Do I Need Snow Tires?

Do you need snow tires? If winter in your town means ice, snow, or frosty temperatures, the answer is yes. Snow tires - also called winter tires - are specially designed to maintain their grip the road in spite of slippery conditions. By enhancing traction, they keep you from skidding over ice patches and into an accident. Snow tires also assist you as you steer, accelerate, and brake through winter conditions. Here are some of the most important reasons why you should invest in winter tires.

How Cold or Snowy Does It Have To Be?

We're going to assume, since you're reading this, that you don't live in southern California, along the Gulf of Mexico, or anywhere near the Everglades. But how cold or snowy does it have to be to warrant winter tires? We wish we could give you an exact latitude, altitude, or temperature. But winters are anything but predictable. If you regularly see winter weather below 44 degrees, snow tires are a good idea. And the colder your climate, the better option they are. Why? Because snow tires aren't just about snow. They are made of winter rubber, a high-silica compound rubber that stays elastic in cold temperatures. That combination helps you start, brake, and corner better as you drive.

I Have All-Season Tires, Isn't That Enough?

Nearly all new cars are sold with all-season tires. Lots of buyers hear the name and think they're good no matter the weather. That's why Consumer Reports discovered that only 9 percent of drivers use snow tires in the winter. But despite their name, all-season tires aren't really good for all seasons, unless you live somewhere fairly warm all year round.

In addition to being made of winterized rubber, snow tires have better tread patterns that are designed for ice and snow. This tread grips the snowed-on road or just cold pavement better than all-season tires because they have more cuts, meaning more edges, than conventional tires. A good comparison might be that snow tires are a bit like hiking shoes versus your all-weather tire tennis shoes. Those cuts fill with snow and provide better grip. The cuts also channel water so you don't skid on the water atop the road ice, but grip firmly to the ice itself.

I Have All-Wheel Drive--Isn't That Enough?

I'm afraid not. A common misconception is that all-wheel drive helps with braking in snowy conditions. But the truth is that all-wheel drive helps you find the traction to get moving but it does absolutely nothing to help you brake or steer. So if you live on a steep road, all-wheel drive will help you climb the hill but won't prevent you from slipping going down.

The tires, not the transmission, do the actual braking and handling. Those who install winter tires on their all-wheel drive vehicles will find that their acceleration is enhanced as well. The tires help with every aspect of the car's movement. It's where the rubber meets the road, so to speak.

How Do I Install Snow Tires?

Unless you're pretty handy with a tire wrench and have lots of spare time, there's no need to measure and mount the tires yourself. Mechanics at Allentown Kia can fit and mount them for you. This task is especially tricky since installers need to measure wheel wells for proper fit. Service techs have seen your particular model dozens if not hundreds of times and know what size tires it takes and how to properly mount them. Stop by Allentown Kia in September to schedule yours. In the spring, when the weather warms up, come back and we can swap back your old tires, if they're still good. That's pretty simple and you'll be a whole lot safer.