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If you are like most people, you invest a lot of time and effort to keep your vehicle running at its best so that you will always have a reliable means of transportation. Many drivers, however, overlook the importance of choosing the right tires for the environment in which they drive their cars and trucks.
As the only part of a vehicle that touches the road, your tires play a significant role in keeping you and your passengers safe. The way that your tires connect with and grip the road is critical to your ability to stop and maneuver your vehicle. If you don’t have the right tire for the job, the performance and handling of your vehicle will suffer. The type of tire that will work the best depends on where you live and the weather patterns of your environment.
How Winter Affects Tires
When the temperature starts to drop, the tires will stiffen because of the cold, which will lead to cracks and poor handling. During winter, the tires will encounter more stress than usual. Not having the appropriate type of tires will cause damage and wear. Because snowy roads make it difficult to maneuver your vehicle, you will want to have tires that you can depend on.
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In fact, if you live in a location that experiences especially harsh winters, it might be mandatory to use winter tires during the cold months. Failing to do so could be a violation of the law. You might be familiar with someone who swears that all-season tires will do the job as well as winter tires, but this depends on a number of factors. Let’s see what differences there are between all-season and winter tires, and explain why winter tires are a good investment in most situations.
Winter Tires Versus All-Season Tires
People commonly believe that all-season tires are the same as winter tires, but there is a critical difference that you won’t want to overlook. When you buy a new car from a dealership, it will come equipped with all-season tires, and they are designed to improve your vehicle’s handling in various weather conditions, including rain, sleet, and light snow. When you have all-season tires, you can use them during the summer and winter months, but this option is not without its limits. As a fair compromise, all-season tires cannot give you the best of both worlds.
Although they work well in most weather conditions, all-weather tires are not reliable in heavy snow and ice. Winter tires, on the other hand, are designed to operate in heavy snow, and they will work wonders on the ice.
Specific Properties for Better Traction
During the cold months of winter, the roads can quickly become dangerous for drivers, and no matter how cautious you are, you can never reduce the risk of a collision entirely. In addition to heavy snowfall, black ice can also catch you off guard when you least expect it, increasing the danger even more. Summer and all-season tires won’t perform well when such conditions are present.
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When exposed to cold air, tires become rigid, causing them to lose even more traction. The good news is that you won’t need to worry about those problems with winter tires installed on your vehicle. Not only will they maintain their flexibility, but winter tires can grip snowy roads with ease. The rubber, tread depth, and patterns on winter tires give them an unbeatable advantage when the winter weather is at its worst. Each time you hit the breaks or go around a corner, having proper tires on your vehicle can make the difference between safely reaching your destination and sliding off the road.
When Should You Invest in Winter Tires
Now that you understand the importance of winter tires, you are likely wondering whether you should purchase them. The answer will depend on your location and the amount of snow that you expect each year. If you only get a few flurries during the winter, you can safely keep your all-season tires. When you don’t need to drive in heavy snow and ice, opting to skip the investment is not a problem.
If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, winter tires can go a long way in keeping you safe.
Those who live in areas that alternate between light flurries and intense snowfall will also want to consider the benefits of getting winter tires installed. Either way, you will need to make the investment before the first snowfall of the year if you don’t want to encounter any problems.
Can You Use Winter Tires all Year?
After learning about the advantages of winter tires, you might wonder whether you can use them all year long. Even though they can prevent you from sliding off the road or into another vehicle during winter road conditions, winter tires don’t perform well in the spring or summer.
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If you keep your winter tires mounted when the temperatures begin to rise, it won’t take long for them to become worn out. Without low temperatures and snow, the heat and hard pavement will quickly take a toll on even the toughest winter tires. If your goal is to enjoy the best possible results, you must mount your all-season or summer tires once the winter season is over.
Final Thoughts
Keeping all-season tires on your car during the winter is not a safe decision if you live in areas where you get snowfall each year. Not having proper tires for snowy roads will hinder your ability to control your vehicle. The snow and ice will reduce your traction, and losing control can happen before you know that something is wrong. If you are worried about the costs, let’s put it into perspective: Investing in winter tires is nothing compared to the cost of potential damage caused by a collision. Designed to maintain flexibility and grip on snow and ice, winter tires will keep your car safely on the road, providing you with peace of mind.
You won’t want to take any chances when your safety and the safety of your passengers are on the line, so don’t have any second thoughts when it comes to getting the proper winter tires for your vehicle.
The post Winter Tires vs. All-Season Tires: When are Winter Tires a Good Investment? appeared first on Proctor Cars Magazine.