Fall is Here! Snow Tires & What Every Michigan Driver Should Know
Posted Sep, 16, 2011
The temperature outside is turning, and while most of us may be thinking about enjoying fall colors and picking out Halloween costumes, winter is just around the corner! As most of us know, winter in Michigan can be just as treacherous as it is beautiful. Dealing with snow and ice is especially a challenge for drivers and commuters, but there are a number of precautions drivers can take to make sure their wintertime driving is as safe as possible.
The first – and most important – of those precautions is to use snow tires! Different from summer and all weather tires, snow tires provide extra soft, sticky grip for icy and snowy roads during winter. They’re a must-have for every Michigan vehicle. How would you like to have the same confidence driving on snow and ice as you have driving in rain in your all weather tires?
Even a rear wheel drive car with 350hp can be sure footed in snow and ice, with the help of quality snow tires. Snow tires give drivers the traction – and confidence – to no longer have white knuckles when using the passing lane on bad roads, and to lead those 20 car chains on the ice-laden freeway rather than following.
As you check off your fall list, make sure you include readying your vehicle for winter with adequate snow tires. Have questions about snow tires? We’ve answered some common questions below; you can also stop by the shop and speak with one of our technicians. In addition to helping you pick out winter tires, we will store your summer tires for free during the winter, and likewise your snow tires in the summer, so you don’t have to lug them home and store them in your garage.
When should I have snow tires put on?
Ideally, before the first winter storm hits. Because Michigan weather isn’t always predictable, we recommend getting your vehicle ready with the right tires in late fall, early to mid November, at the latest. Try to avoid putting snow tires on too early, however, as driving on dry pavement will wear out snow tires’ traction much more quickly.
Do I really need snow tires, or are all weather tires okay to use?
No, when it comes to giving you the starting (and, more importantly – stopping) traction you need, all weather tires (AWT) just don’t cut it. All weather tires are great for rain and shine during the other three seasons, but your vehicle needs the grip of snow tires to perform safely on snow and ice.
My vehicle already has AWD. Do I really need snow tires too?
Yes, you really do. All-Wheel drive might be enough to get you going through slushy snow and black ice, but they won’t help you stop when it matters. Being able to stop quickly enough is critical in many winter driving situations, and the ten to thirty extra feet it takes you to stop without snow tires could mean the difference between a close call and a fatal accident. Here at the shop, we even put snow tires on our customer shuttle, in order to provide our customers the safest ride to and from work or home when their car is in the shop.
My vehicle is front/rear wheel drive. Is it okay to only use two snow tires?
Nope, it’s not. Having snow tires only on the tires which power your vehicle will give it imbalanced traction, and won’t provide the kind of stopping and starting power that having four balanced snow tires will. The stopping power and traction of a vehicle with only two snow tires is barely better than a vehicle with no snow tires at all – so double your investment and quadruple your safety.
Even classic, sports and performance cars can be driven in the winter, with the help of quality snow tires. Drive your “cool” car in the winter when everyone else puts theirs away!
How often do I have to buy new snow tires?
If they’re not too worn down, snow tires can often be re-used for a second, and sometimes even third winter season. Use our general rule of thumb on tire tread depth to tell if your snow tires have enough tread yet, but remember that the more worn your snow tires are, the less stopping power they’ll provide. If you’re at all unsure about whether or not your snow tires are still good, have one of our technicians look them over before they’re installed, and we’ll give you our honest opinion. Remember: your summer tires will last longer if you switch to snow tires during the winter.
What brand of snow tire is best?
We carry plenty of great snow tire brands which offer a wide price range, but what’s most important is to have tires that are made specifically for snow, and for your vehicle. Not all snow tires are the same; the sticky compound in some tires is only 3/32 deep, while other manufactures mold the sticky compound through the complete tread-depth. If you make an appointment with one of our tire specialists, we can show you our inventory of Hankook, Cooper, Nokian, Michelin and other snow tires and help you choose which brand and type offer the best value for your vehicle. Our tire knowledgeable service advisors can educate you on the different brands and what they offer.
