Make The Right Choice For Winter Tires This Season

What Are The Differences Among Winter Tires?

Mid-fall is the time to have winter tires put on your vehicle. Study after study has conclusively proved that purpose-built winter tires provide better traction and make winter driving safer. Still, simply asking for new winter tires isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. So, what are the differences among winter tires? Basically, it comes down to the purpose a customer needs the tires to serve. We asked a few of our expert service technicians to outline the salient points. Let’s take a look at what they came up with.

READ MORE: Downtown Tyee Tire FAQs

Studless Ice & Snow Tires

Most passenger vehicles (sedans, crossover SUVs, compact pickup trucks) will do great with a good set of studless ice and snow tires. These are the most common type of winter season tires and they are defined by their unique rubber formula that allows the material to stay soft and pliable in subfreezing temperatures. Other notable features include:

• Deep, aggressive tread patterns
• Designed to offer wide and stable footprint
• Perfect for highway and urban driving

Studded Winter Tires

Like the name implies, studded tires have metal studs embedded in the tread for maximum bite on ice. This kind of winter tire is often prohibited from being used on city streets because of the potential for damage to the road surface. Studded winter tires are really only a viable option for people routinely driving on glare ice-covered roads in mountainous areas. Consult local regulations before equipping studded tires.

High-Performance Winter Tires

People who drive high-performance platforms in the spring, summer or fall might not want to put them away in the winter. A few high-end tire manufacturers do produce high-performance winter tires that are designed to provide better handling on cold, wet or light snow-covered roads. The tread pattern is less aggressive than all-season tires, but the rubber is still designed to be softer in winter conditions. 

Make an appointment with the Downtown Tyee Service Department to have your winter tires installed today.