Plain

by Michael Heitman

Created on: December 03, 2009

Driving on snow and ice is an acquired skill and skill is much more important than equipment on the white stuff. I lived in Alaska for six years and now live in a Southern state so I am familiar with all kinds of conditions and drivers. Having studded tires is only of benefit in locations with a consistent layer of packed ice on the roadways, but even then it is not fully necessary in most cases.

Buying a set of studded snow tires is expensive, takes time or money to have them put on when the snow flies, takes time or money to take them back off in the Spring after break-up, and you have to have a location to store the other set of tires that you are not using. I had studded tires on my vehicle and they were alright, but they did not keep me from still having little "bumps" with other cars. This is particularly true if you get into ice ruts on busy roads where the ice is so pack it becomes like glass. There may have been a few times, where they helped me to gain a little traction on inclines, but overall, I did not feel that they justified the price and inconvenience. Plus, studded tires destroy pavement very quickly which is why most Northern locales have windows of time which dictate when you can have studded tires and when you cannot. I knew people who had lived up in Alaska their whole lives and never owned studded tires. They just acquired the necessary skills of drive on snow and ice which includes the number one rule of not slamming on the brakes. Skill supersedes studded tires.

Now living in a Southern state, there is certainly no reason for studded tires in warmer climates with occasional snow. Generally roads are now pre-treated with salt or brine solution prior to expected snow events in an effort to eliminate hazardous road conditions. If you live in an area that gets heavy snows that are infrequent, then temporary chains are likely a better bet. Chains give you much better traction in deep snow than studded tires.

Studded snow tires are not terrible if you have them already. My experience tells me that there is not need in most cases for people to spend the time and money to buy studded snow tires and rotate them on and off of their vehicle. They damage the roads when snow is not present which leads to higher expenses on local governments who maintain the roads. Buy them if you wish, but experience driving on the white stuff is of far greater value.

Learn more about this author, Michael Heitman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.