Is it necessary to change to snow tires in winter?
2 Answers
It is not mandatory to change to snow tires in winter. The functions of snow tires are: 1. To increase friction with icy and snowy roads through special rubber compounds; 2. To improve traction and safety on icy and snowy surfaces; 3. To provide better grip. Snow tires are categorized based on their anti-slip performance for different road conditions: 1. Serrated tread tires; 2. Snow tires; 3. Studded tires. The principle of snow tires is: The tread that contacts the road surface uses a special silica-infused compound to ensure the tire remains exceptionally soft at extremely low temperatures, delivering outstanding ice grip. The correct way to identify the orientation of snow tires is: 1. Check the production date – the side with the production date should face outward; 2. Look for the dot – the side with the dot should face outward; 3. Determine by letters – the side with letters should face outward.
Speaking of switching to snow tires, I have to share my experience. Driving in extremely cold northern regions like Heilongjiang or Arxan for over a decade, not changing to snow tires is practically playing with your life. Snow accumulation and ice are common in winter, where regular all-season tires harden and lose grip, while snow tires use special soft rubber with deep treads to better grip icy surfaces. Once I delayed changing them and nearly slid into a tree on a snowy slope; since then, I make it a must every winter—shorter braking distances and much more stable driving. But it's not always necessary; if you're in warmer areas like Guangdong or Guangxi with little snow, all-season tires suffice. The key is local weather: if temperatures often drop below freezing or icy roads are frequent, strongly consider switching. Also, regularly check tire pressure and wear—safety first, don't skimp here. One more thing: if budget's tight and you rarely drive on snow, driving slower or using chains can work, but long-term, snow tires are worth it.
