You may have heard about winter tires and are wondering if they are actually all that important. Well, if you live in a harsh winter climate like the ones here in Wisconsin, winter tires are not just important — they are practically necessary.
Below are a few big reasons that highlight the importance of winter tires.
They provide better traction on snow and ice
Winter tires have deeper and more aggressive tread patterns that allow for greater traction than other types of tires. The treads do a more effective job of channeling water out and away to reduce the chances of hydroplaning.
Some winter tires even have small metal studs embedded into them that dig into the snow and ice for even greater traction and control.
They provide better traction on dry pavement, too
There doesn’t need to be snow or ice on the road in order for winter tires to improve your traction on the road. The type of rubber used for other types of tires hardens up under cold temperatures while the rubber that winter tires are made of remains soft and malleable, which improves the tire’s grip on the road.
This is why they are called “winter tires” instead of simply “snow tires.”
They do not compromise
You may be wondering why winter tires would be any better than all-season tires. After all, “all-season” should encompass wintertime, right?
The difference is that winter tires are designed specifically for winter driving. Meanwhile, all-season tires must make compromises in their performance in an effort to cater to all types of driving. Therefore, the winter driving performance of all-season tires is not up to the same level as that of dedicated winter tires. In fact, winter tires have shown to have braking abilities of up to 66% faster than all-season tires.
Get Your Winter Tires in Madison, WI
Kick off winter with a trip to Zimbrick Automotive in Madison, Wisconsin, for our winter vehicle service. In addition to the installation of winter tires, we can also assist with:
- Tire inspection
- Antifreeze and fluid replacements
- Brake inspections and repair
- Battery testing and replacement
- Windshield wiper replacement
Check out our service specials and schedule your appointment today.
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