Winter Tires vs. All-Season Tires
Some lucky car owners see little more than a few flakes every season. For others, however, winter means an endless coating of snow and ice on their roadways. If you live in an area with heavy snowfall during the winter, it may be worth considering switching from all-season tires to winter tires. While the process of changing tires may seem inconvenient or costly, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of using tires specifically designed for cold and snowy weather. Read on and learn the pros and cons of swapping out your all-season radials for a set of winter tires specifically made for cold and snowy weather.
Aren’t All-Season Radials Made to Handle All Seasons?
All-season tires are made to handle a variety of weather conditions, from moderate heat to typical winter driving and icy or wet roads. However, to perform well in all these situations, all-season radials must make certain compromises which means they don't provide the same level of traction and handling as a tire designed specifically for extreme conditions.
What Makes All-Season Tires Different From Winter Tires?
Manufacturers make winter tires using a compound that stays soft and flexible when the temperature dips below forty-five degrees. The rubber used to make typical All-Season or Touring tires tends to harden in cold weather. This softer compound improves handling, traction, and braking in cold and snowy weather conditions. Despite the name "snow tires," these tires also enhance performance on dry roads. So, it makes sense to swap out your radials for a set of winter tires if you get at least three months of cold weather where you live, even if you don’t see much snow.
Is Swapping Out My Tires an Expensive Job?
Switching from all-season to winter tires is a quick and easy task. The process from the moment your car is lifted to the time you drive out of the shop usually takes less than 30 minutes. Some drivers also opt to keep their winter tires on a separate set of wheels, making the task even faster and more cost-effective.
When is the Best Time of Year to Install Winter Tires?
Install your winter tires before the first winter snowfall or when the temps start to drop below 45 degrees daily.
When Should I Remove My Winter Tires?
Let the weather be your guide. But, make certain to change them before temperatures consistently exceed 45 degrees, as winter tires wear quicker in warm weather.
Are Winter Tires Expensive?
Winter tire prices vary depending on the brand, quality, and size. On average, they cost about the same as a set of all-season radials of the same type. Keep in mind, however, that your summer or all-season tires will last longer as they will be stored in the garage during the winter season.
Is It Alright to Mix Radials With Winter Tires?
To ensure optimal handling and traction during extreme weather conditions, it is recommended to install winter tires on all four wheels of your vehicle. Using less than four can lead to handling and traction issues.
What If I Live in an area that Doesn’t Get A Lot of Snow?
The softer and more flexible rubber used in making winter tires offers improved traction and braking over standard all-season radials even on dry pavement.
Are Winter Tires Compatible With Traction Control Systems?
Traction control systems operate best with tires that provide traction on demand. Winter tires improve each wheel’s ability to grip the road when called upon. Therefore, snow tires actually help them improve performance substantially.
Do All-Wheel-Drive and Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Benefit from Winter Tires?
All-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles transfer power to each wheel as necessary. Winter tires provide improved grip, leading to better overall traction and less wheel slipping, particularly when accelerating. When it comes to braking on icy and wet roads, winter tires outperform all-season radials, as well.
Switching from all-season to winter tires may seem like an expensive and time-consuming project, but in reality, it’s impossible to put a price on the peace of mind that comes with it. For more information, and to check out the entire Honda lineup, stop at Marthaler Honda of Ashland today.
Aren’t All-Season Radials Made to Handle All Seasons?
All-season tires are made to handle a variety of weather conditions, from moderate heat to typical winter driving and icy or wet roads. However, to perform well in all these situations, all-season radials must make certain compromises which means they don't provide the same level of traction and handling as a tire designed specifically for extreme conditions.
What Makes All-Season Tires Different From Winter Tires?
Manufacturers make winter tires using a compound that stays soft and flexible when the temperature dips below forty-five degrees. The rubber used to make typical All-Season or Touring tires tends to harden in cold weather. This softer compound improves handling, traction, and braking in cold and snowy weather conditions. Despite the name "snow tires," these tires also enhance performance on dry roads. So, it makes sense to swap out your radials for a set of winter tires if you get at least three months of cold weather where you live, even if you don’t see much snow.
Is Swapping Out My Tires an Expensive Job?
Switching from all-season to winter tires is a quick and easy task. The process from the moment your car is lifted to the time you drive out of the shop usually takes less than 30 minutes. Some drivers also opt to keep their winter tires on a separate set of wheels, making the task even faster and more cost-effective.
When is the Best Time of Year to Install Winter Tires?
Install your winter tires before the first winter snowfall or when the temps start to drop below 45 degrees daily.
When Should I Remove My Winter Tires?
Let the weather be your guide. But, make certain to change them before temperatures consistently exceed 45 degrees, as winter tires wear quicker in warm weather.
Are Winter Tires Expensive?
Winter tire prices vary depending on the brand, quality, and size. On average, they cost about the same as a set of all-season radials of the same type. Keep in mind, however, that your summer or all-season tires will last longer as they will be stored in the garage during the winter season.
Is It Alright to Mix Radials With Winter Tires?
To ensure optimal handling and traction during extreme weather conditions, it is recommended to install winter tires on all four wheels of your vehicle. Using less than four can lead to handling and traction issues.
What If I Live in an area that Doesn’t Get A Lot of Snow?
The softer and more flexible rubber used in making winter tires offers improved traction and braking over standard all-season radials even on dry pavement.
Are Winter Tires Compatible With Traction Control Systems?
Traction control systems operate best with tires that provide traction on demand. Winter tires improve each wheel’s ability to grip the road when called upon. Therefore, snow tires actually help them improve performance substantially.
Do All-Wheel-Drive and Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles Benefit from Winter Tires?
All-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles transfer power to each wheel as necessary. Winter tires provide improved grip, leading to better overall traction and less wheel slipping, particularly when accelerating. When it comes to braking on icy and wet roads, winter tires outperform all-season radials, as well.
Switching from all-season to winter tires may seem like an expensive and time-consuming project, but in reality, it’s impossible to put a price on the peace of mind that comes with it. For more information, and to check out the entire Honda lineup, stop at Marthaler Honda of Ashland today.