Everything You Need to Know About Winter Tires

The snow is going to start falling before you know it, so the time is now to get yourself a set of quality winter tires to keep your vehicle glued to the road.

Winter tires have come a long way over the last couple of decades, from being more like mud tires to becoming something highly specialized and exceptionally good at gripping in ice, snow, slush, and cold. At the same time, the best winter tires are even better than before at giving you improved fuel economy, less noise, and even high-performance dry weather handling. IF you pick the right tires that is.

Reliable Tire Service has created a guide on winter tires, giving you information to help you decide if you need winter tires this season.

What do Winter Tires do?

Winter tires have two main tasks: giving you traction on ice and snow and keeping their grip when the thermometer drops below 40 degrees.

Choosing the right winter tires (also known as snow tires) can be the difference between confident control and getting stuck on the side of the road. Choosing the right winter tire also depends on where you drive and what you drive.

How do Winter Tires Work?

Winter tires are designed to stay pliable in cold temperatures. The rubber compound in winter tires remains flexible in cold temperatures, enhancing traction and grip.

That means that their rubber will grip the pavement even when it's too cold to step outside.

For traction on snow and ice, the tires offer a complex series of tiny grooves, called sipes, and they give you most of your slippery road traction. The tread is designed to dig deep and grip the snow and ice while sipes move water and slush away from the tire.

The tread design and rubber compounds found in today's premium winter tires work together to keep you in control when facing winter covered roads.

Do Winter Tires need to be studded?

Winter tires are most often available without studs. Studless winter tires are designed to offer exceptional grip on snow and ice. But for added grip and control in the worst winter conditions, studded snow tires, or tires that allow for the additions of studs, can be a good choice.

What are studs? Studs are lightweight, small metal spikes that are staggered and inserted across the tread of a tire. These studs protrude slightly from the rubber surface, helping break through packed snow- and ice-covered roads to give you better traction.

Tires, including the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol on a tire's sidewall, mean the tire has been tested and proven to offer additional traction in snow, ice, and slush.

What is the difference between winter tires and snow tires?

There is no difference between snow and winter tires. Those are just two descriptions for the exact same tires.

Whether you use the word snow or winter, those tires are designed to stay flexible in temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

In contrast all season and summer tires are designed to work best when temperatures are above 40 degrees. All season and performance tires will quickly become rigid and reduce their ability to grip as temperatures drop. This can cause longer braking distances and loss of control.

Can I purchase used Winter Tires?

Reliable Tires Service does not offer used tires. However, you are welcome to purchase used tires, and we will be happy to mount them for you.

Before you purchase "lightly used" winter tires, check that the tread depth is sufficient for both safety and winter performance. Ensure the tires are all the same model, as mismatched snow tires can affect your vehicle's handling. Additionally, confirm that there is no uneven wear on the tires.

When Should I Install Winter Tires?

Tire manufacturers recommend switching to winter tires when temperatures consistently fall below 40 degrees.

To avoid driving without snow tires in the winter, schedule your tire changeover in the fall, before temperatures regularly drop.

Washington State Law permits the use of studded tires from November 1 to March 31. Drivers who use studded tires outside of the legal time period are subject to fines.

During peak season, there is often high demand for tire changes, leading to potential delays and backorders on tires.

Skip the long lines at the tire shop and contact Reliable Tire Service to get your tires changed promptly.

How to Save Money and Time

If you want to save money and time with the winter rush, having your winter tires mounted and installed on a second set of wheels is a great way to do it.

Having a dedicated set of winter wheels for your winter tires, means you can change them yourself. If you're not sure how to do this, simply contact Reliable Tire Service.

Steel wheels are a popular choice for winter tires. It’s plain, basic, and strong, so the damage and corrosion caused by salt, slush, and snow, isn't a worry. The solid steel wheels are often stronger than aluminum wheels as well (and easier to repair), giving you extra protection during pothole season. If you don't like the basic black look, a quality set of wheel covers makes your ride look almost as good as the factory wheels.

When do I Remove Winter Tires?

Once you're confident that temperatures will stay above 40 degrees, it's safe to switch back to summer or "all-season" tires.

However, remember that in Washington State, studded tires are only permitted until March 31.

While leaving your winter tires on all year, can be tempting, we recommend against it. Running winter tires at warmer temperatures can mean rapid tire wear, poor handling and longer stopping distances, and other forms of abnormal tire wear that can cause tire and even suspension damage.

Check out our competitive tire prices directly on our website with our easy tire selector tool or call us with any questions to find the best tires that fit your needs this winter.