The Ultimate Guide to Winter Tires vs. All-Season Tires

It’s getting chilly out there.With snow coming sooner rather than later, you’re probably starting to think about all things winter.That includes your vehicle’s tires.So, what’s the deal with winter tires? Should you stick with all-season?Here’s what you need to know to make the best choice.Winter tires outdo all-season tiresHere’s the deal: All-season tires don’t even come close to performing as well as winter tires.It’s true for driving on snow, ice, and in the rain.Winter tires have more aggressive tread patterns and the rubber compound they’re made from is softer than their all-season counterparts.You’ll get better traction, a quicker stopping time, and more stability when you make turns.Where the rubber meets the roadA test was performed with two similar vehicles.One was outfitted with winter tires while the other had all-season.Both cars accelerated to 30 miles per hour and then the drivers hit the brakes at a predetermined spot.The vehicle equipped with winter tires stopped 30-feet sooner than the vehicle with all-season tires.That’s 66% faster.In this same test, the vehicle that had winter tires also accelerated 33% faster.What about cost?A set of winter tires will cost you upwards of $600 (depending on your wheel size). But that’s not the only expense to think about. You’ll also have to pay an auto shop to switch them out in the spring and fall.If you have them mounted on your existing wheels, you’ll pay about $20 per tire to have one set demounted, the alternate tires put on and then to have them balanced.Need some help?The experienced auto technicians at any of our Serra Auto Park locations can help you make the important decisions about all your car-care needs.Give us a call or stop by today and let’s talk.
Source: blog