Why You Should Buy Snow Tires Before the Snow Arrives

As fall descends upon us and temperatures start getting chillier, it’s time to look ahead and start preparing for winter. Soon you’ll be making plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas and pulling out all of your best sweaters and jackets. 

But with all that fun holiday cheer will come a lot of snow and ice. Driving conditions could change over night. That’s why it’s better to get a head start on preparing your car for the inclimate weather. Drivers should consider purchasing snow tires long before the first snowfall comes.

What are Snow Tires?

 

Snow tires are made for -- you guessed it -- driving in the snow. These are sometimes referred to as winter tires, but there are slight differences between them. While winter tires will help you navigate winter roads, snow tires are designed specifically for driving in on snow-covered roads.

 

Snow tires are manufactured with specific rubber compound and tread designs which help your car maintain grip on the roads. All-season tires can provide good traction in mild driving conditions, but they don’t stand up to the slippery conditions created by snow and ice. 

 

Some snow tires are studded, which provides them with a bit of extra grip. However, the noise accompanying the studs and the damage they can do to the roads make this a less than ideal option. Some states have even prohibited these entirely.

 

Studless tires have become a much more popular option. The design of this type of snow tire makes studs obsolete, as they can navigate icy roads just as well. This is by far the most common type of snow tire on the roads now.

 

Winter tires provide a slightly more versatile option for drivers. While these tires allow for better open road driving capabilities, they aren’t quite as good in icy and snowy conditions as snow tires can be. Winter tires are recommended for those who live in cold places that don’t necessarily get a lot of snow.

When Should I Buy Snow Tires?

 

The time to buy snow tires is right now. Unless you’re a meteorologist (and do they even get it right most of the time?), it’s safe to say that you don’t know when the first snowfall of the year is coming. Sure, it could hold off until December. Or we could see snow as soon as Halloween.

 

And even if you get a heads up a few days before the snow arrives, that doesn’t mean it will be quick and convenient to get snow tires for your car. Shops will be slammed with customers looking to get their tires changed out. This also means prices could be much higher and you could be stuck waiting long hours for a technician to see you.

 

Failing to prepare your car for the winter weather ahead of time could have wide repercussions. Without proper traction your commute times will be slower, which could mean missed appointments, kids arriving to school late or you arriving late to work. It also puts you and your family at risk of a serious accident.

Why Should I Buy Snow Tires?

 

It may be tempting to leave on the all season tires to save some money, but you might be costing yourself a lot more money down the line. Between the damage winter weather can do to all season tires and the risk of accident, the cost is well worth it.

 

All Season Tires in Snow - No!

While all season tires that are in good condition provide perfectly adequate grip for mild driving conditions, they just don’t offer the same traction as snow tires. The lack of proper traction means that the car can easily slip on the ice, especially in situations where the driver is breaking or rounding a corner. 

 

It can be tempting to leave your all season tires on all year round and resolve that you’ll just drive a little safer. But you never know when you’ll be met with an unplowed street or hidden black ice.

Car Accidents in Winter

According to the US Department of Transportation, 24% of all vehicular accidents happen during the winter months. And over 115,000 people annually are injured in car accidents involving ice or snow. 

 

Aside from how slippery the roads become in winter conditions, this weather can also cause reduced visibility, lower road capacity and slower driving speeds. All of these factors make accidents more likely. With proper tires, drivers can navigate these other driving dangers with more peace of mind.

Winter Driving Safety Tips

 

Even though snow tires are a smart investment and an excellent safety measure, they can only do so much. Winter driving conditions come with a whole host of inconveniences and potential dangers. We’ve got a few of our own tips on preparing your vehicle for winter driving.

 

Keep an Ice Scraper in Your Car

Without visibility, it won’t matter how high quality your tires are. Any blind spot can put you at risk for a serious accident. This is why it’s important to completely clear your windows and mirrors of snow and ice before you start driving.

 

Simply clearing the windshields is often not enough to ensure safe driving conditions. Your ice scraper should be long enough so that you can clear the roof of your car of snow as well. Snow left on the roof could slide onto your windshield and obstruct your view while you’re on the road. Or it could fly off of your car and onto the windshield of someone behind you, affecting their visibility.

Recognize and Avoid Black Ice

The name “black ice” is a bit of a misnomer. It’s not that the ice itself is black, but rather that it is so thin that you often can’t see it at all. It does often appear black, but that’s because you can see the color of the pavement underneath it.

 

Black ice most often forms where there is little sunlight. In the winter, it’s good to be cautious when driving on shaded roads or under overpasses. It’s also common on bridges, which freeze more quickly due to the underside of the roadway being exposed to the elements. 

 

While it’s not always possible to completely avoid black ice, you can help keep yourself safe by driving at reduced speeds in high risk areas. It’s also important to remember to never slam on your brakes if you encounter black ice. Steer away from the direction the car is sliding and softly pump the brakes to safely slow down.

Regularly Inspect Your Tires

It’s important to keep up with your tire health. And inclement weather can mean yours are wearing down faster. Be sure to frequently inspect the tread on your winter tires to ensure they’ll continue to perform well and keep you safe. Just because your snow tires have more serious tread doesn’t mean you can slack on checking!

For more tips on winter driving and a peek at our tire catalogue, visit our Highland Tire website. When it comes to purchasing and installing your snow tires, we’ve got you covered. Just be sure to come see us early this season so you can beat the crowds!