If you live in a place where a few inches of snow is considered “light snowfall”, you should consider buying snow tires for your vehicle. Below, you will learn more about these specialized tires and why they should have a place on your vehicle.
Why Do I Need Snow Tires?
If you drive an all-wheel-drive vehicle, you probably think you do not need these tires–or you think that your all-season tires have done the job well enough. Perhaps you believe that your car’s stability control system will keep you on the road during snowy, slick conditions.
If you regularly drive in winter weather, your Tire Dealers Paramus NJ can benefit from the installation of snow tires. Hudson Tire Exchange will tell you that they are completely different from the all-season tires most cars have when they come off the assembly line. Snow tires are specially designed for winter driving, without any of the concessions made when designing all-season tires.
Snow Tires are Designed Differently
Most winter tires are made of rubber compounds that retain flexibility in temperatures below freezing. This property is important because the tire’s rubber must flex and move for the tread to clear snow, slush, water and ice from the road, and maintain traction. The highly specialized rubber compound is found only in all-season and winter tires.
Tread design on a snow tire is different from that of an all-season tire, making them more convenient because they are self-cleaning. Snow tires channel water away from the part of the tire that meets the road, and they also get good traction on ice. Snow tire tread moves as the tire moves down the road because of the flexible rubber used in construction.
Do I Need Snow Tires All Around?
This is a commonly-asked question among drivers, and the answer is a resounding yes. You should have snow tires on all four wheels to maintain traction. If snow tires are only on the front of the vehicle, the rear will wash out–not good on a slick road. If the snow tires are only on the rear, the front of the car will slide when you want it to turn.
Snow tires may seem expensive, but their additional properties make them a worthwhile investment for drivers who live in wintry areas. If you need snow tires, call one of the Tire Dealers in Paramus NJ today.