Winter is right around the corner and some of you (like me) you are anxiously waiting to hit the slopes; others are anxiously waiting to go down south for the winter months; and still more of you are most likely regretting having not moved to Florida for the upcoming cold months.

Whichever segment you fall in, if you haven't actually made the mentioned move you are also in the market for snow tires, so it occurred to me:  what better a topic is there for a blog than some pointers on quality snow tires.

After doing some research I found some interesting facts regarding all-season tires versus snow tires versus studded snow tires.  Though the tire companies may tell you their tire is superior without a doubt, choosing the right tire really depends on your needs as there are different tires for different scenarios.  All-season tires are not necessarily the best choice for colder climates that get a lot of snow in the winter season... like St. Albans, Vermont.  They work well when they friction has warmed them up and/or when driving on roads that have already been plowed, but otherwise all-seasons are not really helping you out much while traveling down a road on a cold, blustery night or day.

Conversely, winter tires have treads with more biting edges for the snow and ice, but a lesser known fact is that winter tires are also made of a softer compound.  Between the deep, jagged wells of a tire's tread and the softer composition, winter tires grip the cold snowy, ice-covered roads of Vermont much better than their all-season brethren.

Don't be fooled by commercial jargon, however:  there are potential downfalls to winter tires.  Due to the fact that they are constructed of a softer compound they wear more quickly.  This is why, if you've ever wondered, winter tires do not come with a tread warranty of any kind.  Though this seems problematic, this is why I was sure to write there are potential downfalls:  if you remove your snow tires when the snow melts in early spring, you can protect the investment of said tires and get far more life out of them.

For the harshest of Vermont weather, some may feel the need to run studded snow tires.  It has been proven that studded snow tires do not help a driver on packed snow, but they do help on ice.  The downside with studded snow tires is that your added grip on slick surfaces comes at the expense of additional road noise, and if you are not using them in the proper setting, i.e. winter or when the roads are icy, they do not stop well on dry or wet roads because when the studs are slammed against dry or wet pavement they act as a ball bearing in a sense.  Unless you are located in an icy climate - which I personally wouldn't consider Vermont to be - the cons outweigh the pros in my opinion.  For my money, regular snow tires should do the trick!

For more information on particular tires, click here to send an email to our Certified Service team, or browse our tire menu by clicking here.  Oh, speaking of menus, you can also check out our Certified Service Menu to find out what mounting, balancing, rotating, and so forth will cost and you can schedule an appointment from the same page!

And remember:  snow is coming, and whatever route your choose be sure to drive safe!

Jason Rodriguez
Handy Chevrolet
St. Albans, VT  05478