What makes a tire a winter tire anyway?
A winter tire is a tire you run in the winter, right? Yes, but there are actually certain characteristics that qualify a tire as a winter tire. In regions with significant winter weather, a driver will see snow, ice, sleet, rain, and freezing temperatures. In these conditions, a normal tire may find it difficult to provide enough traction to keep you moving forward and on the road. Historically, tire manufacturers have tried to answer this dilemma with an “all-season” or “all-terrain” tire. They definitely perform better than a typical road tire in the winter; however they are designed to meet a variety of terrains, weather conditions, and temperatures, so they cannot be designed for the “best” performance in all seasons and conditions. Today, advances in tire technology have produced some specialized winter tires that have greatly increased siping, directional tread design, integrated holes for stud placement, and a rubber compound specifically designed to remain supple in frigid temperatures.
Do I need a specialized winter tire?
To answer this question, you will need to consider the region where you live and travel. If you live in a climate where snow, sleet and ice are rare occurrences, it might not be worth the investment. If you live in a region where the winter season is long and the weather is drastic, you may consider this a good investment for your safety. Roadways that experience drastic winter weather along with steep grades may sometimes require chains or even studs in the tires. On the other hand, there are regions where chains and studs are illegal on the roads. Since winter tires are often used in that season primarily and changed out after the season, you will also need to consider the cost of an additional set of wheels and tires along with the required storage space.
How to increase traction with or without winter tires
For years, we have used certain tricks to increase our traction in the snowy season. Lowering the tire pressure of any tire will increase the surface area in contact with the road. Adding weight to trunks and truck beds will increase the weight over the wheels increasing traction, especially if those tires are at the drive wheels. Just about any all-terrain (AT) tire will still outperform a standard road tire in the winter season. Keep in mind that it is almost impossible to get significant traction on ice without chains or studs, and it is imperative to increase your braking distance.