Do Winter Tires Make a Difference?

The short answer is yes. If you live in Freehold, NJ during the winter time, winter tires will definitely affect the way your vehicle operates on icy or snowy roads.

First, it's important to understand the difference between winter tires and all-season tires. All-season tires often come standard on new vehicles. Despite their name, these tires do not offer the same capability for snowy conditions as genuine winter/snow tires.

Actual snow tires will display a logo or certification mark verifying the fact that they meet the various conditions required for a certain degree of traction, performance and braking power in the snow. The logo is a simple illustration of a mountain range with a snowflake drawn inside.To purchase tires in Freehold, see our tire page.

One of the key ways winter tires are different is the constitution of their rubber. These tires are made of softer rubber which naturally hardens in cold weather. This means they harden to the extent that they are safer and more effective. They also feature wider treads so that they can take in and eject more snow and ice which the tire picks up.

Snow tires are a valuable way to assure the safest possible winter driving. You should expect to pay a little over a hundred dollars for each standard winter tire. However, if you rotate them seasonally as is recommended, you should be able to get four or five years out of the entire set - making it a truly valuable investment.

When you're looking for great snow tires, you should look at the warranty before you make the purchase. While most winter tires don't carry a warranty regarding their tread, the good ones do carry around a five-year warranty against defects.

While you may be tempted to save cash by buying just one or two snow tires, this is widely advised against in the automotive world. When two wheels are working differently than the others, this creates a discord between the motion and physics of your car.

Another good way to save is to install a wheel package that your service center offers. This means, your snow tires will be mounted to their own wheels, and you won't have to re-mount your tires onto existing rims every time you make the change, which may save you on installations.

Lastly, if you live in Freehold, you might want to consider spikes or studs. These small additions to your winter tires can assure the highest level of traction possible for maximum safety in extreme conditions.

As always, check your owner's manual for any information regarding which winter tires are correct for your car. And be safe out there!  For tire services in Freehold, NJ, contact the team at Freehold Subaru by scheduling an appointment with our Service Department.