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Frequently Asked Questions About Winter Tires

Marple Friends & Neighbors, January 2022

What are winter tires?
Winter or snow tires are a type of specialty tire that are designed to give your vehicle the best possible traction (grip of the road) in cold weather, below 45°. They are made with a tread compound that remains more flexible at these colder temperatures, and are designed with deeper grooves and sharper, more irregular edges, to do a better job in snow, slush, ice, and cold wet roads.

Why do people switch from all-season to winter tires?
Drivers switch to winter tires to be better prepared for whatever weather the winter brings. Drivers consider the forecasted weather for the season and what kind of driving they’ll be doing (e.g., rural vs city). Much of their decision to switch is rooted in their personal risk tolerance and budget.

To assess cost, some drivers compare the cost of winter tires with the cost of their insurance deductible. If they get into an accident that could have been avoided with winter tires, then the extra cost would have been justified. They may also consider the total lifetime cost of one set versus two. Not only would owning a second set lengthen the life of their all-season tires by displacing miles, but they avoid prematurely wearing them down from using them in conditions they weren’t designed for.

What does it cost to have winter tires installed?
Depending on the tire, you could spend a couple hundred dollars or more.

A Money-Saving Tip
Some drivers invest in both tires and wheels! Of course, this is more of an upfront cost, but on a recurring basis (over the 5 –10 years you have the tires), it’s an inexpensive alternative to mounting and unmounting winter tires every season.

Are winter tires worth it on All-Wheel Drive (AWD) vehicles?
In normal driving conditions, AWD vehicles send 80–100% of the vehicle’s power to either the front or rear axle. But in slippery conditions, the system will automatically direct power to the wheels with the best traction — keyword: traction! Compared to all-season tires, winter tires can provide 25–50% more traction!

How can you tell it’s time for winter tires?
Once the weather starts consistently dipping below 45°, it’s time. Within the Marple-Newtown area, most people install as early as late-October and then reinstall their all-seasons by late-March.