The leaves are changing, and temperatures are getting cooler. It’s time to swap out those shorts and T-shirts for jeans and comfy sweaters. It’s also time to get your car ready for winter, and that includes making sure you have the right tires for the winter months.
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If you’re rolling on all-season tires, then you might think this advice doesn’t apply to you. After all, it’s right there in the name. They should be good for all seasons, right? Yes, you can use all-season tires in the winter, but they’re not the best tools for the job. Here are 10 things you need to know about winter tires.
You might not think you need winter tires, and you might not want to bother with the hassle of swapping out your tires, but the law may have other ideas. Depending on where you live, you may be required to use a set of winter tires during certain months of the year.
States like Colorado, Washington and Oregon mandate winter tires in mountain areas, and Quebec, Canada, requires them everywhere during the winter months. If you live in a location with heavy snow and rugged terrain, be sure to check the local laws to see if you’re required to have winter tires on your vehicle.
It’s not just people who live way up north who should consider purchasing a set of winter tires. It’s not even just the folks who live where there is lots of snow. If you live where the weather gets cold, then you need to think about winter tires.
The general rule of thumb is that winter tires are called for when temperatures regularly dip below 40 degrees. This area includes many of the northeastern and north-central states, including some that don’t see as much snow. Virginia, Tennessee and even certain areas in Arizona and New Mexico get cold enough for winter tires.
There was a time when everyone swapped from summer tires to winter tires with the seasons. It was in the late s when all-season tires were introduced, giving everyone the chance to keep the same tires on their cars all year long. It’s more convenient and eliminates the need to store a set of tires that’s not in use, but all-season tires aren’t the best solution for winter driving.
The tread pattern on an all-season tire is not as aggressive as a winter tire and the rubber compound isn’t as good in cold temperatures. All-season tires are designed to be the happy medium, which means they work during winter months, but not as well as tires designed specifically for cold weather.
If you live where the snow flies, then there’s a good chance you have a car with all-wheel or four-wheel drive. That’s great, but who hasn’t been passed by an SUV confidently cruising down the highway — only to find that same SUV in a snowbank a few miles later? All-wheel drive is great for getting you moving, but it’s not as good at slowing a car down and bringing it to a controlled stop.
Even if you have all-wheel drive, you can benefit from adding a set of winter tires to your vehicle. They provide the extra traction needed to bring your car to a stop without sliding and they improve control during emergency maneuvers.
Tire treads are a big enough safety issue that they check them every time your car is inspected and will fail your whole vehicle if the tread falls below 2/32 inch in depth. A lack of sufficient tread means poor traction, which is an even bigger issue when the roads are snowy.
The tread pattern on a winter tire is specifically designed to handle wet and snowy roads. It has a combination of narrow grooves to manage water and larger grooves that collect snow and help stick your tires to the road. Think about how you pack a snowball. Snow likes to stick to snow, and tires with snow in those wider grooves like to stick to a snowy road.
The rubber compound in your tire is a lot like your favorite candy bar. Leave that candy bar on the front seat in the summer and it melts, but put it in the freezer and it gets hard and even brittle. The rubber compounds used to make tires are a lot like that candy bar.
In cold weather, an all-season tire gets stiff and inflexible, which means it’s not sticking to the road as well as usual. A winter tire is made with rubber designed specifically for colder temperatures, so it maintains its flexibility and helps you stay in control.
Money is a big factor when it comes to the deciding to buy winter tires. There’s the cost of buying them in the and the cost of having them swapped twice a year. Although there is an extra expense associated with winter tires, they could still end up saving you money in the long run.
Since winter tires are designed to give you better traction during cold weather, you’re less likely to end up on the side of the road in a ditch. You’re also less likely to be involved in an accident. Spending extra on winter tires today could save you the headache and cost of repairing damage later.
Winter tires from every brand feature the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol on the sidewall. This symbol, also referred to as 3PMSF, lets you know a tire meets U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association standards for winter performance.
You can do research online to see which winter tires will fit your specific car. It can be confusing to make the final decision, so don’t be afraid to call and ask questions. People who sell tires are trained in the differences between them and can help you make the best choice for your vehicle and how you drive.
Years ago, winter tires had little metal studs embedded into the tire treads. The idea behind them is to increase traction, but modern winter tires don’t need studs. Advancements in rubber compounds and tread pattern technology make them unnecessary for most people. The exception is in severe weather, where some drivers prefer studded winter tires.
But depending on where you live, studs may be illegal. They cause damage to the roads when there’s no snow, so many states have either banned them or limited their use. They’re also very noisy and reduce wet-weather traction. If you’re considering studded winter tires, check your local laws first.
You can buy tire winter tires by themselves or you can choose tire packages that include those tires already mounted on rims. The latter is more expensive upfront, but there are good reasons to consider this route. If you have high-end or specialty rims on your car, then using a less expensive set of rims for the winter keeps the good ones safe during harsh weather.
You can also save money over the long term when you buy tire and rim package. First, it reduces the wear on your tires from taking them on and off a single set of rims. Second, swapping tires becomes a job you can do yourself when both sets have their own rims.
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The speed rating of a tire indicates the speed category (or range of speeds) at which the tire can carry a load under specified service conditions. The speed rating system used today was developed in Europe in response to the need to control the safe performance of tires at standardized speeds. A letter from A to Z symbolizes a tire's certified speed rating, ranging from 5 km/h (3mph) to above 300 km/h (186 mph). This rating system, listed below, describes the top speed for which a tire is certified. It does not indicate the total performance capability of a tire.
When this speed rating system was originally developed, the Unlimited V category of over 210 km/h (130 mph) was the top speed rating a tire could achieve.
SPEED RATING Speed Symbol Speed (km/h) Speed (mph) A1 5 3 A2 10 6 A3 15 9 A4 20 12 A5 25 16 A6 30 19 A8 40 25 B 50 31 C 60 37 D 65 40 E 70 43 F 80 50 G 90 56 J 100 62 K 110 68 L 120 75 M 130 81 N 140 87 P 150 94 Q 160 100 R 170 106 S 180 112 T 190 118 U 200 124 H 210 130 V 240 149 W 270 168 Y 300 186As manufacturers made more tires that did not fit this category, it was necessary to better regulate performance at standardized speeds to ensure safety. The Limited V category of 250 km/h (149 mph) was then created, and the Z speed rating was added as the top speed rating that a tire could achieve. W and Y limited speed symbols have been added as higher speed categories.
Always consult the manufacturer for the maximum speed of Unlimited Z tires. Speed rating is identified as a part of the tire's sizing or service description.
In the latest attempt to standardize tire designations, all ratings except Unlimited ZR incorporate the speed symbol and load index as the tire's service description. For example:
205/60R15 91V 205 = Section Width in Millimeters 60 = Aspect Ratio R = Radial Construction 15 = Rim Diameter in Inches 91 = Load Index (ServiceWhen "ZR" appears in the size designation with the service description, the maximum speed is as indicated by the service description:
EXAMPLES Tire Designation Maximum Speed P275/40ZR17 93W 270 km/h (168 mph) P275/40ZR17 93Y 300 km/h (186 mph)For tires having a maximum speed capability above 240 km/h (149 mph), a "ZR" may appear in the size designation. For tires having a maximum speed capability above 300 km/h (186 mph), a "ZR" must appear in the size designation. Consult the tire manufacturer for maximum speed when there is no service description.
UTQG is intended to provide simple, comparative data for your use in making an informed buying decision. However, the ratings are based upon test results achieved under very specific conditions. As a result, misinterpreting the comparative data as it relates specifically to your particular driving habits, conditions, etc., is a possibility. UTQG designates the comparative performance levels of a tire based upon government-specified tests. Tire manufacturers and brand name owners are required to grade regular and all-season tires in three categories: Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.
The treadwear grade is a comparative grade assigned by the manufacturer based on the wear rate of a tire when tested under controlled conditions on a course that meets government-specified requirements. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half (1 1/2) times as well as a tire graded 100 under the controlled test conditions. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in road characteristics.
The traction grade is based on wet skid tests of a tire on government-specified concrete and asphalt surfaces. The traction grade is based on a straight-ahead wet braking traction test and does not include a cornering traction test. The comparative tire grade letters, AA, A, B, and C (AA being the highest and C being the lowest) represent the tire's ability to stop the vehicle on wet pavement under the controlled test conditions. Ice and snow traction capabilities are not tested.
Warning:
The temperature grade is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, under inflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
A tire with the ratings of TREADWEAR 80, TRACTION B, TEMPERATURE C, is interpreted by the manufacturer as having:
A tire with same brand name and same construction type with ratings of TREADWEAR 160, TRACTION A, TEMPERATURE B, compares to the tire in example #1 as follows:
Keep in mind that comparing the performance of various tires is too complex to be based exclusively on UTQG grades.
We only repair tires in accordance with the RMA (Rubber Manufacturers Association) recommended procedures. Some punctures cannot be seen with the naked eye and other measures are taken to find such punctures (soapy water and tire water tubs).
No tire, regardless of its design or quality, is indestructible. RFT tires can be ultimately rendered unusable due to a puncture or other road hazard as well as from improper run-flat or low pressure operation. Some punctures may be repaired under certain circumstances, with restrictions and subject to prescribed procedures.
When driven flat or with low pressure, factors affecting reparability include vehicle speed, load, handling and maneuvering; the amount of inflation pressure lost; and ambient temperature. In any situation, the extent and location of direct damage from a puncturing object or other road hazard are also critical factors.
RFT tires are not repairable in any of the following situations:
Run-Flat Certified Retailers will fully inspect your tire, inside and out, to determine if the tire can be repaired. Tire damage is not always visible from the outside and the tire must be removed from the wheel for a complete inspection.
Note: Some vehicle manufacturers recommend not using repaired tires. Such recommendations apply to RFT tires. Use of RFT tires deemed non-repairable may result in damage to the vehicle, injury, or death. Consult your vehicle owner's manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer before operating a repaired tire on your vehicle.
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