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Photo: iStockWhether your region requires you to install snow-rated tires during the cold months or you simply want to sport them for added safety, you should know how much a winter tire costs. Many car owners just don’t install winter tires because they believe they’re unaffordable.
While winter tires are typically known to be more expensive, affordable options from growing tire brands like Sailun Tire don’t compromise on the quality and performance drivers expect on the icy roads.
But even the pricer ones are more affordable than your rising insurance premium, likely medical bills, and automotive repairs (not covered in the insurance policy) that you must endure due to an accident in harsh winter conditions.
Here, we will explain the cost of different winter tires and the additional expenses associated with them. If you’re in the market for new winter tires — from value-based to premium — check out our full buying guide here.
Many factors affect the price of winter tires, including brand, type, quality, and size. Since every brand has its own criteria to evaluate the price for its rubber, we would avoid commenting on it. However, we will specifically discuss type, quality and size to give you a fair idea of winter or snow tires.
For a compact car with a famous 205/55R16 size, below are approximate prices.
The three main types of winters you find in the market include studless, studded, and winter performance.
Studdless Tires
For most people, studdless winter tires are a perfect companion in cold conditions. These incorporate biting edges and soft rubber compounds, making them flexible for winter. A standard studdless tire will cost you anywhere between $60 and $550, each.
On average, for a typical compact car, expect to pay around $100-$150 per tire or $400-$600 for all four. For an SUV or light-duty pickup, the price goes up to $200-$400 each or $800-$1,200 for a set of four.
Studded Tires
For extreme weather conditions like freezing rain, sleet and wet ice, studded tires are ideal for a safe driving experience. The metal studs fixed on these tires bite into ice, giving you improved grip and handling. A studded rubber would cost you around $75-$550 or more per tire. For two pairs, you can expect to pay between $300 and $2,200.
There are also studdable options, like the Sailun Iceblazer WST1 studdable performance winter tire trusted by over 1-million drivers in Canada alone, which won’t break the bank yet designed for drivers that demand maximum traction in severe weather conditions.
Sailun IceBlazer WST1 studdable winter tireSailun IceBlazer WST1 studdable winter tireWinter Performance Tires
For guys who do not want to leave their sports cars or performance sedans in their garage in winters, they should put on winter performance tires.
They are designed to offer excellent traction at high speeds on wet and dry roads. However, they are not your perfect companion for ice or snow-packed roads. A regular high performer is available at around $100-$500 each or $400-$2,000 for all four.
For all the prices we mentioned above, the smaller the size, the lower the cost. However, the price variation also depends on the tire brand, with American tires selling higher than Chinese-made tires.
The prices we shared above are purely for snow tires; they do not include installation charges. For installation, you have two choices. You can either mount the winter rubber on the existing wheels or buy a new set of wheels for all tires.
On the other hand, you can buy new wheels for all tires, making it effortless to put on winters when the snow, ice, and slush appear. The four new wheels will set you back $120-$500 or more. You can always try secondhand wheels; they may cost as low as $40-$80.
Some retailers provide direct discounts, while others may give you mail-in rebates. You may find them in the shape of gift cards or prepaid cards. The discount amount may vary as per size and model. Consumer Reports says that winters tires increase the snow traction by 34%, thus making it easy for you to stop and maneuver the vehicle. These tires actually cut the braking distance by around six feet. That six feet distance is often the gap between you rear-ending a car or drifting into a crossing against carefully coming to a halt without causing a mishap.
Buying the snow tires also enables you to enjoy insurance savings as well as better fuel mileage (if you maintain them well).
Of note, 76% of all Canadians change their all-season tires with snow tires to enjoy better traction and control. Most car owners say that these tires have saved them a possibly dangerous condition.
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Here's an all-too familiar winter driving scene: the roads are dusted with slippery, powdery snow and the all-season tires that came with your car seem to be getting the job done. Until your back wheels start to fishtail. Or you brake for a traffic light -- and your car keeps rolling (skating?) toward that icy intersection for several more seconds.
Opt out of those nerve-wracking moments this winter. Get snow tires. Get your brakes, your traction (and your confidence) back.
Snow tires (also called winter tires) provide better traction and braking on winter roads compared to all-season tires, summer tires, or performance tires. The main advantages of snow tires come from cold-friendly rubber composition and precipitation-friendly tread design:
Deeper Tread Depth: Snow tire treads can grip though surface snow and slush.
Groovy Tread Patterns: Snow tire tread patterns have more grooves, to increase the surface area for traction.
Wider Siping: Snow tire edges often feature more open channels called siping to evacuate water.
Softer Rubber: Snow tire rubber is formulated to stay flexible in temperatures below 45 °F / 7 °C (where other tires may develop cracks and premature wear).
Winter tires come in studded and studless types. (Technically, studdable tires are also on the market -- with holes in the tread to install your own studs.) Studded tires offer extreme traction, but give you a bumpy ride the rest of the time. Plus, studded tires damage roads. They’re only legal during winter in most of Canada and the U.S. -- and banned outright in some states. Studded snow tires were once the state of the art in snow tire design and many of us grew up with them. Studless snow tires are the standard winter tire choice today, thanks to decades of advances in tread design and rubber formulation.
All-season tires are not a substitute for snow tires. They’re designed to be a compromise between winter traction and warm-weather performance, comfort, and fuel efficiency. Both summer tires and winter tires outperform all-season tires in their areas of strength. And depending on where you drive, snow tires may be a requirement:
Vehicles registered in the province of Quebec must have four snow tires from December 1 to March 15 -- and they must be either studded or marked with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF) symbol. (Learn about 3PMSF tires.)
In several U.S. states, local officials have the power to mandate snow tires (or chains) during harsh weather or on snowy roads. New to an area with serious winters? Check with your state transportation department -- or your local Midas tire expert -- for current tire laws.
More and more off-road and all-terrain tires bear the 3PMSF “mountain snowflake” symbol indicating that they are snow-rated, but these tires aren’t a substitute for snow tires.
They’re designed to include snow in the types of terrain they can handle, but most aren’t made of cold-tolerant rubber and they aren’t optimized for the full range of winter challenges -- such as icy streets when you aren’t driving off-road.
Off-road driving can complicate your snow tire options. Trust Midas to help you find your perfect winter tires.
Related:
Learn more about all-terrain tires.
If winter temperatures in your area regularly drop below 45 °F / 7 °C, snow tires are well worth the extra expense - no matter how much (or how little) snow falls.
1. Snow tires offer better cold-weather traction whether it’s snowing or not, because they’re made of more cold-tolerant rubber than other tires. So “snow” tires offer peace of mind all winter -- even when there’s not a cloud in the sky.
2. Snow tire treads really do outperform all-season tires on snow and ice. In a test of multiple tire brands, Consumer Reports found that winter tires reduced braking distance on ice by an average of six feet, and improved snow traction by an average of 34%1.
Here’s another reason snow tires are worth the money: Keeping your regular tires off the road and safely stored during the winter months will extend their life for another two or three years.
Four matching snow tires are recommended for all passenger vehicle types. Your vehicle’s brakes and traction control are designed for all its tires to have the same traction capability. If you only change your front tires to winter tires, the back of your vehicle may spin out as the back tires grip the road loosely compared to the front. If you only install winter tires on the back of your car, you may find it difficult to turn your vehicle as the front tires encounter resistance from the back tires.
Winter tires excel in temperatures below 45 °F / 7 °C, and summer tires rule the road in warmer weather. It’s not just about snow -- it’s the rubber, too. Summer tires can grow brittle in cold weather, risking premature cracks and wear. Winter tires can become too soft in warm weather, increasing rolling resistance, compromising fuel efficiency, and wearing down your tire edges prematurely.
Snow tires should not be used when the temperature regularly exceeds 45 °F / 7 °C. Snow tires are made of softer rubber than other tires to counteract the brittleness that rubber takes on when cold. A winter tire used in warm weather becomes too soft, causing uneven tread wear and risking premature breakdown. The tread wear pattern on a snow tire used out of season looks much like the wear pattern on an under-inflated tire.
A set of snow tires that is properly used, maintained, and stored will provide most drivers with three to four seasons of superior winter traction. After that, the tires may be usable for several more winters, but without the full benefits of winter tires. Your tire manufacturer may offer guidelines, and the actual life of your snow tires will depend on your mileage, your driving conditions, and how you care for your tires. You can extend their life by using your winter tires in only cold weather, storing them properly in warm weather, maintaining proper tire pressure, and following a regular schedule of wheel alignment, tire rotation, and tire balancing.
Replace your snow tires if they sustain sidewall damage, or when they’ve worn down below acceptable tread depth. In the U.S., 2/32” is the legal minimum tire tread depth, and some manufacturers encourage drivers to keep their tires until that point. (Tip: When your tire wear bars show visible wear, you’re there. Replace those tires as soon as possible.) But 4/32” to 6/32” may be a better tread depth for snow tires. In a test of multiple winter tire brands at 5/32”-6/32” tread depth, Consumer Reports saw a 14.5% decline in snow traction during acceleration, and a 7% increase in wet stopping distance2.
Related:
How to measure tire tread depth with a U.S. or Canadian coin.
Your local Midas technician can inspect your snow tires during the season switch, or whenever you have your tires serviced. You’ll get objective advice on when it’s time for replacement tires.
In warmer weather (temperatures regularly above 45 °F / 7 °C) store snow tires away from heat, light, air, and moisture to protect them from rubber breakdown and dry rot.
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Cargo transportation is one of the key areas of logistics.
Trucks and tractors deliver food, household appliances, industrial equipment and so on to their destinations. Like any other vehicle, trucks periodically need to buy new tires.
At first glance it may seem that this is a fairly simple task - you just need to choose the right size wheels, but in reality it is far from being the case. Unfortunately, not even all experienced drivers know how to properly approach this issue. Our editorial staff decided to help readers and developed a rating of the best truck tires. As part of this review, we not only analyzed in detail the key characteristics of the most popular products, but also provided some useful tips on choosing wheels. nine0004
Rating summary: (hide/show)
Today on sale you can find a very large selection of similar products from various manufacturers and in different price categories. The quality of the rubber will directly affect how the car will drive, it also directly affects the amount of fuel consumed, the duration of the braking distance and the acceleration speed.
First of all, the driver should know in what conditions the freight transport will be operated. nine0004
If the car will be driven off-road or on unpaved surfaces, then one type of rubber should be preferred, and completely different wheels should be installed for highways and urban conditions. Each type of road has its own most suitable tread pattern. On sale you can also find universal options in the form of ribs or checkers. For off-road, directional treads or, as they are also called, off-road treads are most suitable. nine0004
Winter or all season wheels are also available. The former are characterized by an in-depth pattern, they are made from special rubber with increased hardness and rigidity. Some drivers install studded tires - it will be really indispensable when driving on icy roads. With the help of such wheels, it is much easier to control the truck, it will slow down faster.
All-season tires wear out much faster, but will cost much less in terms of cost compared to winter options. nine0004
The profile of the tire is shown on the side of the tread - based on this parameter, you can get information about the ease of driving a truck, as well as find out for which road surfaces this product is best suited. Low profile tires make the truck easier to handle, but they wear out very quickly. Wide-profile products will be more suitable for all-wheel drive options. It helps to easily overcome broken or washed-out sections of roads. Arched frameless models perform well in off-road conditions. nine0004
Installing rubber on the axle has a direct impact on the ease of movement of the truck, the length of the braking distance, maneuverability and so on. When installing rubber for the drive axle, it is possible to improve grip on the road surface and increase such an indicator as traction.
A key criterion when choosing tires for trucks is the approximate quality of the road surfaces on which the vehicle will travel.
For off-road, products with the ability to adjust pressure will be optimal. For urban conditions or for tracks, it is better to install the so-called pneumatic rubber. However, it has a very significant drawback - if a puncture or breakdown occurs, the pressure in the wheels will begin to drop rapidly, which ultimately may affect the safety of movement. nine0004
When we selected products to be included in the ranking of the best truck tires, we took into account all the points considered. However, a number of other important factors were also taken into account. In particular, we took into account the value for money of products, as well as user reviews. We tried to include not too expensive products in the rating, so that such a purchase would not hit the budget of our readers too hard.
This model is characterized by increased bearing capacity. It is used on minibuses and light trucks that move on hard road surfaces in a city or highway.
Tires are capable of operating in the temperature range from -10 to +55 degrees. The developers have carefully considered the location of the checkers and grooves on the tread of the product. Such a solution helps the wheels resist hydroplaning as efficiently as possible, provides good grip on the road surface. nine0004
The tread pattern allows for the highest possible driving comfort, the wheels are almost silent. The model has an increased resistance to wear even under conditions of use at high loads. Large tread blocks form multidirectional edges of increased length, so the wheels behave perfectly not only on wet pavement, but also on dirt roads.
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Kama 365 NK243 185/75R16C TL 104/102Q
Tires are characterized by increased durability, they hold the road well, regardless of the surface. The model is equipped with three powerful longitudinal ribs, it is with their help that the developers managed to ensure stable stability of the product on the road, regardless of the weather. The ribs have a large number of grooves that increase the degree of grip when driving and during braking. nine0004 There are large lugs in the shoulder area, allowing you to overcome significant distances even in difficult road conditions, for example, when driving on dirt, wet or icy asphalt. Drainage channels effectively remove moisture from the contact patch, which reduces the likelihood of hydroplaning. On the side there is a wear indicator, thanks to which you can easily monitor the condition of the wheels.
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Truck tire NShZ NU301 215/75 R17.5 126M
The tread pattern is non-directional here, and a large number of transverse broken grooves can be found on it. It was with their help that it was possible to provide increased traction even in deep snow. The shape of the grooves allows them to intensively self-clean during movement. On slippery surfaces, additional traction is provided by the most densely spaced sipes and wavy edges.
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Kama Alga NK 534 225/75R16C TL 121/120R Sh
The distance between the blocks of the central rib is insignificant: such a design solution ensures directional stability on the road. The blocks are separated by special deep channels, which provide effective drainage of the contact patch. This factor prevents the occurrence of hydroplaning effect. Irregular block shape increases traction during acceleration or deceleration.
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Truck tire KAMA NR-202 all season 235/75 R17.5
, on construction sites for the transportation of various goods. The model has increased traction characteristics both while driving and when braking. Manufacturers managed to achieve a similar effect largely due to the presence of transverse blocks of the tread pattern. All elements of the pattern are reinforced, so that they can easily withstand even serious damage. When used in harsh environments, they will not crack or tear. nine0004
The product resists abrasion very well and does not need to be replaced frequently. It is made from universal rubber, which will retain its elasticity regardless of weather conditions. The self-cleaning index of the tire is very high, so it performs well on wet or snowy roads.
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Truck tire KAMA NR 702 TL 11.00 R22.5
Tires perform equally well on both asphalt and unpaved surfaces. They are able to maintain their performance over a very wide temperature range. The tread grooves are located in such a way as to effectively remove water, dirt and ice slurry from the contact patch. The handling of a car with such tires will always be excellent, which allows you to ensure a safe ride, regardless of road and weather conditions.
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Truck Tire 315/70 R22.5 Steering SP301 SPORTRAK
This product is a summer version, designed specifically for installation on the steering axle of long-haul tractors. With the help of such tires, it is possible to significantly reduce fuel consumption, and besides, they are able to withstand a significant mass - compared to the previous models included in this rating, the tires are able to carry 250 kg more. These are carcass tires, and the structure of the carcass itself has been further strengthened by the use of a high-carbon steel cord. nine0004
The wheels are characterized by increased mechanical strength, a unique winding technology has been used, thanks to which the arrangement of steel threads is more dense. The tread depth is also increased, it is equipped with an additional thread, which allows you to drive even on bad roads. Tires keep the car stable in rutting conditions. Five longitudinal ribs of different sizes can be found on the tread.
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Truck tires Michelin X MULTI F 385/55 R22.5 160 K
The design is excellent for trucks that transport goods over long distances. The grooves are arranged in such a way as to effectively remove moisture and slush from the contact patch. The product improves vehicle handling.
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nine0045 Disadvantages:
Truck Tire 315/70 R22.5 Steering SP301 SPORTRAK
Only steel wire is used as a frame, no textile fibers are provided. The grooves are very deep, so moisture and other contaminants that can interfere with traction will be removed almost instantly.
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Truck tire NShZ NR201 245/70 R19. 
5 136M
All season tires, tubeless type. They are equipped with a reliable protector with a high level of moisture removal. This allows the contact patch to remain clean even in heavy rain or snow. On sale you can find models designed for installation on passenger vehicles.
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Tires NKShZ KAMA Flaame A/T NK-245 185/75 R16 97T b/c-1150024
So our review of the best truck tires has come to an end.
We tried to tell as much as possible about the options that are most in demand among consumers. If you have any questions, you can always ask them in the comments to this article. Our editors will try to find the information of interest as soon as possible and provide it to readers. nine0004
Tires M + S: choose from marking
The more choices, the more difficult it is to make a decision. Car tires are no exception, because there are many options on the market. Not everyone knows, but tires "have" a special marking, and in this material we will pay attention to M + S and 3PMSF tires, which are suitable for year-round operation in regions with warm winters. nine0013
M + S tires. Where to look for the marking
When choosing tires, car owners usually pay attention to the cost, brand, tread pattern, the presence or absence of studs.
If you look at the tire from a different angle - from the side, then on the sidewall you can see a set of numbers, letters and even drawings that will sometimes tell more about the tire than a consultant in a car dealership. Among them will be indicated: manufacturer, country of production, model name, size, speed and load indices, tube type and other technical features of a particular tire. Some models designed for winter use may be labeled 3PMSF (mountain or snowflake symbols) or the designation of mud and snow - you will see on the M + S tire. These letters can confuse even seasoned motorists, not to mention beginners. It's worth noting that some drivers refer to M S and 3PMSF tires as "all-season" tires, which is only true under certain conditions. nine0004
Tires M S. What does it mean?
M+S tires have been on the market for over 50 years and even seem a little romantic because of the set of letters and symbol. But in fact, these are the first letters taken from the English phrase MudandSnow, which means “Mud and Snow” in translation.
Thus, the manufacturer reports that the tire provides better traction. That is, the main advantage of M + S tires over other winter tires is the ability to more easily overcome dirty, snowy (not to be confused with snowdrifts and ice) roads, in other words, “winter porridge”. Accordingly, such tires will perform well in the off-season and rainy summers somewhere outside the city, or in regions where the change in weather conditions is not as noticeable as in the northern lane. That is why in our country M + S and 3PMSF tires for year-round use are most often chosen by residents of the Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts. nine0004
M+S tires are a godsend for off-road enthusiasts, as the softer rubber compound provides better traction and eliminates the possibility of wheel separation from the roadway. Rolling resistance also increases. In such tires, rubber layers are laid diagonally in different directions, due to which stability is achieved on an imperfect road.
What makes M + S tires so special
nine0002 Manufacturers have introduced the M + S (MudandSnow) tire marking to simplify the identification of winter models.
However, not all tires are winter tires. Yes, M + S tires are better on snow than summer tires, their tread has many sipes and resembles Velcro, but M + S tires do not always pass the snow test and cannot provide a safe ride on winter roads . That is, tires with the M + S marking are positioned by some manufacturers as all-season, but only the car owner can evaluate the weather conditions of his region and understand whether such tires are suitable for him in any season or not. As you know, it is necessary to “change shoes” for a car, starting from 5-7 degrees. M + S tires are not resistant to low temperatures, and at temperatures below 7 degrees will behave on the road like summer tires. nine0004 If the tire is M + S, then this means that in the production of the model a rubber compound is used, the temperature range of which is wider than that of summer tires.
So what tires are still considered winter?
M + S and 3PMSF tires: Winter, where "snow and mountains"
In accordance with the Decree "On the safety of motor vehicles" in 2012, the mandatory designation 3PMSF (ThreePeakMountainSnowFlake) was introduced for winter tires - the so-called "alpine symbol", the image of mountains with a snowflake.
This means that the tires are more flexible at low temperatures and have been tested on snowy roads and meet the technical and safety requirements for winter tires. These tires are tested at low temperatures and show excellent results on the basis of parameters - braking and traction in difficult weather conditions. Criteria for compliance of tires with the declared international standards are checked by independent experts. The 3PMSF mark has been approved at the legislative level. nine0004
By the way, according to the law of the Russian Federation, in winter (December, January, February), owners of category B cars are required to use winter tires marked M + S and a mountain sign with a snowflake (3PMSF). It is also forbidden to use worn winter tires (tread height less than 4 mm). Violation of these laws entail fines and liability. After all, timely replacement and high-quality tires are, first of all, your own safety and the safety of other road users. nine0004
Important to remember:
The products of the Tire Business of the TATNEFT Group KAMA TIRES are produced in accordance with Russian and international quality and safety standards, comply with the international technical regulations "On the safety of wheeled vehicles" and Russian GOST in terms of quality. The assortment includes passenger cars, light trucks, combined trucks, all-steel cord tires, as well as special and agricultural tires of the brands KAMA, KAMA PRO, Viatti.
