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Utah is known for the best snow on earth, which is great for hitting the slopes, but can wreak havoc on our roads. While snow and ice are obvious hazards, did you know the consistent cold temperatures can also affect driving conditions and your safety? Read on to learn why tirebuyer.com and Diamond Tires recommend winter tires:

What are winter tires?

Winter tires are made specifically to perform on cold, snowy or icy roads. While all-season tires are built to handle many driving conditions, the rubber compound they’re made from tends to harden in low temperatures. When the rubber hardens, it loses the ability to conform to the road surface, and therefore loses traction. Winter tires are made of a specially developed, softer rubber compound that allows them to stay flexible and provide vastly improved traction even in the harshest conditions.

Do I need winter tires?

Tirebuyer.com suggests this rule of thumb when determining if you should get winter tires: If the winter temperatures are regularly below 45 degrees F, you should invest in a set of 4 winter tires.

What if I have all-wheel or four-wheel drive?

All-wheel/four-wheel drive systems help with traction by sending power to all the wheels under acceleration, but they don’t aid in braking. Stopping distance (especially on ice) is greatly improved with winter tires.

Do I really need to buy all 4?

The short answer – yes! Winter tires are made of a different compound and perform differently than all-season tires. Having two axles performing differently is never a good thing, especially when the road conditions are compromised. For your safety, and the safety of others, it is strongly recommended you use 4 winter tires.

If I’m going to buy 4 winter tires, can I use them all the time?

It’s not recommended. The softer winter tires tend to wear down much faster when the roads heat up.

My tires say “M+S”, do I have winter tires?

No. “M+S” is an all-season tire with approval for use in mud and light snow – but not sustained low temperatures, ice, or snowy roads. If you see a mountain or snowflake on the sidewall of your tires, then you have winter tires. 

Having two sets of tires may sound like a lot of time and money, but it’s well worth it. Since you only drive on one set of tires for half the year, both sets end up lasting much longer and saving you money in the long run. Aside from saving you money, having winter tires is much, much safer.

Bridgestone Tire has a great analogy – You can wear tennis shoes all year round, but it’s much nicer to wear sandals in the summer and boots in the winter. 

SL2017