have special tread patterns.

Tire treads are a big enough safety issue that they check them every time your car is inspected and will fail your whole vehicle if the tread falls below 2/32 inch in depth. A lack of sufficient tread means poor traction, which is an even bigger issue when the roads are snowy.

The tread pattern on a winter tire is specifically designed to handle wet and snowy roads. It has a combination of narrow grooves to manage water and larger grooves that collect snow and help stick your tires to the road. Think about how you pack a snowball. Snow likes to stick to snow, and tires with snow in those wider grooves like to stick to a snowy road.

Photo by Kelly Wiard of Tire Rack

6. When the weather is consistently below 40 degrees, put on your winter tires.

The rubber compound in your tire is a lot like your favorite candy bar. Leave that candy bar on the front seat in the summer and it melts, but put it in the freezer and it gets hard and even brittle. The rubber compounds used to make tires are a lot like that candy bar.

In cold weather, an all-season tire gets stiff and inflexible, which means it’s not sticking to the road as well as usual. A winter tire is made with rubber designed specifically for colder temperatures, so it maintains its flexibility and helps you stay in control.

7. Winter tires can save you money.

Money is a big factor when it comes to the deciding to buy winter tires. There’s the cost of buying them in the and the cost of having them swapped twice a year. Although there is an extra expense associated with winter tires, they could still end up saving you money in the long run.

Since winter tires are designed to give you better traction during cold weather, you’re less likely to end up on the side of the road in a ditch. You’re also less likely to be involved in an accident. Spending extra on winter tires today could save you the headache and cost of repairing damage later.

9. Picking the right winter tires is key.

Winter tires from every brand feature the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol on the sidewall. This symbol, also referred to as 3PMSF, lets you know a tire meets U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association standards for winter performance.

You can do research online to see which winter tires will fit your specific car. It can be confusing to make the final decision, so don’t be afraid to call and ask questions. People who sell tires are trained in the differences between them and can help you make the best choice for your vehicle and how you drive.

Photo by Kelly Wiard of Tire Rack

9. Depending on where you live, studs may be illegal.

Years ago, winter tires had little metal studs embedded into the tire treads. The idea behind them is to increase traction, but modern winter tires don’t need studs. Advancements in rubber compounds and tread pattern technology make them unnecessary for most people. The exception is in severe weather, where some drivers prefer studded winter tires.

But depending on where you live, studs may be illegal. They cause damage to the roads when there’s no snow, so many states have either banned them or limited their use. They’re also very noisy and reduce wet-weather traction. If you’re considering studded winter tires, check your local laws first.

10. Save money over the long term and buy tires and rims together.

You can buy tire winter tires by themselves or you can choose tire packages that include those tires already mounted on rims. The latter is more expensive upfront, but there are good reasons to consider this route. If you have high-end or specialty rims on your car, then using a less expensive set of rims for the winter keeps the good ones safe during harsh weather.

You can also save money over the long term when you buy tire and rim package. First, it reduces the wear on your tires from taking them on and off a single set of rims. Second, swapping tires becomes a job you can do yourself when both sets have their own rims.

Photo by Kelly Wiard of Tire Rack