General
Snow tires that are also called winter tires these tires provide better traction and braking on winter roads as compared to all-season tires, summer tires, or performance tires. Snow tires main advantage is that they come from a cold-friendly rubber composition and precipitation friendly tread designs.
Snow tires come in two forms studded and studless types. These tires have metal pins across the tread blocks that tear into snow and ice. These tires are harmful to roads that’s why it is only allowed in winters in most of Canada and the US. They are also banned in some states before buying check it. Studless snow tires are the standard because of its advanced tread design and rubber formation.
All-season tires are not a substitute for winter tires. They are built in a way that you feel comfortable and fuel-economy stay the same in both summer and winter, and they are made up of stiffer rubber compounds whereas winter tires are made of hydrophilic rubber i.e. water-loving. If you drive in snow and ice you need better traction on the road that winter tires give you. There are laws in some states in which the requirement of snow tires is mandatory.
The off-road and all-terrain tires are snow-rate but not the substitute for snow tires. Although they are designed in a way to handle the snow terrain and they can but not in an optimized way. If you drive a lot in icy streets and snow roads than you need snow tires.
If you get the tires off right size with that are lightly use i.e. when you have checked the tread depth using a tire tread depth gauge it has more than 6/32ends of an inch then you can go for them. Make sure you have tested it on different parts of the groove. Also, check then there is no uneven wear on the tires. Only then go for used tires.
We advise you to get for all four wheels as if you get for the only front then the back may spin out due to losing grip as compared to the front and if you get for back then you may find it difficult to turn your vehicles.
If used, maintained, and stored properly they can last three to four seasons. After that, you can use them but the benefit of the winter tire will not be there.
They generally cost about $100-$150 per tire for passenger cars and $200-$400 per tire for SUV or pickup truck. The rim on the winter tire is for around $65. If discounts are going on you may get great deals.
If winter temperature in your area drops below 45 F / 7 C then they are worth it to avoid extra expenses.
Snow tires can be expensive to purchase every year especially if you are going to need them only a few times a year. Instead, you can use tire chains that fit over your existing tires to provide additional grip. In some states where winter condition is extreme, it is necessary to have chains on tires, even if you have winter tires.
It’s good to place snow tires away from heat, light, air, and moisture to protect from rubber breakdown or dry rot.
