Snow Lie: Who Said Snow Tires Are Just for Snow?

December 19, 2019

All-season tires don’t cut it.

But neither do snow tires.

“All-season” could be the worst description for tires ever. These tires are considered to be your everyday, standard tires that you can use to get around throughout the year, but they don’t really cut it when it comes to delivering a premium ride in the winter. If you live in South Florida, these tires might provide great traction all year long, but if you live in Cleveland, you typically need a little more grip to get through a harsh winter. In fact, according to an article on Autoblog, a new all-season tire provides traction equivalent to that provided by a half-worn snow tire. That’s amazing to consider when you think about how many Clevelanders are traversing the city in the snow on tires they have had on since July!

“Snow tires” is a bad description for the tires you put on in November and December as well. While they do provide protection from the white stuff, winter’s most visible and distinguishable product, they also protect against ice and rain as well. That’s why there is a movement in the industry to label them “winter tires” rather than “snow tires.” Ask any Clevelander, and they’ll tell you that ice and black ice are far more intimidating than snow when you think of driving and the impact of tires. Would Clevelanders be more likely to buy winter tires than snow tires? Time will tell.

Until then, we’ve got some things you need to know about winter tires:

They grip better because of the unique tread patterns.

Winter tires have deeper treads. The deeper tread patterns can reduce snow build-up inside the grooves. They also have designs that are intended to repel water and channel snow and ice out of the tread path. 

The rubber compounds themselves are different.

Our tire experts in Akron will love this one. The rubber itself is softer and designed to remain flexible, even in cold weather. This flexibility enables them to grip the surface of the road better.

Winter tires have more bite.

People have said that they need a tire with some “bite” for a long time, but it’s a real thing! Biting edges are tiny slits in the tread of the tire that are designed to give better traction on ice and slick surfaces.

You need a full set to be safe.

There is a dangerous myth that if you have a front-wheel-drive vehicle, you only need to put snow tires on the front of the car, but that’s not true at all. Having winter tires on the front of the car but not the back can actually increase the likelihood that the back tires will slip. 

Winter tires won’t last long in the summer.

That soft rubber compound that makes them so effective in the winter also makes them wear faster in heat. You’ll want to put your regular tires on in the spring to avoid wearing out your winter wheels.

We can help – we work in snow, rain, sleet, and hail! Stop in at your neighborhood Rad Air Car Center today and get fitted for a new set of snowshoes for your ride! Schedule your visit today!

Schedule Your Visit for Winter Tires Today!