It's December and cold
temperatures are spreading across the country, but do you need winter tires?
December is here and temperatures have
dropped across the country. That means it’s time to put on your car’s winter
tires. If you don’t have winter tires, perhaps you should consider it.
A few things make it a
winter tire. First, they have large tread blocks and deep grooves for biting
into snow. Second, they tend to have a squared off shoulder to dog into snow
when cornering. The different rubber compound is the reason winter tires are not
just for snow and ice. On dry pavement where all-season tires tend to be less
effective, the winter tires really excel.
There are some significant
downsides to winter tires however. They give you more grip at lower
temperatures, typically between 40 and 50 degrees and below, but they have less
grip than the alternatives above that level. That means come springtime you
have to switch to all-season or summer tires. There’s the cost of the second
set of tires, you typically pay to have them switched twice a year, and then
there’s the issue of storing the second set. Four tires take up a good amount
of room.
Winter tires are arguably
most important for powerful performance cars. This type of car often comes with
standard summer tires, the opposite of winter tires. They give you better grip
when it’s warm, but are downright hazardous when it’s cold.
All-season tires are better
than they’ve ever been and they’ll work for most people. But if you want the
absolute best performance at all temperatures, winter tires and summer tires
are the way to go.