What You Need To Know About Snow Tires

Related Topic:
Winter Tire And Wheel Packages
Discount Snow Tires
Winter Tire Reviews And Ratings

Like the name suggests, snow tires are designed for driving in snow. One thing you should know is that no matter how many safety features your car has, its your tires that will let you maneuver safely through snow and ice. It has to do with their design.

Snow tires are designed differently than all-season tires or rain tires.  First of all, the rubber is designed to take colder temperatures. Once the temperature drops below -10C, the rubber in a snow tire will not lose its grip like other types of tires. The rubber doesn't harden in the cold due to the different chemical composition.

Also, the tread on snow tires is most appropriate for driving in deep snow. The treading is wider that on all-season or rain tires. Snow tires kick out the snow and grip the road more effectively, much like a rain tire does. All-season tires don't do this. 

I know what you are thinking. "Do I have to change to snow tires only in winter?? What about the rest of the year? 

That's a good question. Actually, snow tires can be safer for driving on dry, wet, or slushy road surfaces. That's because of the new rubber compounds that allow the tires to grip well on different kind of road surfaces. Its not recommended that you keep them on your vehicle when winter ends. This is because of their extra gripping ability, they tend to wear faster on dry roads.

Don't Mix And Match With Snow Tires

For the sake of safety, its best to put snow tires on all four wheels. Back in the days when most cars were rear-wheel drive, people would put snow tires on the back and all-weather tires on the front. The thinking behind this was that it would give you better forward traction. 

That may have been true back then, but not now. Nowadays, you need to put snow tires on ALL your wheels. That's because most vehicles are front-wheel drive. In a front wheel-drive vehicle you need front and lateral traction.  Only by having snow tires on all four wheel will you get enough front  and lateral traction to help prevent skidding and spin-outs. 

The Problem With Most Online Snow Tire Merchants

1. they have limited selections
2. prices aren't that great
3. they usually don't have in stock what you want
4. haven't got a clue what customer service means
5. won't ship to an installer (at any cost)
6. won't help you find a qualified installer

We've found a top notch online merchant where we recommend you shop for winter tires

This merchant will give you:

• a large selection
• low discount pricing
• high quality top brand names
• fast delivery
• great after sale customer service
• secure online ordering

They'll even ship to your installer at no extra cost.