Winter Tires vs. All-Season Tires

When you buy a new vehicle, there’s a good chance it will come with all-season tires. As the name suggests, all-season tires are designed for smooth year-round performance. However, while they hold up well in most weather, all-season tires have limitations in harsh winter conditions. That said, some Wexford drivers switch to winter tires in preparation for the cold, snow, and ice.  

Should you swap out your all-season tires for winter tires? The main difference between winter tires vs. all-season is that winter tires are engineered for challenging conditions, like snowy and icy roads and freezing temperatures. Learn more with Ron Lewis Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram below.

The Advantages & Disadvantages of Winter Tires

The chief benefit of winter tires is the special design that helps them tackle difficult winter conditions on the Mars roads. However, you should also know the potential drawbacks when comparing winter tires vs. all-season tires. Learn more here:

Advantages

• Unique Rubber Compound: The rubber on all-season tires can seize up in low temperatures, resulting in poorer traction. Winter tires utilize a softer rubber that stays flexible in cold temperatures, so you don’t lose traction.
• Specially-Designed Tread: The grooves of winter tires are designed so that snow and ice can’t get impacted, helping maintain optimal traction.
• Biting Edge Design: Another special feature of winter tires is the biting edge design, which digs through the snow and ice on the road, helping keep your vehicle on a steady path.

Disadvantages 

• Wear: Winter tires may experience more rapid wear during a period of warmer weather with dry roads, due to the soft rubber.
• Swapping Out: Putting winter tires on your vehicle requires additional service visits to have them installed before winter, and to put the all-season tires back at the end of winter.

Winter Tire Storage & Maintenance Tips

Since you shouldn’t drive on winter tires year-round in Sewickley, you’ll need to store them between uses. Winter tires also come with maintenance considerations. Read our advice for winter tire storage and maintenance:

Winter Tire Storage Tips 

• Store Clean Tires: After months of driving on salted roads, winter tires must be washed before being stored away. This will help prevent corrosion and ensure they last as long as possible.
• Clean & Temperature-Controlled Storage: Winter tires should be stacked vertically and kept in a clean, temperature-controlled space. You should also rotate them occasionally so they don’t develop wear spots.

Winter Tire Maintenance Tips 

• Tire Pressure in Winter: Lower tire pressure in winter is expected, as cold temperatures reduce air density inside the tires. We recommend adjusting your tire pressure when the tires are cold so you can be sure they have a proper PSI.
• Tread Wear: Winter tires aren’t immune to tread wear. Thus, you should inspect the treads regularly and rotate the tires to keep the tread wear even.

Ask About Winter Tires at Ron Lewis Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Whether you’re looking for winter tires in Cranberry Twp or have questions about correcting your tire pressure in winter, our team is here to help. Contact us anytime to start a conversation. Our parts department can help you choose a set of winter tires for your make and model, and you can book an appointment to have our service team handle the installation.