Do I Need to Change to Snow Tires in Winter?
2 Answers
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.
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.
