Winter Tires, All-Season Tires, or All Weather Tires?
Here in the heart of Southeast Georgia, it is easy to understand why drivers might be unsure of the best type of tire to purchase. There are benefits to the various types of tires, and each is designed and constructed to serve a specific purpose. In order for your car to operate at its best it will need the proper tires. To make your selection, you should know the essentials of each tire’s construction and purpose.
Winter tires
Although our winter weather is milder than some, we still have long periods of wet, cold weather. Days or weeks of temperatures lower than 45 degrees will cause the rubber compound that makes up regular tires to become hard and inflexible.That means they don’t provide the best road grip you need to be safe for winter driving in snow and ice. Modern winter tires are built for just such weather and do a terrific job in a wide range of winter conditions.
In addition, they are specifically designed with deeper tread depth and special tread patterns with biting edges that more effectively move snow and water. Constructed using a micro-pore compound, they are able to bite into ice and snow for increased traction.
Winter tires are also constructed with wide lugs and grooves that throw icy water or packed snow out of the tread as the tire turns. This clears out the tread so that the sipes, tiny slits in the tread, have better grip when it hits whatever surface you are moving across.
The downside to winter tires is the softer rubber used to keep them flexible in cold temperatures. This softer rubber means the tread can wear more quickly than other tire designs.
In addition, they are specifically designed with deeper tread depth and special tread patterns with biting edges that more effectively move snow and water. Constructed using a micro-pore compound, they are able to bite into ice and snow for increased traction.
Winter tires are also constructed with wide lugs and grooves that throw icy water or packed snow out of the tread as the tire turns. This clears out the tread so that the sipes, tiny slits in the tread, have better grip when it hits whatever surface you are moving across.
The downside to winter tires is the softer rubber used to keep them flexible in cold temperatures. This softer rubber means the tread can wear more quickly than other tire designs.
All Season Tires
This leads us to all season tires. These hearty, long-wearing tires are the standard for most folks who live in milder to hot climates. They are constructed of a much harder material that enables them to withstand the hot asphalt of a southern summer. All-season tires are designed with rubber and tread composition to make these tires excellent for high temperatures and wet roads, but they just can’t handle the cold, ice, and snow of winter well.
Of course, if you live in an area where temperatures rarely dip below 45 degrees, but you’d prefer a little extra safety, you can buy all season tires with the M+S (mud and snow) rating. These provide deeper tread that is designed to expel light snow and mud for better grip on the road.
All Weather Tires
Possibly the best of both worlds is the all weather tire. These tires were designed by manufacturers in Europe where swapping out your regular tires for winter tires has been compulsory for a very long time. The manufacturers sought to find a way to eliminate the need for buying new tires every winter and spring
The resulting tire is good in the warmer weather like the all-season tire, yet safe for driving in winter road conditions.
Of course, the all weather tire is not rated to the same winter standard that winter tires are, but for those whose winters are milder with only light snow, they can provide extra security on the road throughout the year. However, as with winter tires, the all weather tires can wear out more quickly.
Which Is Right For Me?
With all of this information in hand, you may be feeling confident about choosing the right type of tire for your vehicle. If so, that’s excellent. However, if you are still unsure, there is no need to stress over the decision. After you have read and done all the research you can, if you are still finding it challenging to decide on a set of tires, we can help.
Our experts are always happy to help customers make the best choices for their vehicles. Whether it’s which tires, what oil, or deciding whether a part needs to be replaced this month or next, we are here to help. You can depend on us for car repair done right the first time.
D & R Car Care is Statesboro’s Tire Shop
We have been helping customers with choices just like this since 2000. Since then, we have continued to offer full service auto repair for Statesboro and the surrounding area including Georgia Southern, Ogeechee Tech, East Georgia.
Our customers come back again and again because they know we will give them the best service and products with exceptional extras like a free alignment check with any set of 4 tires and 24/24 roadside assistance for customers who receive $25 or more in service.
If you’d like to know more about what types of tires are best for you and your vehicle, give us a call, or request a tire quote online.
