Sometimes referred to as snow tires, winter tires feature technology that other tires don't.
Here's what you need to know...
5 Winter Tire Myths
Myth #1:
Winter Tires are only for snow.
Anyone who lives where the weather gets a little cooler can benefit from winter tires. In colder temperatures all-season tires stiffen, reducing grip.Â
The rubber compounds that make up winter tires keep them flexible in temperatures below 45º F (7º C). That flexibility allows the tire to grip the road better, increasing vehicle handling and shortening stopping distance.
Myth #2:
Brakes alone stop my vehicle.
Tires greatly affect your vehicle's stopping distance, especially when roads are wet or icy. Without specifically designed winter tread patterns, tires can simply slide when the brakes are applied.
Winter tires have deep grooves and small slits called sipes that cut through snow and ice, keeping more of your tire in contact with the road. This helps the tire bite down on the road, bringing your car to a stop more efficiently that other tires.
Myth #3:
My All-Season Tires Work Fine in the Winter.
All-season tires are great for mild weather changes, but anyone who experiences cooler or snowier winters will get better performance using dedicated winter tires.
In addition to being constructed from more flexible compounds and utilizing specialized tread designs, some winter tires offer "studs" which help break through packed snow and ice.
Myth #4:
Winter Tires Are More Expensive.
The cost of winter tires is usually comparable to the cost of any other kinds of tires.Â
Plus, switching between winter tires and all-season or summer tire makes both sets last longer than they normally would, because each set of tires is being utilized for its ideal temperature range.
Myth #5:
I have Four-Wheel Drive, So I don't Need Winter Tires.
In the winter, four-wheel drive can help you get going by sending power to all four wheels. This increases the chances that a tire will bite on a section of road that isn't slick, but that traction won't come if your tires are not designed to grip in those conditions.
Additionally, four-wheel drive won't help when you're trying to stop. Four-wheel drive helps you utilize each tire to gain traction, but that doesn't mean so much if the tires themselves aren't flexible enough or don't have the right tread design to grip through the snow and ice.
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