Winter Tires Vs. All-Season Tires: What's the Difference?

WESTLAND, Mich.––The snow and ice are coming because it is indeed winter in Michigan! When the winter weather arrives, we all run around to prepare our houses and cars for the next few months. One of the easiest ways to prepare your car and stay safe on the road in the crummy cold weather is having winter tires or snow tires put on your car. Some may think it's a better option to simply have all-season tires all year to avoid the hassle of tire service, while others deem it necessary to have winter tires during the cold months. We're here to evaluate winter tires vs. all-season tires to give you a better idea of what to do this winter!

WINTER TIRES

-Made of a softer rubber compound that can wear quickly in warm temperatures 

-Has wider, symmetric tread designs to allow room for slush, packed snow, ice, etc.

-Tread is typically more aggressive for stronger grip on edges

-GREAT for environments where the temperature goes below 45 degrees often

-NOT great for use year-round (it can actually cost you more if you use them all year)

ALL-SEASON TIRES

-Made of a tougher rubber compound that can harden in low temps, equaling less traction

-Has tighter tread designs, lacking room for packed snow and slush

-Has asymmetrical tread to handle wet and dry pavement

-Can handle a variety of road conditions (dry, wet, and light snow)

-GREAT for environments where the winter is mild

-NOT great for places where snow is heavy and temperatures are cold 

"But what if I have AWD or 4WD?" 

This is something you might be thinking about when going to purchase tires. Although these drivetrains are helpful in providing more traction generally, they lack in providing extra traction in icy and snowy conditions, especially in braking situations. Tested side-by-side by consumerreports.org, a sedan with winter tires and a AWD utility vehicle with winter tires use about the same braking distance in snowy conditions. 

If you decide you would like a set of winter tires to replace your all-season, or vice versa, we'd love to help you do so. At North Brothers, you can take advantage of our 30-day low-price tire guarantee, so you can be sure you're getting the lowest price on tires from 13 major brands! Plus, we'll professionally install them for you. You can find and get a quote for new tires and schedule an appointment online to have them installed. If you already have a set of winter tires sitting in your garage and want them swapped, we can take care of that too. We know the winter tires vs. all-season tires decision can be tough, but we're here to help. Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions. 

North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185 and proudly serves as one of the premier dealerships in Metro Detroit, and is committed to exceptional customer service! Stop by or give us a call at 855-739-2023, our knowledgeable and helpful sales team will be more than happy to assist you!

Visit our website: www.northbrothersford.net

Follow us on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and Google+