When winter approaches and you begin to think about driving in the ice and snow, you'll hopefully give some consideration to your car's tires. When you drive on all-season tires, it's easy to forgo the thought of upgrading to winter tires, especially given the fact that all-season tires' name indicates that they're acceptable for driving on throughout the year. The fact is, however, that all-season tires don't give you the same control and stopping distance as winter tires, and the lack of winter tires could lead to an accident if the road conditions are poor. Here are some key advantages to winter tires that are important to consider.
The Tread Patterns Are Different
When you look at the tread of an all-season tire next to a snow tire, there's little doubt as to which type of tire you'd rather have on your vehicle when you're driving in inclement weather. The tread patterns on snow tires are clearly more impressive, consisting of ridged areas, aggressive studs, and other such features that can really dig into the snow and allow you to keep your vehicle under control, whether you're stopping, turning, or just driving along. The tread depth on winter tires is also more noticeable, which is helpful if you're driving on roads with built-up snow accumulation.
The Rubber Is Better
While the rubber in all-season tires is suitable for driving in moderate winters, it's a smart investment to upgrade to winter tires if you live where it's very cold. The rubber compound in winter tires is significantly better than in all-season tires; winter tires are made up of softer rubber, which will resist getting hard in moderately cold temperatures. When a tire's rubber gets hard, it begins to lose the traction that it needs to have to keep you under control. When you have winter tires on your vehicle, you know that the rubber is staying at the right consistency to help keep you safe on the road.
They're Not As Noisy As They Used To Be
In years past, some drivers steered clear of winter tires because they tended to be noisier on the road than all-season tires. This meant that if the roads were bare, you had to put up with a loud humming sound as you drove. The reality today is that winter tires are designed with specific tread patterns to be quieter than their older counterparts. As a result, you won't have to deal with any excessive noise while you drive.
For more information about winter tires, talk to a tire professional, such as those at F & H Tire Co.
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