Do I Really Need Winter Tires

If someone asks the question, do I really need winter tires, then the answer will usually be yes. People that live in areas where it snows or where the roads are frequently covered with ice, may appreciate the need for winter tires more than people living in warmer climates, but even people that live in cold, icy areas sometimes feel that they don’t need snow tires.

A lot of people feel that they don’t need winter tires because of the safety technology that their car comes equipped with. If they have all-wheel drive, traction control, and antilock brakes, they may not feel the need for tires that are specially designed for winter weather. The problem with this thinking is that your tires are the only part of your vehicle that comes into contact with the road and all of those safety features won’t do you any good if your tires cannot maintain traction with the road.

I Have Traction Control On My Vehicle

Let’s look at some of those safety features a little closer. Traction control helps to prevent your wheels from spinning. If one wheel is spinning faster than the others, power will be diverted to the other wheels to help maintain traction with the road. However, it is the tires that are actually giving you traction and although traction control can certainly help with your car’s performance, it will not be effective without the right tires providing the traction.

What About Anit-Lock Brakes?

Like the name suggests, antilock brakes will keep your brakes from locking up which will prevent you from sliding and help reduce stopping distance. Of course your stopping distance still relies primarily on the traction you have with the road. If your tires are unable to grip the road, your anti-lock brakes will not help you stop.

Isn’t Having 4-Wheel Drive Good Enough?

It’s the same with all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive will provide power to all four wheels of your vehicle but it will not give your vehicle the traction it needs to drive safely. Tires are what give the vehicle traction.

All-Season Tires Are Just As Good As Winter Tires…Right?

Another reason why many people feel that they do not need winter tires is because they have all-season tires. The term “all season” leads people to believe that there tires are sufficient for anytime of year. All-season tires are able to perform well in many conditions most of the time but, they are a compromise. Conditions can change dramatically with the seasons in many parts of the country and a tire that is designed specifically for wet, icy, or snowy conditions is going to perform better than a tire that is designed to be suitable for all seasons.

Winter tires are designed with a tread that will provide maximum grip in slick oricy conditions. The rubber that they are made of has also been designed specifically for cold temperatures. When temperatures are cold, rubber can get much harder and a harder tire will not be able to grip the road as efficiently. Snow tires are made with rubber compounds that will remain softer in cold temperatures and provide maximum traction.

Studies have shown that tires not designed for winter driving can have a greatly reduced grip on the road and a large reduction in overall performance. Things like gas mileage, braking distance, and handling can all suffer unless you’re using tires that are specifically designed for the conditions. Braking distance can double if you are not using winter tires and that is a major safety concern. For all of those reasons, whenever someone asks do I really need winter tires, my answer would be an emphatic yes.

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