News

Sometimes at Van's Tires & Service, we hear a little bit of confusion over when to make the switch to winter tires. Winters here in Ohio can be pretty harsh, and there's definitely a need for them. But when exactly should you have a tire changeover?

 

There's one easy answer for that – lower temperatures. Whether the snow is flying or not, it's safe to say that you should switch over to winter tires when temperatures and daytime highs are consistently below 35 degrees.

 

Winter tires are made with a softer, more flexible rubber formulation that stays flexible in sub-freezing temperatures. 

 

The downside of the rubber compound that winter tires use is that it wears very quickly when temperatures exceed 40 degrees. 

 

In addition to softer rubber formulations, winter tires are designed with a more aggressive tread pattern that includes deeper grooves and a dense network of sipes; tiny slits cut into the tread surface. Sipes give the tire hundreds of extra biting edges to dig into snow and slush and help claw your way through. If things are really bad, winter tires are available with pre-drilled tread surfaces that make it easy for a technician to install dozens of metal studs to grip on ice. Remember to check local ordinances and laws on studded tires.

 

The good news about today's winter tires is that they're no longer the heavy, clunky, noisy "snow tires" that were on your uncle's Buick wagon 40 years ago. Newer winter tires are designed to deliver the same sort of ride quality, handling, steering response, noise level, and road manners as the best all-season or touring tires. They have a very decided edge over all-season tires; however, when it comes to traction and performance in slushy or snowy conditions – as anyone who ever tried to get through an Ohio winter with all-season tires can tell you.

 

At Van's Tires & Service, we carry a great selection of winter tires from premium brands like Michelin, BFGoodrich, Pirelli, Continental, and many others, at a price that you'll love. Don't go slip-sliding through winter weather this year. Make an appointment with us before things get bad outside!