Finding the Best All-Season Tires for Snow
Winter is coming! Depending on what your plans are for the holidays, you may opt to skip the plane tickets and hit the road to visit friends and family instead. But before you suit up in your winter wear and begin your trek, make sure your car is properly outfitted to safely cruise in the snow.
According to Consumer Reports, a survey conducted by Michelin found that only 2 in 5 Americans use snow tires, with a little over 65% of drivers in the case study stating that they didn’t need winter tires because they already had all-season tires on their vehicles. That still is a fairly healthy amount of people that believe they need snow tires or all-season tires to safely travel on the roads during the winter months.
But you don’t have to live in an icy region of the U.S. to benefit from all-season tires. In the colder months, when it rains, it can create a slick coat of ice on the road. All-season tires can help you properly navigate these weather conditions with ease.
Finding the Best All-Season Tires for Snow
All-season snow tires are great for many things, but there is a certain type of all-terrain tire that can make your car grip the road in snowy conditions. Let’s take a closer look at the best all-season tires for the snow.
Goodyear Assurance All-Season – Goodyear has been around for over 120 years, and they’ve seen a lot of changes in that time. When Goodyear wanted to make their tires more reliable than ever before, it seemed only natural that winter conditions should come upon their design agenda. The Goodyear Assurance All-Season is a tire that can be used for any type of vehicle and still provide reliable traction in the winter, as well as very safe handling on dry roads. They also provide good treadwear warranty for the price.
Michelin Crossclimate 2 – The Michelin CrossClimate 2 tire is a strong all-season option for drivers of cars, crossovers and SUVs. The updated version offers responsive handling with safe grip in any weather condition, making it an excellent choice for drivers of all ages and vehicles. The Michelin Crossclimate 2 also offers a 65,000-mile treadwear warranty. How can you beat that?
Michelin Defender T+H – The name says it all. You can’t go wrong with Michelin tires. The Michelin Defender T+H is the perfect choice for drivers who need assurance that they will get superior traction on any surface. Thanks to zigzag sipes, which interlock below the surface and help prevent hydroplaning in wet conditions or light snowfall, this all-season tire provides an even grip from start-to-finish! Including high-speed stability, this all-season tire is probably the best in the category. And-they absolutely shred the competition with an outstanding 80,000-mile treadwear warranty.
FAQs About Snow Tires
“Can I buy chains instead of snow tires?”
Tire chains are important for traction when you’re traveling on icy roads, but they will wear out quickly and may not be strong enough to allow your car to reach highway speeds. If this is something that interests you then you may want to consider winter tires instead of relying solely on chains. Also, if used incorrectly, you may wind up damaging your tires.
“If my tires are marked ‘M+S’ on the sidewall, am I good to drive on snow?”
Some all-season tires have an M+S rating. This stands for mud and snow, but also applies to the general classification of winter tires, as they are designed with a more aggressive tread design that delivers optimal traction. Beware that these tires don’t deliver adequate traction in slick conditions.
Shopping for a New Car This Winter?
We hope these tips on driving help you get through the winter safely. If you’re looking for an affordable, high-quality pre-owned vehicle, Hawthorne Auto Square can help. We have numerous sedans, trucks, and SUVs suited for winter travel. We can get you approved for financing in minutes and offer numerous payment options. To learn more and set up an appointment with us, call 866-707-7664 today.
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