Winter Tires – Do They Make A Difference?

When the ambient temperatures drop, buyers wonder whether they should invest in winter tires. It’s a question nearly as old as the automobile: Do winter tires actually make a difference? The answer is yes. However, many factors go into choosing the right tires for your vehicle driven in winter conditions. 

Temperature Differences

Dedicated winter tires are meant to be used when the temperature outside gets and stays below 40 degrees Fahrenheit regularly. In contrast, an all-season tire rated for snow will be better suited for climates that dip into the freezing territory but hover above 40 degrees. They can operate well in 20-30 degrees, but winter tires will allow for safer maneuverability and better braking performance even when it’s 0 degrees outside. 

What About AWD Without Winter Tires?

If you drive a Hyundai with all-wheel drive, some people will tell you, “Oh, you have all-wheel drive, you’ll be fine.” No, this is a major misnomer. Having four wheels actively receiving power at the same time does not mean your vehicle’s traction will be any better if you have the wrong tires on your car. If anything, it can make things more difficult. When it loses traction, the car will try to put power to the correct wheel(s). However, all of the wheels are attempting to get traction simultaneously, which has the potential for disaster. A pure winter tire can help your car stop up to 30 feet shorter on a snowy road at 30 mph compared to an all-season tire, according to testing from Tire Rack. That distance is probably tripled or quadrupled when compared to a summer tire that isn’t rated for snow. 

Cold Roads, Worse Performance

The colder the road is, the worse a summer and all-season tire will perform during panic stops and sudden lane changes. Again, all-season tires will be fine, but if you live in a state where 20 degrees is normal, then everything but a winter tire will feel like you are driving on hard glass. 

Which Winter Tire For My Car?

Even with winter tires, there are different types, though. If you have an SUV, truck, or sedan, you will be looking at a standard studless winter tire. If you live in mountainous areas where roads can stay packed with snow and ice for days or weeks at a time, you may want to look at buying studded tires, as they are going to provide much-needed grip with their small metal spikes/studs that can dig into the surface for improved traction. If you have a Kona or Elantra N, then you’ll want to check out some high-performance winter tires that will suit the driving characteristics of your Hyundai N vehicle. 

At Hyundai of Mankato, we take great pride in offering some of the most reliable and safest vehicles on the market today. With dozens of new and used vehicles for sale, our sales team and finance department will help you find the right vehicle for your needs. Afterwards, our outstanding service department will work tirelessly to ensure your vehicle stays in the best possible condition. If you are looking for winter tires, our service writers and technicians will take great care of you and provide you with all the relevant information you need. We look forward to serving you.