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How much for studded snow tires


How to: Choose Snow Tires

Do I need to buy winter tires or can I just get snow chains?

What the heck is siping?

When do I have to have studded tires and when will studless do?

If you’re wondering how to pick the right tires for winter, or whether you need them at all, here are answers to the eight most common questions about winter tires.

(A lot of people still call tires used in the cold months “snow tires,” but it’s more accurate to call them “winter tires.” For purposes of this article, we use both terms to mean tires designed for winter driving.)


1. “Do I need snow tires?”

Winter tires are important for safe driving if you live somewhere that gets snow, ice, sleet or freezing rain and temperatures of 40 degrees or colder. They’re also the right option if you routinely make trips through snow zones or the mountains during the cold months.

Learn about the difference between all-season tires and snow/winter tires here.


2. “If my tires are marked ‘M+S’ on the sidewall am I good to drive on snow?”

Some all-season tires have an M+S rating. This stands for mud and snow. These tires have a more aggressive tread design to deliver better traction in a variety of conditions using larger tread blocks and wider gaps between them. The purpose of these tires is to achieve optimal tire life along with good performance in most weather conditions.

But it doesn’t mean they’re adequate for winter driving. In slick conditions, they don’t deliver the traction, control and short stopping distance that you get from a snow tire.

If you want safer driving on packed snow or ice, look for tires made with the right compound and branded with the Mountain Snowflake. This means they’ve actually been tested and certified to perform in winter conditions.


3.
“I have all-season tires, so I don’t need snow tires. Right?”

Wrong. Don’t believe it? See this driving comparison between all-season and snow tires.

If you’re driving on snowy or icy roads, only winter tires will give you good stopping ability and secure handling. This is because they’re built very differently. How?

Different compound. Summer and all-season tires are made with a stiffer rubber compound. This helps the tire retain its shape when it’s rolling on hot pavement. Winter tires are made with hydrophilic (that’s “water-loving”) rubber which stays softer and more pliable in winter weather. This more flexible rubber is one reason you get more traction on snow and ice.

Another reason is tread design. Winter tires have a higher “void-to-lug” ratio, meaning there are larger grooves between the blocks of tread (the lugs). The tread blocks also have irregular, sharp edges.

When a tire with wide grooves and biting edges travels over packed snow, it cuts through and scoops some of the snow into the voids on the tire surface, allowing the tread to stay in closer contact with the road. Then the velocity of the tire ejects this snow from the grooves. This is how winter tires provide more aggressive traction than all-season tires.


4. “Should I get my snow tires siped?”

Most snow tires are already siped, with small patterned slits on the lugs that create extra edges for better road grip. Additional safety siping can be done for a fee on new or used tires. If you’re regularly traveling on slick roads, the added traction from custom siping is a good way to improve starting, stopping and rolling traction.


5. “Is it okay to buy used winter tires?”

Before you jump on that set of “lightly used” winter tires on Craigslist, do three quick checks. First, verify they’re the right size. You can look in your vehicle owner’s manual or right on your existing tires’ sidewall close to the rim for the series of numbers. (Here’s a primer on what they all mean.) If you’re not sure the tires you’re considering are the correct size, call a tire dealer and make sure.

Second, measure the tread depth by using a tire tread depth gauge. You can pick one up at any auto parts store for under five bucks. Or have a tire store tech do it; it should be free. Take measurements in multiple places in the grooves on each tire.

A new tire typically has 11/32nds of an inch in tread depth. A rule of thumb is that if there are 6/32nds of an inch or less in tread remaining on a winter tire, it’s about to lose a good deal of snow performance. So think carefully about whether you’re going to get what you’re paying for.

Third, be sure there’s not a problem with uneven wear. Did your tread gauge measurements show any tread depth difference between the four tires? It’s really common for tires to wear differently over time. If the disparity between any two tires is more than 3/32nds of an inch, pass on those used tires. Driving with mismatched tires or putting the wrong size on your vehicle will NOT save you money in the long run. You’re risking big repair bills for your transmission.

It’s also a bad idea to put winter tires on only the front or back. This creates a big difference in traction between your axles. And this will mean less steering control, not more.


6. “Can I just buy chains instead of snow tires?”

Tire chains can be important — and are sometimes required — for traction when you’re traveling in the mountains or on icy roads. But they’re not made for driving at highway speed or on bare pavement. You risk damaging your chains if you try this.

Don’t think of chains as a substitute for winter tires but as an option you need to have ready when you’re driving on snow.

Depending on the conditions and your state’s rules, traction controls in snowy areas will range from requiring only the minimum — like M+S tires on the drive axle — up to chains on all tires, including all-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles. Here are California’s chain controls, for example.


7. “Do I need studded snow tires or studless?”

The tire dealer will consider your driving habits, where you’re traveling and typical winter conditions in your area when recommending what you need.

Studless snow tires work well on slush and packed snow. They get traction through wide, deep grooves and lots of irregular surfaces with sharp edges. This allows the rubber to cut through snow and grip the road.

Studded tires provide the best traction you can get, even when you're encountering ice or packed snow. Studs are lightweight, small metal spikes that are staggered across the tread. They help break through packed snow and ice-covered roads to give you better traction. Note: Extra tread depth is needed to accommodate studs, so studded tire size options are limited. Also, the times of year when studded tires are allowed on the road vary by state. Here’s a guide to studded tire regulations.


8. “Should I buy winter tires with rims?”

It’s a question of time and money. Here’s a way to decide:

  • Assume you’ll have your snow tires for five years.
  • Total up the cost your tire dealer will charge for swapping out tires twice a year (ten times) if they’re not on rims. (Les Schwab will swap out tires purchased at our stores at no charge if they’re mounted on separate wheels.)
  • Compare that figure to the price of the rims to see if there are savings.
  • Factor in a bit more waiting time, since it takes the shop longer to unmount and remount the tires on the rims each time.
  • Weigh whether the tradeoff in any money saved is worth the extra waiting room time.

Also consider the extra wear and tear on your tires that comes with unmounting and remounting tires on only one set of wheels. Especially with low-profile tires, it’s not uncommon for an inexperienced tire tech to damage the inside edge of a tire near the beads, the places where the tire gets pried off and pushed back on.

If you’re leaning toward separate wheels for your winter tires, here are some tips on selecting the best wheel finishes for winter conditions.

Check out tests from the Tire Industry Association in this video to see what the difference winter tires can make.


The Bottom Line on Picking Winter Tires

Some all-season tires are marketed as working equally well in summer and winter. That may be true in dry, mild climates where the seasons don’t vary much. But you’ll only get confident traction, braking and control on snow and ice with a winter tire. If you live in a place with winter weather, you’ll need tires marked with the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake for safest handling. Because not all tires with a mountain snowflake have a winter compound, ask your tire dealer what you really need.

Want more tips on winter road safety? See 19 Winter Driving Resources You Can’t Do Without.

SHOP WINTER TIRES

Snow Tires - How Much Do They Cost & Are They Worth It

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.

Do snow tires make a difference?

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:

  1. Deeper Tread Depth: Snow tire treads can grip though surface snow and slush.

  2. Groovy Tread Patterns: Snow tire tread patterns have more grooves, to increase the surface area for traction.

  3. Wider Siping: Snow tire edges often feature more open channels called siping to evacuate water.

  4. 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).

Are there different types of snow tires?

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.

Do I really need snow tires if I have all-season tires?

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.

Do I really need snow tires if I have off-road tires?

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.

Are snow tires worth it?

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.

How many snow tires do I need?

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.

Is it OK to use snow tires year-round?

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.

How long do snow tires last?

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.

When to replace snow tires?

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.

How to store snow 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.

  1. Choose a cool, dry, preferably dark location to store your winter tires. First choice: A climate-controlled storage area. Second choice, a basement.
  2. Clean and dry each tire.
  3. Place each tire in a plastic garbage bag.
  4. Remove as much air as possible from each bag.
  5. Store each tire upright if space permits.
  6. Shield the tires from light: Ensure that the storage area is kept dark, or place light-blocking materials on and around the tires.
  1. Consumer Reports tested 53 models of all-terrain, all-season, and dedicated winter/snow truck tires, and published the results on March 16, 2017. Read the test results here. ↩
  2. Consumer Reports tested 50 models of winter tires after removing 50% of tread from the tires (resulting in testing tread depths of 5/32”-6/32”), and published the results on February 10, 2018. Read the test results here. ↩

Winter tires from Linaris LLC in Nizhny Novgorod

(831) 262-1-262 retail
(831) 262-1-176 for legal persons
info@linaris. ru

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CORDIANT SNOW CROSS PW-2
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