Considerations For Buying All-Weather Tires Instead Of Winter Tires
Posted on: 3 October 2017
If it has been a long time since you have purchased new tires, then you may be surprised at the variety and types available. One that may stand out to you, especially if you live in a cold-weather area, is an all-weather tire option. This may seem like an ideal option when comparing it to the cost of having one set of tires for summer and one set for winter. Before you make the purchase, you should consider some key points about all-weather tires.
Ideal Use Conditions
One of the biggest misconceptions when it comes to all-weather tires is that they can be used literally in all weather. The truth is that all-weather tires are suitable for cold weather, but not for sleet or snow. This means that if you are in a cold weather environment such as the Midwest, or even the northern parts of the southern United States where cold weather is common and snow is not as common, these tires may not be right for you. If you are in an area where snow is more common, the all weather tire may not be as ideal, and snow tires should be considered.
Budget-Friendly Considerations
One of the key considerations of having different tires for various seasons is the time it will take to swap out the tires and balance them and the cost of ensuring they are ready for proper use. This will need to happen at least twice a year, and may be more often depending on the area you live and the weather conditions in that area. A consideration with all-weather tires is that you will not have to have these special appointments with your mechanic to have the tires swapped out and balanced. You reduce the time spent at the mechanic, but more importantly you reduce the amount of money you are spending. Though you will still have regular tire maintenance when you have your car serviced, specialty fees for balancing and swapping will likely be reduced.
Water Evacuation and Traction
For many drivers, one of the largest concerns with tires is the ability to hold traction during heavy rains. If the rainwater is not moved away from the tires properly, it can cause your tires to lose traction and can lead to an accident. All-weather tires are made to help evacuate the rainwater through channels in the tire treads. The channels move the water through and away from the car to prevent pooling and loss of traction. Though other tires may offer this feature, all-weather tires are made with that feature in mind for year-round assistance.
These key points can help you better understand what it is you are getting when you purchase all-weather tires. If you feel you are ready to make the purchase, check with your local tire dealer to determine if there are any discounts and if you can have the tires installed the same day or by appointment.
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