Do I Need to Change to Snow Tires in Winter?

[OAmara]

Whether you need to change to snow tires in winter depends on your specific situation. If the winter temperatures in your city are not particularly low, with only a few dozen days where the temperature drops to around -15°C, installing snow tires is unnecessary. During winter, lower temperatures, snow accumulation, and icy road conditions make driving more prone to slipping, creating safety hazards. Snow tires are suitable for use on icy and snowy winter roads as well as general roads, ensuring driving safety. As winter temperatures drop (not just when it snows), rubber hardens, and the special rubber compound used in winter tires maintains elasticity in low temperatures. Winter tires are only for winter use, offering better traction on icy and snowy roads compared to summer tires.

[LaSarah]

As a seasoned driver with twenty years of experience, I firmly believe that switching to winter tires in the winter is absolutely essential, especially in snowy northern regions. Regular tires are as slippery as ice skates on snow and ice, significantly increasing braking distance, and a momentary lapse in attention can easily lead to an accident. I still remember a few years ago when I skipped changing them for convenience, only to skid on a small slope and nearly hit the guardrail—it was terrifying. Since then, I make it a point to change my tires every November, and by December when the snow falls, driving feels much more stable. Winter tires are designed with a rubber compound that stays softer in low temperatures, and their deeper treads grip snow and ice better, providing more reliable steering and braking. Saving a bit of money by not switching them out isn’t worth the risk—if an accident happens, the repair costs could be much higher, not to mention the worry it causes your family. Getting a set installed at the shop before the cold sets in brings a lot of peace of mind.

[LaCourtney]

Whether to switch to snow tires depends on your budget. The city I live in has sub-zero temperatures and heavy snowfall in winter, but I did the math first: a set of snow tires costs around 2,000 yuan and lasts four to five years, averaging 400-500 yuan per year. If I don’t switch, regular tires wear out faster in winter and may cause damage to the chassis or bumper due to slipping, with repairs costing at least a few hundred yuan each time. An accident on the road would be even more costly. I remember trying to save money the first year by not switching, but the tires froze and lost grip, increasing fuel consumption. After switching to snow tires, the handling improved noticeably—corners felt more stable, and fuel efficiency improved. However, in southern areas with little snow, it’s unnecessary to spend this money; just opting for thicker tires is enough.

[MadelynAnn]

Winter driving performance varies greatly with tires, and the difference is noticeable after switching to snow tires. Regular tires become stiff when the rubber temperature drops, making them slippery like stepping on oil when encountering ice and snow. Snow tires use a sulfur-enhanced rubber compound that resists freezing, with increased tread depth to ensure the car grips the road firmly and reduces skidding. I've conducted several tests—at the same speed in turns, snow tires stop more quickly than regular tires, which can help prevent accidents. While some argue that driving slower is sufficient, the friction coefficient of regular tires plummets in low temperatures, leading to delayed emergency responses. If your driving environment often sees temperatures below freezing or snow accumulation, swapping to a new set of tires is a basic safety measure.