Snow Tires vs All-Season Tires: Making the Right Choice with Little Wolf Automotive
Good quality tires are one of the most important safety elements for your car or truck, particularly in the winter. Snow and ice leave roadways slick and dangerous, and accidents aren’t uncommon. Which tires you choose to put on your vehicle play a significant role in your overall safety and how well you are able to control your vehicle in inclement weather. Snow tires, also called winter tires, are one way you can decrease the chances of a winter car accident. Here’s what you should know.
What Are Snow Tires?
Snow tires are a special type of tire that is designed to provide better traction on slick surfaces in the winter. Waupaca has a long winter season with heavy precipitation, making winter tires an excellent investment for your vehicle.
Are Snow Tires Better Than All-Season Tires In the Winter?
Some people like the idea of having a set of all-season tires that generally only need replacing when they’re worn out instead of getting new tires each season. However, all-season tires simply don’t offer the same performance during the winter as snow tires. For drivers in cold-weather climates, this key difference is crucial.
Consumer Reports’ data shows that dedicated winter tires have significantly better traction:
- When braking on ice, snow tires allow you to come to a stop within 30 feet, whereas all-season tires require 36 feet
- When driving on snow, dedicated snow tires allow you to improve traction by 34%
When you live in an area that gets more winter precipitation, it’s important to ensure that you and your family are as safe as possible when traveling.
How to Choose the Right Winter Tires for Your Vehicle
Purchasing quality snow tires can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve waited until winter weather has already hit to get them. Better late than never though, and here are some tips on how to select the right snow tires for your vehicle:
- Determine that the tires are, in fact, winter tires. This is typically indicated by a snowflake or mountain symbol.
- Select a matching set of four tires. All four tires should have the same specs and similar wear patterns to provide the best traction on snow and ice.
- Opt for mid-priced if you can. Price doesn’t necessarily always indicate quality, but with tires, you can be relatively confident that higher-priced tires are made with more reliable materials and safety features.
Get Reliable Snow Tires Today -- Call Little Wolf Auto
At Little Wolf Automotive, we specialize in quality winter tires for small, mid-size, and commercial vehicles. We can help you select the best snow tires for your budget and car, so you can have peace of mind that your safety is covered this winter. Contact us today for more information or to book your auto repair appointment at (715) 258-0200. Our mechanics are ACE-Certified and are available now to assist you with keeping your vehicle in top operating condition.