Do Snow Tires Really Make a Difference in Winter Driving?

Never underestimate the importance of your tires. They’re essential for your vehicle’s safety, support, and control, playing a critical role in its overall performance. The right care and maintenance, like tire rotations, balancing, and alignment, are essential—but it’s just as important to understand the different types of tires and when to use them.

Snow tires, for example, are a popular choice for winter conditions for many of our shops in the Midwest but really shouldn’t be used year-round. Knowing when to switch to snow tires and understanding their benefits can help keep you safe on the road during those rough weather winter months.

For all your tire needs, including guidance on which tires are right for your vehicle and driving habits, contact your neighborhood GreatWater-affiliated shop today.

What are Snow Tires?

Snow tires are exactly what they sound like - they're tires that are designed to perform well in snowy and icy conditions. Also known as "winter tires," snow tires are made via a soft rubber compound that remains flexible in cold temperatures and snowy conditions, allowing the tire to grip the road better than an all-season tire when conditions get more challenging.

Another unique feature of snow tires is their tread design. They feature deep grooves and sharper edges that are designed to "bite" into the snow and ice to help maintain traction and optimize steering.

Snow/Winter Tires vs All-Season Tires

The key difference between snow tires and all-season tires lies in their design and purpose. Snow tires are specifically engineered to deliver maximum traction in cold, icy, and snowy conditions. They’re made from a softer rubber compound that remains flexible in low temperatures, allowing them to grip the road more effectively.

In contrast, all-season tires are designed as a versatile option, offering reliable performance across a range of driving environments. Constructed from a harder rubber compound, they balance durability with flexibility and feature tread patterns optimized for both wet and dry conditions. While all-season tires perform well in mild climates, they can’t match the specialized traction and safety of snow tires during severe winter weather.

Should I Invest in Winter Tires?

If you live in an area that experiences four to six months of winter weather or where temperatures consistently dip below 45 degrees Fahrenheit for several months, like most of the shops in our network, it may make sense to invest in snow tires. Snow tires can help you drive safer during the winter months and prevent wear and tear on your all-season tires. It's just important to ensure you change them once temperatures consistently exceed 45 degrees because the tread will wear quicker on these specialized tires.

Benefits of Snow Tires in Winter

Snow tires offer several advantages during the winter driving months. These include:

Better Braking

Winter tires can reduce stopping distance by up to 30 percent compared to all-season tires. This can come in especially handy for emergency-stopping situations and help prevent accidents that otherwise may have occurred. The secret to better braking is the soft rubber that snow tires are made from, which helps improve traction.

Durable in Cold Weather

Yes, snow tires remain durable in cold weather largely thanks to the soft rubber compound that they're made from. This helps these tires remain flexible in cold, harsh  conditions.

Greater Ice and Snow Traction

While the soft rubber that snow tires are made from can help create more traction between the tire and the road, part of the secret to enhanced traction is in the tread pattern of the snow tire. The deep grooves and sharper edges are designed to "bite" into the snow and ice to help maintain traction. Some snow tires even come studded to further enhance grip on the road and enhance traction in extreme winter conditions.

Improves Cornering

Cornering is another key benefit associated with snow tires. Again, it's the deep tread grooves and soft rubber that are largely responsible for this. These features help snow tires increase traction, which helps with turns.

Can I Use Winter Tires All Year?

Many drivers wonder if they can use snow tires year-round. The answer is "no." Even our most northern shops experience summer weather! 

You don't want to use snow tires year-round because they're purposefully designed for winter driving conditions. The softer, more flexible rubber that snow tires are made from is going to grip the pavement more tightly and wear down faster if you're driving on them in the spring and summer during dry conditions. You'll also notice the difference in fuel economy if you drive snow tires during warmer months.

There's also a safety aspect to driving on snow tires in the summer. Just as it's safer to use snow tires during the winter months, they can lead to vehicle instability in non-winter conditions.

Bottom line: If you live in an area where snow tires help during the cold-weather months, you want to be sure to have them changed out for all-season tires once the weather breaks for the year. You should put the snow tires on your vehicle when the temperature consistently drops below 45 degrees Fahrenheit and remove them for all-season tires when temperatures regularly exceed 45 degrees.

We Offer Professional Snow Tire Installation

For all things tires, including reliable snow tire installation and professional service, trust your neighborhood shop in the GreatWater network to keep you safe on the road this winter. Our expert advisors and technicians are here to help when it’s time to install your snow tires and again when it’s time to switch back to all-season tires. As a network of full-service auto repair and maintenance centers, we handle everything—from engines and transmissions to tires and brakes.

At your local GreatWater-affiliated shop, expert care isn’t the only thing we’re known for. Our commitment to transparency, honesty, and exceptional customer service sets us apart. We treat every vehicle as if it were our own, ensuring you drive away with confidence. Contact your local GreatWater-affiliated shop today to learn more and schedule your appointment.