This past December, Edmunds.com, an online consumer resource for automotive news, conducted a snow tire test to see if winter tires really do a better job than summer and all-season stock varieties when it comes to driving on snow- and ice-covered roads.
Snow tires offer many benefits on paper, but many still wonder if they're worth paying for. In other words, do the benefits outweigh the costs to upgrade? Just a few commonly known benefits of snow tires include:
- Better grip on snow and ice, with deeper tread and specially formulated rubber
- Better braking ability on snowy and icy roads than summer and all-season tires
- Increase overall driving safety during snow season
- Installing snow tires during winter extends the life of all-season tires used during other months of the year, and if you go the next step and purchase a set of steel "beater" wheels, you'll protect your alloy wheels from harsh, salty winter elements that can wear them down
NOTE: Winter tires should not be used all year long. They're composed of a softer rubber that's specially designed for cold weather and snow, but this special rubber wears down in warm temperatures. If purchased, winter snow tires should be placed on around Thanksgiving and removed around Easter.
Edmunds.com's Snow Tire Test Comparison Key Findings
Snow tires clearly offer benefits, but just how great are the benefits?
Braking Assessment
Stopping ability is very important when it comes to safety and Edmunds' test concluded that the winter tires offered better brake performance in snowy conditions. The all-season tires used in the test stopped a car traveling 40 mph in 184 feet, while the winter tires stopped the car in 156 feet, a pretty significant difference. Additionally, a skinnier winter tire improved braking even more, bringing the car to a stop in 147 feet. Summer tires were also tested in the snow and took a scarily long 351 feet to bring the car to a stop, making it clear that one should never get caught driving in the snow with them.
Acceleration Assessment
Having enough road grip to get a car moving is important if you don't want to deal with sluggish, slow-to-start performance all winter long. In Edmunds' test, the snow tires once again proved useful, bringing a car up to 40 mph in 11.7 seconds, versus the 14.5 seconds it took the all-season tires. Again, the skinnier winter tire offered further improvement, bringing the car up to the same speed in 11 seconds. As for the summer tires, they took a dismal 41.7 seconds.
If my car has all-wheel drive, do I need snow tires?
Many experts agree that tires actually have a bigger impact when driving in snow than all-wheel drive. If your car has poor tires, all-wheel drive won't make much of a difference in snowy weather. While a good set of all-season tires paired with AWD will make it through the snow in most cases, experts say pairing AWD with snow tires is your safest choice. And summer tires will likely render your car useless in harsh snow conditions even if you have AWD.
Is it okay to just replace two of my tires with winter tires?
Purchasing winter tires in sets of four is suggested. The fact is that if you have two winter tires and two all-season tires, there will be unequal traction at the front and rear axle and vehicle control is affected, potentially putting you at risk in emergency driving situations. Having matching tires is ideal and recommended for your safety.
The Conclusion
Edmunds.com recommends snow tires for both new and experienced winter drivers, stating that for those who live in a town "where winter is no joke," snow tires make a big difference. Popular Mechanics magazine also conducted a similar test a few years back and came to the same conclusion, stating that the difference in braking and cornering is especially noticeable with winter tires.
Additionally, if you're worried about the investment, Sarah Robinson, Motorsports Marketing Manager at Michelin North America states, "If you do it right, you're going to get several seasons out of those tires. The wear rate is very low."