Yes, but doing so will cost you more money and compromise your vehicle’s non-winter performance. Winter tires will wear out faster on warm pavement due to the soft and pliable rubber they’re made of. In addition, those sipes and channels that do a great job helping with winter traction actually reduce handling ability on dry roads.
For true capability in the snow and ice, an AWD vehicle equipped with snow tires is the best choice. AWD vehicles without snow tires will help you accelerate in snow, but cornering and stopping are not enhanced by all-wheel drive systems. The reality is that a proper set of snow tires, regardless of the drivetrain, are a must for winter driving.
Yes, snow tires have sipes and channels that allow the tire to flex under dry handling conditions. This flex causes the tires to lose grip sooner than summer or all-season tires which have more solid blocks of rubber.
Snow tires are available in both studless, studded, and studdable designs. At Mavis, we also offer Ice Compound Winter tires.
In short, no. Putting snow tires on the front can help while accelerating on snow or ice in a front-wheel drive car, but that’s about it. If the front has grip, but the rear does not, the vehicle is at risk of spinning out while cornering.
A general rule of thumb is never to mix two types of tires together. Mixing all-season tires with snow tires can lead to loss of traction and control when you need it most. All four tires must work in concert to keep a vehicle under control when the road gets slippery.
Since snow tires are designed to work in lower temperatures, a good rule of thumb is to put on snow tires when early morning (the coldest part of the day) temperatures are regularly dropping below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Driving in an area where snow and ice are almost guaranteed can be a serious challenge if your car or truck isn't equipped with proper snow tires. Winter tires are specifically engineered to help you get better traction in treacherous icy conditions by providing grip where all-season or summer tires simply can’t.
To help you find the right set of snow tires for your vehicle, and answer some common winter tire questions, the experts at Mavis Tires and Brakes are here to help.
The Difference Between Regular Tires and Winter Tires
Winter tires (also known as snow tires) differ from standard tires in a number of ways:
Cold-weather rubber: Unlike all-season tires, snow tires use a rubber compound that is specifically designed to remain flexible once temperatures drop. This ensures that the tire remains fully in contact with the road surface as a vehicle moves down the road.
Tread Depth: Winter tires use a deeper tread depth and channels to help reduce snow build-up and move slush and icy water away from the tire while underway. This helps keep frozen material from getting stuck under the tire, which can lead to a possible loss of traction.
Tread Design: Snow tires utilize a tread design element known as a biting edge to provide grip in the snow and ice. Biting edges are tread patterns on the surface of the tire that are packed with thousands of tiny cuts known as sipes. These tiny cuts are designed to dig in and bite like a set of cleats on a grass field.
Some winter tires are available with studs that protrude from the surface to help ensure grip in especially difficult conditions, such as roads that aren’t regularly treated with salt or cleared by plows. Studdable tires are a unique hybrid that blends a winter tire tread design with a studded winter tire that utilizes removable studs versus permanently embedded studs.
In order to easily identify a winter tire, look for a mountain or snowflake symbol stamped on the sidewall.
Why You Need Winter Tires
Simply put, winter tires make true winter driving a safer experience for both you and your passengers. If you live in an area where the roads are icy a few nights out of the year or an occasional snow flurry is common, then all-season tires are more than up to the task. However, if you experience heavy annual snowfall, consistent winter freezes, and icy roads: snow tires are a must. Some benefits include:
Higher flexibility for a better grip
Great traction
Better steering and braking
Lowers the chance of hydroplaning
Greater traction on acceleration
Seemingly mundane situations like coming to a stop at a traffic signal, accelerating from a stop sign, or cornering on a highway on-ramp at moderate speed take on a whole new meaning when snow and ice are present. Winter tires will help ensure that your vehicle has optimum grip for performing these basic duties, and provide a level of driving confidence and security that all-season or summer tires can’t match.
The best winter tires blend into your day-to-day winter driving routine and provide grip when needed without calling attention to themselves.
How Much Do Snow Tires Cost?
There are many factors that will determine the cost of a set of snow tires.
Much like all-season or summer tires, tire costs can vary widely depending on the tire size. For example, snow tires for a CUV with a 16-inch tire will be less expensive than winter tires for a light truck with a 20-inch tire.
Older, more established models like the Bridgestone Blizzak or Michelin X-Ice snow tires will command a premium over less-established models. Location can also have an impact on pricing, so it’s best to check with your local Mavis for the most accurate pricing available.
Find Snow Tires in Your Area
At Mavis, we’re proud to offer a selection of new tires that are ready to take on the toughest winter weather. We carry great deals from legendary brands like Bridgestone, Michelin, Hankook, Goodyear, and more. And with many locations in 23 states (and counting), our tire experts are ready to help you find the right tire for your vehicle based on your needs and your budget.
From tire installations to complete auto services like inspections and wheel alignments, Mavis Tires and Brakes makes tire buying easy. Schedule an appointment online or call 1-877-684-7365 to experience the Mavis difference today.
