Living in Tennessee, swapping out your summer tires for winter ones is an annual event that many of us undertake. However, the tire industry has evolved, providing us with a diverse range of options beyond a simple seasonal switch. This raises the question, which tires are the best choice to ensure safe winter driving? To assist you in making an informed decision, let's delve into some detailed tire comparisons.
All-Season Tires
All-season tires are not suitable for all seasons. They are best suited for spring, summer, and fall driving conditions, but cannot perform well in extreme winter weather conditions. The tread design of all-season tires is usually straight and smooth, which is not as effective as the tread patterns of winter tires or all-weather tires in terms of handling snowy and icy roads.
While these tires provide adequate grip on roads in moderate and warm weather conditions and repel water effectively in the rain, they lack the pliability and secure grip needed to navigate through substantial snow, ice, and freezing temperatures.
All-Weather Tires
The terms "all-weather" and "all-season" may seem interchangeable, but they have different applications. All-weather tires perform better than all-season tires during the transitional seasons. These tires have a tread design that combines straight and blocky elements, resembling a hybrid of all-season and winter tires. Thus, they can handle milder winter conditions well. However, it's important to note that in areas with harsh winter conditions, it's advisable to choose dedicated winter tires.
Winter Tires
Many people often wonder whether they need winter tires or not. However, if you reside in Nashville, we recommend that you get dedicated winter tires for your vehicle. Although all-weather tires are better than all-season ones, winter tires offer superior safety and performance in harsh winter conditions. Nashville residents are familiar with the fact that snowfall can occur unexpectedly during the winter months. Even if the weather is unseasonably warm one week, there may be reports of snow and flurries within the next few weeks.
Winter tires have a chunky and aggressive tread design that excels in wet, slushy, and snowy conditions. The deep grooves in these tires allow for effective evacuation of slushy snow, ensuring maximum traction.
During winter, it's advisable to use winter tires because they are designed with a softer rubber compound that remains flexible even in extreme cold temperatures. This softness allows them to have a better grip on icy surfaces compared to all-season or all-weather tires that have a harder rubber compound. However, it's important to note that the soft rubber composition of winter tires can wear down quickly in warm weather. Therefore, it's recommended to switch back to summer tires when the season changes.
The Ultimate Choice: Winter Tires on Rims
We highly recommend installing your winter tires on a separate set of rims. This practice not only enhances the convenience of tire changes but can also reduce costs when you visit auto repair shops like ours here at Phoenix Auto Repair. By having a dedicated set of winter tires on rims, you can make the seasonal tire switch process smoother and extend the life of your tires.
Get Winter Tires Today
At Phoenix Auto Repair, we have a wide range of winter tires available for your vehicle. To avoid any mishaps while driving on icy roads, it is recommended that you get a second set of rims with winter tires installed. You can reach out to us at (615) 866-9199, and our team of experts will be happy to guide you in choosing the perfect winter tires for your vehicle. We can also schedule an appointment to mount these tires so that you can be confident of having a safe driving experience during the winter season.
To ensure your safety during the winter season, it's highly recommended to invest in a dedicated set of winter tires. Don't fall for the marketing strategies of companies promoting other types of tires. Your peace of mind and safety are invaluable, and winter tires can provide confident and secure driving for every mile.