What Makes a Good Winter Tire?

Winter in Ponderay, Idaho can be cold – really cold. It seems that we are always dealing with either snow that makes the roads obviously dangerous, or ice which makes the road dangerous without even being visible. Either way, making your way around this region throughout the winter months requires both patience and the right equipment.

Speaking of equipment, a good set of winter tires should be high on your list when the cold weather settles in. Winter tires don’t guarantee that you will maintain control on the roads, but they certainly are a good start. When paired with four-wheel-drive and some common sense, good winter tires can help you make it safely to your destination in a variety of conditions.

Do you know what to look for in a good set of winter tires? Unfortunately, there are a lot of confusing marketing terms out there, which make each winter tire sound better than the last. What should you believe? Let’s take a look at some of the keys to consider when shopping for winter tires. Of course, if you still have any questions at the end of this article, please feel free to stop by Taylor & Sons Chevrolet for assistance.

They Need to Match
For starters, it is important to understand that you should have the same tire on all four wheels on your vehicle. Some people will try to get by placing winter tires on the drive axle (of a two-wheel drive vehicle) while keeping their all-season tires on the other axle. This is not a good idea. You do not want to have different degrees of grip in the front of your car as compared to the back.

We understand that you would like to save money – but this is not the way to do it. When you put snow tires on your vehicle, place them on all four wheels to ensure that they can perform properly. Not only will using just two winter tires negate the advantage of buying those tires in the first place, it might actually cause your vehicle to handle worse than if you just left the tires alone. Simply put, don’t make this mistake.

All-Around Performance in the Winter
The name ‘winter tire’ is different from snow tire, and for good reason. Rather than just being useful when the snow falls (or has fallen), good winter tires will be suitable in the rain, or in dry, cold conditions. Look for tires that have tread patterns which will allow you to drive safely and comfortably on a rainy night as well as a snowy afternoon. If you pick tires which have been designed only to work in deep snow, you will probably be disappointed in their performance in all other conditions.
Stick with Name Brands, Bridgestone is a great one!

Again, this is another point where it will pay off in the long run if you are willing to invest the proper amount of money in your purchase. Rather than looking for the cheapest tires you can find which are still classified as winter tires, be willing to spend the money for a quality set from a recognized name brand. Remember, you are only going to use these tires for part of the year, so the miles will accumulate slowly. As long as you treat them right and store them properly throughout the warm part of the year, you should be able to expect many years of performance out of this set. The upfront cost might not be a lot of fun, but buying good tires from a reputable local company will pay off in the long run.

The Right Rubber
Winter tires are not just about the tread pattern that is designed to chew up the snow and spit it out to the sides and behind your vehicle. Rather, one of the biggest difference between ‘regular’ tires and winter tires is the rubber. When the temperatures drop, the rubber used in regular tires can get hard and slick. You don’t need to be a professional driver to know that the words ‘hard’ and ‘slick’ are not good news when it comes to tires.

When you place a quality set of winter tires on your vehicle, you will have a rubber working for you that has been designed to perform in cold temperatures. The compound used in winter tires does its best work when the temperatures drop, offering performance which keeps the tire flexible enough to help you gain traction on the roadway.

A Good Winter Tire is One Which is Driven Properly
The best tires in the world can’t make up for bad winter driving. If you want to get around the Ponderay area safe and sound all winter long, one of the best things you can do is drive in a cautious manner. As a local resident, you are probably pretty familiar with the basics of winter driving, but it is never a bad idea to remind yourself of the good habits necessary to drive in the cold weather.

Some of the key points are listed below –

• Increase your following distance so you have time to react to the vehicle in front of you
• Reduce your average speed
• Give yourself more time to reach your destination so you don’t have to rush
• Play it safe when unsure of conditions – don’t take unnecessary risks
• Do your best to accelerate and decelerate gradually. Sudden changes in speed can cause you to lose control

If you would like to have a quality set of winter tires installed on your vehicle, please stop by Taylor & Sons Chevrolet in Ponderay, ID. We have a team of experienced technicians who will be happy to work on your vehicle, and we’ll gladly answer any questions you may have. We love caring for our customers, and one of the most important things we can do is send you out on the road with a set of tires that will help keep you safe. We hope to see you soon, and stay warm!

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