Winter conditions contribute to 24% of weather-related collisions and crashes every year. And around 70% of the U.S. population sees snowy and icy conditions during the winter.
For drivers in those areas, snow tires may help reduce the risk of an accident in winter conditions. Snow tires improve braking and traction while driving on snowy, slushy, or icy roads.
Here’s what you need to know about finding the best snow tires and whether you need them.
Snow or winter tires provide extra stability and better braking on snow, ice, and slush, reducing the risk of an accident in poor conditions.
Snow tires typically cost between $150 and $190 per tire before installation.2 Manufacturers design snow tires to withstand cold temperatures and maintain traction in harsh winter conditions.
All-season and summer tires can stiffen in freezing temperatures. Snow tires are made of a softer rubber compound than all-season tires, so they remain pliable even in cold conditions. The tread design on snow tires helps keep away ice, snow, and slush, allowing the tires to maintain their grip on slippery roads.3
Tread rubber: This part of the tire is the outer rubber layer that makes contact with the ground. The tread rubber on snow tires is flexible, allowing it to maintain better traction and grip the road well.
Tread pattern: The tiny slits on your tire are called sipes. Deeper tread patterns prevent snow buildup and improve grip against snow and ice.
Some snow tires have small metal studs that pierce snow and ice and allow the tire to better grip the road. But some states ban or limit the use of studded tires, citing that the metal studs erode pavement and cause road damage.4
Both snow tires and chains improve traction in winter conditions like snowy and icy ground.
Tire chains can be cheaper than snow tires, but it depends on your tire size and vehicle weight. While using snow tires requires you to buy four new tires, snow chains don’t. Plus, you only need tire chains on the front or back wheels, depending on whether your car has front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive. For four-wheel drive, you may need to install them on every wheel.5
If you live in an area where snowstorms are common, snow chains may help you power through severe snow. For instance, many drivers traveling in mountains with heavy snowfall may prefer snow chains for enhanced traction.
Winter tires generally perform better on paved roads with minimal snow. Tire chains are best for unplowed roads and should only be used for especially wintry conditions, as chains can cause damage to your car and paved roads.
All-season tires are great for fall, summer, and spring. Unlike winter tires, manufacturers design all-season tires with pliable rubber material to withstand temperate conditions.
Drivers who live in warm states, like Florida or Nevada, only need all-season tires. Drivers in states with moderate to heavy snowfall, like Colorado and Vermont, should have a separate set of snow tires for when temperatures drop.
It’s a good idea to switch your all-season tires to winter tires when the temperature gets down to 45 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
When the temperature consistently reaches above 45 degrees Fahrenheit, reinstall your all-season tires. The type of rubber material on a snow tire can’t withstand warmer ground. Your snow tires will wear out sooner if you keep them on all year.
A good rule of thumb is to put winter tires on around Thanksgiving and keep them on until Tax Day in mid-April.
Getting the right snow tires is important for staying safe on the road. Here’s what you need to consider when deciding on snow tires:6
Having an auto shop install your snow tires is the easiest way to get them on your car. But installation can be expensive. If you want to install them at home, here’s how:7
Get your tools. You’ll need a jack, lug wrench, and a torque wrench.
Move your car onto a flat, level surface.
Loosen the lug nuts on your tire using the lug wrench, but don’t remove them completely.
Use the jack to lift up your car. It’s important to use the jack in a safe spot, so check your car’s manual.
Remove the lug nuts fully, remove the tire, and store it appropriately.
Mount your snow tires, put the lug nuts back on, and hand-tighten them.
Lower your car off the jack.
Tighten the lug nuts with your torque wrench according to the car’s specifications.
Your snow tires can last three or more seasons if you take care of them properly. One way to get the most out of your snow tires is to avoid using them when the weather gets warmer. While your snow tires are optimal for winter conditions, the pliable material may wear faster on warm pavement.
Another way to ensure your winter tires’ longevity is to store them properly. Keep them in a dark, dry place, away from heat sources like sunlight, heaters, and air ducts. Finally, perform regular air pressure checks on your snow tires. Having an underinflated tire isn’t only hazardous, but it can also wear your snow tires down more quickly.
Winter tires may cost you a few hundred dollars but can be worth every penny. This type of tire will improve traction, braking, and acceleration in cold, wintry conditions. Above all, snow tires give you better control over your vehicle, reducing the risk of an accident.
Preventing an accident is vital to keeping your insurance premiums low. If you’re at fault in an accident, your insurance premiums may increase by about 45% during your next renewal.
So it may be worth shelling out a couple hundred dollars to buy snow tires. By doing so, you can avoid a potential accident and keep your premiums from increasing.
Snow tires are an important investment. If you have more questions, check out the answers below.
No. But snow tires aren’t meant to drive on hot pavement, so they’ll wear down faster in warm weather.
Think twice about using your snow tires all year. The rubber component on snow tires can’t handle the warm ground, so your snow tires may wear down faster.
Yes. You must install all four tires with snow tires when temperatures drop below a certain point. All-season and summer tires don’t provide optimal traction on snowy and slushy roads. With less grip, you may have less control over your vehicle, posing a safety risk to you, your passengers, and others on the road.
Yes. Snow tires improve traction and stability and shorten braking distance. This helps prevent you from fishtailing or sliding into the driver in front of you.
Yes. The flexible tread rubber and deep tread patterns on winter tires allow for more traction on slippery roads, which can prevent sliding and skidding.
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
We do receive compensation when a sale or referral occurs from many of the insurance providers and marketing partners on our site. That may impact which products we display and where they appear on our site. But it does not influence our meticulously researched editorial content, what we write about, or any reviews or recommendations we may make. We do not guarantee favorable reviews or any coverage at all in exchange for compensation.
)
)
)