by Cameron Scott

Created on: December 17, 2011   Last Updated: December 18, 2011

Going into a tire store can be a bit overwhelming. There's so many varieties! However, after eliminating all the different sizes, what you're mostly left with is a choice between good-weather tires, all-weather tires, and snow tires. Choosing the right tire for adverse weather conditions can make the difference between stopping in time and spinning completely out of control.

All-season tires

Modern all-season tires have basic grip treads which work adequately in all weather. Many all-season tires are rated for mud and snow (M+S, M/S, or M&S). This does not mean they have passed the industry snow test. Slush can build up into those treads, which reduces traction. You can either keep cleaning out the treads, or you can switch to a tire designed for use on snowy surfaces.

All-season tires are usually made of a grade B or C rubber compound, which gets excellent mileage and wears well. However, hard rubber compounds lose traction and become brittle as the temperature falls. This loss of elasticity can begin in temperatures as warm as 7 degrees Celsius.

Snow tires

Snow tires have heavy open treads which bite into snow and ice. They're also designed to shed snow and icy water, so that the tire is constantly getting rid of slush buildup. Tires which have passed the industry snow test have a symbol of a mountain with a snowflake on it. There is no industry ice test, yet. It's probably only a matter of time.

Every snow tire is made of a grade AA or A rubber compound, which is the softest kind available for tires. these softer rubber compounds stay flexible in cold weather. If you live in a very cold climate, the kind that stays around -15 or colder most of the winter, look for the AA rubber compound. You'll get worse mileage than you would with all-season tires, but at least you'll have a much better chance of staying on the road.

You'll find that snow tires are noisier than all-season tires. That's also because of the softer rubber. Sometimes high-end snow tires which are not as square and noisy, but still have all the traction, are called winter tires. Most people and even many dealers use the two terms interchangeably.

If you're going to use snow tires, it's important to put them on all four wheels. On the drive wheels, you'll need snow tires to get going and to stop. On the steering wheels, snow tires will help the car to go in the direction you want it to go. Putting snow tires only on your rear driving wheels is a sure recipe for a spinout.

Metal-studded snow tires and chains

Normal snow tires and standard winter driving skills should be enough for nearly all kinds of winter driving. Use metal-studded snow tires only for driving on glare ice. Chains should be reserved for driving mountain roads or other steep slopes. Both studs and chains are really bad for normal pavement, even if it's snow-covered.

However, there's some winter roads that are beyond any tire. If a road is closed during winter storms, please don't drive around the barricade. People get killed that way. When storms and squalls hit a snowbelt region, the snowdrifts which pile halfway across major highways can be higher than 7 metres. No snow tire can handle that. Not even tire chains could handle that!

Why can't snow tires be all-year tires?

It might seem like a good idea, but it's really just the opposite. The deep tread isn't going to help you at all on dry pavement, and the car will handle completely differently. Your gas mileage will also suffer. So remember to take off your snow tires when spring comes.

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