Choosing Snow Tires For Your Vehicle

As the weather begins to change, not only is tire rotation a necessity, but choosing the right tires for your vehicle is especially important during the winter months. Whether you drive a long distance, mainly on the highway or dirt roads, all these conditions should be factored in when it comes to choosing snow tires for your vehicle. If you follow these basic guidelines, deciding on the right snow tires doesn’t have to be hard.

The first thing you want to do is check the tire section of the owner’s manual that came with your vehicle. In this section, it will suggest the proper tire size for your vehicle, Remember however there is a difference between regular tires and snow tires. Regular tires have narrower treads while snow tires have wider spaces between treads. A tread on a winter tire is designed to grip snow and maintain traction. Regular tires may give you a quieter ride but they aren’t ideal for driving in dangerous weather conditions. The proper snow tires will help you maintain control when driving on slippery roads or in bad weather conditions, which in some cases can be a matter of life and death.

It is important the four tires on your vehicle are all the same size. If you have different sized tires and mismatched treads, you’ll find that you may have trouble keeping your car in control while driving in winter conditions. If you put snow tires on that are too big, it could damage the fender or suspension. Mismatched tires will also make it hard for you to get control of your car should you hit a patch of black ice during your travels.

Tires without metal studs inserted in them can help you maneuver your car safely while on slippery roads. This type of snow tire is allowed on public highways. In extreme winter conditions, studded tires may be necessary. If this is the case, you may want to buy two sets of snow tires. Purchase one regular set of snow tires for winter and a set of studded tires for extreme weather. Before you buy any studded snow tires for your vehicle, check your local road regulations because in some states this type of tire is banned.

Fore additional information about putting on snow tires, contact the Dave Arbogast Service Department. Our team can also help guide you and make suggestions for choosing proper snow tires.