Save Money With Good Snow Tires During Winter
Winter in the Snow Belt
Snow tires are a crucial thing to have in areas that are frequented by snowfall in the winter.A recent Bankrate article highlights the importance of snow tires, and investing in the right set and it’s potential of saving money and possibly your life.
The VP of Tire Rack, Matt Edmonds, had this to say: Changing to snow tires is a lot like changing your shoes. When the weather gets bad and we want the ultimate in terms of control and safety, we put on a good pair of winter boots. The same goes for tires. Having good tires is key in areas where snow hits hardest. The US Snow Belt is a prime area for cars having problems with traction and safety. One of the easiest ways consumers can protect themselves during travel is to get a good set of snow tires for the winter season.
Are snow tires actually worth anything?
Your tires begin to wear down long before winter. Traction will start to dissipate at 40 Degrees Fahrenheit, and it begins to drop off quickly below that. Edmonds added, At 32 Fahrenheit, the summer tires found on many high-performance vehicles are so stiff they offer no traction at all. The tires are specifically designed for greater traction in conditions of slush, sleet, snow or ice. They have deeper treads and utilize silicone-rubber compound that keeps them pliant and flexible on winter roads. Flexibility is important when maneuvering through tough roads and bad weather.
The US Rubber Manufacturers Association
In 1999, the US Rubber Manufacturers Association, or RMA, agreed on a unified standard when it comes to vehicles and traction in the snow. The logo to signify that a tire is reliable in winter is a snowflake in the mountain. Your local tire dealer can let you know which tires are made with the RMA-logo. The manager of a tire service in Greenfield, Wisconsin, Steve Jambor, said, Winter tires fall into one of two categories: stud-less ice-and-snow tires and performance winter tires. The former use a silicone rubber compound and they give much better traction in ice and snow.
When looking for snow tires, look for narrow ones
Research has shown that narrow snow tires dig deeper into the snow and grip. They can make driving in winter a lot safer. Wide tires will “float” over the top of the snow, rather than gripping it. Narrow snow tires on all four wheels can lessen the chances of a spin-out. Edmonds adds, It is a safety issue because so many vehicles today utilize stability control, traction control and anti-lock brake technologies that monitor and modulate wheel-speed and wheel-rotation at all four corners of the vehicle.
The one downside
Despite the many virtues of getting snow tires, there is one downside: cost. Typically, snow tires cost between $ 50 and $ 200 per tire, depending on size. Changing snow tires back and forth with regular tires can cost you. Jambor added, Mounting and dismounting a tire places a lot of stress and wear upon the tires bead and shortens its life.” Putting on new tires twice a year can be costly. Despite the cost, changing tires twice a year saves a lot, if it prevents you from being in accidents. Having good snow tires proves to be an invaluable expense to include in your yearly budget.
Rubber (2011) – Official Trailer [HD]