Buying Snow Tires

Snow, Ice, and winter chill will be here in full force before you know it. Driving in snow is nothing new to most Pennsylvania residents but driving safely in winter conditions may take a bit of preparation. To ensure your vehicle is winter-ready, start with checking out your snow tires.

Some might tend to turn a blind eye to the importance of changing tires for winter given that it’s not the most convenient modification to make on your vehicle. But what you stand to get back from the process far outweighs what you put in – most importantly peace of mind, safety, and an extension of your tires’ lifespan.

How to Find the Best Snow Tires

As with everything else related to your vehicle, it is important to conduct the requisite research before taking action. Snow tires, or winter tires, are not all made equally. Always consult your vehicle’s manual and tire specifications to know exactly what size or tire type you need.

If you live in a place with winter weather, you’ll need tires marked with the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMS) for safest handling. This symbol, which branded on a tire's sidewall, indicates the tire meets required performance criteria in snow testing to be considered severe snow service rated. Not all tires with a mountain snowflake have a winter compound, so be sure to ask your tire dealer what you really need. Experts are always there to steer you in the right direction toward finding the safest tires for your vehicle.

Snow Tires vs. All Season Tires

Don’t let the name fool you. “All Season” tires might sound like the one-size fit for driving all year round, but that is not the case. Some all-season tires are marketed as working equally well in summer and winter. That may be true in dry, mild climates where the seasons don’t vary much, but in harsher winter climates these tires may not always cut the muster.

Most winter tires outperform all-season tires in snow, rain, and ice. They have a more aggressive tread pattern and are made from a softer rubber compound. The softer compound allows the tread to squash around the snow, compact it, and then toss it out as the tire rotates.

Studded vs. Studless Snow Tires

Studded tires are a potential winter option for your vehicle. These are winter tires that have metal studs embedded within the tread, and physically dig into ice and give better traction. The problem is that they also dig into pavement and damage road surfaces. That’s why some states only allow them only during certain months of the year and others ban them altogether. In Pennsylvania, studded tires are currently allowed for road use from November 1 to April 15, so long as they have a stud that does not exceed 2/32 inch beyond the tread.

Studless tires are best for when winter is at its worst. These tires have maximum snow and ice traction and are made from a special type of winter compound that provides traction on whatever the texture of the road surface might be. They are designed to grip both the snow and the thin layer of water that usually accumulates beneath your tires.

But which one works best? Well that depends on your overall driving habits or needs.

If you’re someone who is required to drive every day, then you’re probably better off with a studless winter tire, the more aggressive of the two. If you travel on mountain passes, hard packed snow, and consistently ice-covered roads, studded tires may give you more control.

If you tend to drive when the roads are more or less clear and dry, then a performance winter tire will treat you just fine.

How Much Do Snow Tires Cost?

Sometimes it can seem expensive to switch out snow tires and seasonal tires, especially if you are short on storage space. However, switching your tires for the season is incredibly smart for your tires’ life cycles.

Mounting winter tires on a second set of wheels saves money over swapping tires on a single set of wheels. Winter tires last about five years or 35,000 miles. Those are miles you won’t be putting on your all-season tires.

Typical costs could be:

$60-$550 each for studless snow tires that have biting edges and are made with a soft rubber compound that remains flexible in cold weather.

Studded tires, on the other hand, typically cost $75-$600 or more each.