What Makes Winter and Snow Tires Worth the Price?

You are on the market for a new tire set, but can't decide whether to purchase snow tires or all season models. Hopefully, we will give you some advice.

Do you need snow tires for your vehicle for the winter season or not? Can all season tires offer the same traction? Why are winter tires so special? We answer all of your questions and everything else you might need to know at Priority Tire.

Winter Tires vs All Season Tires

The difference between winter and all season tires goes deeper than just their tread pattern. While it is true that some all season tires also feature detailed tread designs, they are still significantly distinct from snow tires.

For starters, all season tires feature a narrower tread depth compared to the average snow tire tread. The best tires for ice and snow feature zigzag and sawtooth sipes, which work with the grooves to generate traction. Compared to these, all season tires in winter aren't able to provide the same road gripping ability. Snow tread tires provide a higher number of biting edges that handle ice- and snow-covered surfaces.

However, a bigger difference can be noticed when looking at the rubber compounds. Tire manufacturers special compound blends to keep tires pliable even in freezing temperatures. Rubber is combined with additives, like silica, to strengthen them in below 45°F. Even those all season tires that are good in snow cannot withstand such temperatures.

Therefore, when deciding between all season or winter tires, keep this in mind.

If you really wish to have all year tires, it might be worth looking into snow-rated, all season tires. Sadly, not many tire brands are manufacturing them as of yet.

This Is How Winter Tires Perform on Ice

Good winter tires are able to handle both cold temperatures and snow-covered road surfaces. This is ensured with the combination of winter compounds and detailed tread patterns, which is why winter tires for cars are needed for winter weather.

The best tires for snow and ice use special compound blends. These softer compounds maintain their rubber flexibility even in freezing temperatures. This is achieved with special additives that reinforce the rubber.

Additionally, the compounds work with the tread depth and pattern of snow tires to strengthen traction in winter conditions. They are able to eliminate the top layer of water on ice-covered road surfaces. As a result, this greatly increases its traction on icy roads.

Furthermore, the extra biting edges of snow tires provide better traction. As a result, these tires are able to securely enhance ice and snow performance. Tire brands utilize different tread technologies to make this happen.

So, are snow tires worth it? Yes, as these compound and tread pattern improvements enable a secure winter weather performance.

How Much Do Snow Tires Cost?

Generally speaking, a good winter tire set will cost you a pretty penny. Due to their detailed manufacturing, even cheap winter tires cost about $250 a set.

But, let's look at it more closely.

In winter conditions, on snowy and icy roads, it is important that you are running a good winter tire set. Now, what winter tires you need will depend on your vehicle and the winter conditions you are driving in.

Areas with harsher winters will need more durable snow tires for cars to safely perform. Following this logic, aggressive winter car tires will cost more than regular winter performance tires.

Tires with snow treads from top-tier brands usually cost about $600 per set, but the price range can go up to $1000 depending on the wheel size you need. On the other hand, if you are looking for less expensive winter-rated tires, you will be able to find some for as low as $60 a piece.

The question is: Are winter tires worth it when you have all season tires?

No matter which snow and ice tires you get, they will be worth the price. Snow tires help you offer better traction in winter conditions, minimize the possibility of accidents, and keep your control over the vehicle at all times. Looking at the increased driving safety - yes, car snow tires are worth their price.

How Long Do Winter Tires Last?

When buying snow tires, keep in mind that they are good for a couple of seasons. Usually, they will need to be replaced after 3-4 winter weather seasons when their tread depth reaches around 4/32".

Yes, tires can be legally used until they have 2/32" of tread depth. However, for safety reasons, snow-treaded tires need at least 4/32" to provide the necessary traction. The benefits of snow tires shine as long as the detailed footprint elements and tread depth are able to offer better traction. Therefore, when the tread wears away, they need to be switched for new ones.

Normally, it takes 3-4 seasons for a snow and ice tire set to wear out.

Using Snow Tires in the Summer Is a Big No No

Driving on snow tires in summer is not a good idea. There are multiple reasons for that, but it all comes down to its design. The difference between summer and winter tires is their tread design and rubber compound.

Summer tires feature minimalistic tread designs and durable summer compounds. These are designed for warm temperature performance. On the other hand, snowflake-rated tires use softer compounds and detailed footprints for freezing winter conditions.

Therefore, models with winter tire ratings should not be used in summer conditions. The special soft compound is not able to handle hot temperatures. Warm weather and hot pavements cause snow winter tires to wear out quickly.

With faster tread wear, not only is the winter tire's tread life shortened but its traction is diminished as well. Accelerated wear will leave you in need of new winter tires sooner, while bad traction can leave you stranded or worse in winter conditions.

So, how long do winter tires last in summer?

If you are lucky, they will survive a couple of summer seasons. However, your winter weather performance will be sacrificed. All in all, it is not a good idea to use snow tires in summer conditions. Snow tires all year is also not a favorable choice.

But Are Snow Tires Good in the Rain? (At Least)

Winter tires are designed to grab onto dry weather, ice- and snow-covered road surfaces. You might think that rainy and icy roads are slippery in the same manner, but that is not the case.

The sawtooth sipes most winter SUV tires sport (along with the passenger models) are designed to create traction on ice-covered surfaces. When it comes to rain and generally wet conditions, the situation is different.

For rainy weather, tires need deep grooves to channel water through the footprint. If this does not happen, the vehicle begins to hydroplane. Sadly, the benefits of winter tires are not at the forefront in wet situations.

Passenger car and SUV snow tires are not the best for wet weather applications, not even at regular highway speeds. If you are looking to buy winter tires in areas with heavy rainfall in the winter months, you will have to tweak your driving habits to improve safety. Slow and steady wins the winter race.

What Are Studded Tires and Where are They Needed?

When it comes to using studded tires, you might get fined. State law regulates the use of snow, studded tires even in winter conditions. But, why is this?

Actually, there is a really good reason for it. However, let's just quickly run through what studded tires actually are. What do snow tires look like with studs?

Studs can be made of rubber or metal, which can be added to the tread area. They are embedded into the snow tire in order to generate extra traction. How do studded tires work?

The studs located in the tread area dig into the ice to create traction and provide better stability on such slippery surfaces. Yet, studded tires will not provide better traction on snow-covered road surfaces.

Arguably, studded tires will also damage dry weather winter roads, as they will still dig into the driving surface. For this reason, states regulate their use.

If you wish to buy winter tires with studs, be sure to know which states allow their use, which prohibit it, and which have seasonal regulations for them.

Without going into too much detail, AL, TX, FL, MD, HI, IL, LA, MN, MS, and WI forbid stud use. CO, NH, KY, NC, NM, VT, and WY have no restrictions on their use. The other states have seasonal regulations for studded tires.

Look for the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol

You are looking to buy snow tires, but are not sure how to go about finding them? How do you know which tires are for winter?

Tire brands have created a neat symbol that will give you everything you need to know. It is called the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol. As long as you see this snowflake on tire sets, they are snow-rated models as it indicates their ability to conquer winter weather conditions.

So, what are snow tires? Basically, any tire that features the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol on the sidewall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Use Winter Tires All Year?

No, using snow tires year-round will significantly shorten their service life. Winter tires are manufactured using softer compounds that do not freeze in below 45°F. However, these compounds wear away quickly in warmer temperatures. For this reason, using winter tires all year is not possible.

Are All Season Tires Good in Snow?

While some all season tires are able to perform well in colder temperatures, they will not be able to conquer all winter surfaces. All season tires in snow do not have the necessary traction to ensure a secure performance. Swapping tires for snow models are recommended.

When to Put on Winter Tires?

Most state laws govern when to switch to winter tires. But generally speaking, swapping seasonal tires should happen when temperatures from below 45°F. Below this temperature, summer and all season tire sets will not be able to provide the needed traction and snow-rated tires for winter are needed.

Are All Weather Tires Good for Snow?

True all weather tires are able to handle any weather condition, including snow and ice. These are a hybrid category, as they combine all season tires and winter tires, to get the best tires for snow and ice, without premature wear in warmer temperatures. An all weather tire set will feature the 3PMS symbol.