Do regular tires consume more fuel than snow tires?

[OliveLynn]

Snow tires consume more fuel than all-season tires. Snow tires have a larger contact area with the ground compared to regular tires, resulting in a higher friction coefficient. Friction = friction coefficient × pressure. Greater friction leads to higher fuel consumption. Snow tires use special compounds to increase friction on icy and snowy roads. Their advantage lies in improving traction and safety on snowy and icy surfaces. The term 'snow tires' is actually a colloquial name; the correct term should be 'winter tires.' It is well known that the rubber compound of standard all-season tires becomes harder as temperatures drop, leading to reduced grip in winter. In contrast, the rubber compound of snow tires behaves oppositely. Snow tires have significantly more small grooves—at least 1,000 compared to around 200 in regular tires. In terms of material, snow tires are softer than regular tires, primarily due to special tread compounds. For example, silica-mixed rubber compounds allow tighter contact with smooth ice surfaces, generating greater friction than all-season tires, thereby significantly improving vehicle control and safety on icy roads. Even in low temperatures, snow tires remain soft, whereas regular tires harden as temperatures decrease.