If you’ve ever driven on a snowy day when road conditions are a bit slippery, you’ve probably felt your vehicle slip or slide while on the pavement. All-season tires are capable of handling slightly snowy conditions, but if you live in an area that consistently has more than an inch or two of snow on the ground, we highly recommend looking into a set of snow tires. But what are the differences between regular tires and snow tires? Read on to find out!
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Snow tires vs regular tires
As mentioned before, regular tires are designed to be effective during every season. That being said, they only provide so much traction on the ground when conditions are less than ideal. Heavy rain or slight snow isn’t a problem for all-season tires, but once snow begins compiling, regular tires struggle to get a good grip on the road. That’s where snow tires come in. Snow tires have a tread compound that gets harder as the weather gets colder, allowing them to drive over heavy snow, slush, and ice easier than all-season tires. The rubber compounds found on snow tires specifically prevent them from freezing, giving them a better grip on the ground in even the slipperiest conditions.
A mechanic carrying a tire
A close up of a wheel covered in snow
Do I need to buy four snow tires or just two?
If you’re looking at purchasing a set of snow tires, we highly recommend buying four. Vehicles aren’t designed to operate with two different sets of tires, even if the tires are similar in size. All-wheel drive and front-wheel drive also don’t affect this, as we suggest purchasing winter tires in sets of four regardless of your drivetrain.
Read more: 3 tips for staying safe on the road this winter in the Midwest
Have additional questions about the benefits of snow tires? If so, don’t hesitate to contact a member of our team here at Matt Castrucci Nissan! We’ll fill you in on all of the important details and answer any questions you may have!
