How to choose the right snow tires
Winter driving has its own dangers, including snow, ice, and general slippery conditions. Even roads that appear dry can pose a hazard as “black ice” secretly accumulates without you even realizing it and you may not be prepared for what’s on the road. You can’t do anything about road conditions, but you can choose the right type of tires to help you get through the winter months. Your safety, as well as the safety of your passengers and other drivers, may be at stake.
Check your owner’s manual — The type of snow tires your car should use depends largely on what the manufacturer suggests. That information should be found in your owner’s manual or related information included with your car. Check your glove box for those details.
site conditions — If you live in a place where it rarely snows, then the type of tires you choose will vary from what a person in the snow belt would choose. For the latter category, high-performance all-season tires should suffice. For people who live where winter precipitation is frequent, severe snow service tires are a must. These tires are marked with the mountain/snowflake symbol and are the types of tires used on European roads.
Studded snow tires — Frequent snow and harsh adverse conditions mean one thing: you should put studded snow tires on your car. These tires are not legal everywhere and you will need to remove them after a certain date. For example, in the state of Washington, studded tires are only allowed from November 1 to March 31. Use these tires outside of this date range and you may be fined by law enforcement personnel.
light heels –In addition to studless and studded tires, lightweight studded tires are an option and can provide a compromise between these two types of tires. You will get enough grip and these tires do not need to be removed when the studded tires need to go out or your car.
If you’re not sure which tires to buy, consult a tire professional who can discuss with you the right tires for your car and your driving conditions. The location of the tires will also depend on the type of vehicle you drive and the wheels that drive it: front, rear or four-wheel drive. Lastly, compare prices and research the reputation of each brand. Some tires wear better than others and can give you many miles and years of service.