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Can I drive with all-season tires in the snow?

Car on a snowy road

Are all-season tires safe for winter driving?

It’s that time of the year when you have to deal with challenging and hazardous driving conditions caused by snow and slippery roads throughout Canada. Many Newfoundland drivers get their car’s rubber replaced with purpose-built winter tires or snow tires, while some don’t. But is driving with standard all-season tires safe on snow-filled roads? Let’s find out here at Steele Honda in St. John’s, NL.

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All-season tires vs. winter tires, what’s the difference?

Before we tell you whether it’s okay to drive with all-season tires on the snow, it’s essential to know the difference between all-season tires and winter tires, aka snow tires. All types of tires are purpose-built and differ from the tread design to the sidewall to the rubber compound.

All-Season Tires

These days, most standard tires are marketed as all-season tires and are designed for a smooth, quiet ride in most driving conditions. You can expect them to offer good traction or road grip in rain and bare pavement throughout the year, and while they offer some traction over light snow and the occasional winter storm, they’re not ideal for deep snow and ice. This is because the treads are shallower, and the compounds stiffen as temperatures drop, therefore offering less traction.

Winter Tires

Winter tires or snow tires are specifically designed for offering better grip on snow, slush, mud, and ice. They use softer rubber compounds mixed with silica for added traction, and the tread compounds remain softer and more flexible in cold weather. Moreover, the treads are deeper, wider, and more jagged, allowing for better road grip even in the harshest of conditions. Additionally, some winter tires come with studs for enhanced traction on ice.

Where can I find tires for my Honda vehicle in St. John’s, NL?

Better Stopping and Handling

Another advantage that winter tires offer over all-season tires in winter: stopping and handling. While all-season tires are safe when you’re driving on a wet road in the rain, they’re not as efficient when it comes to stopping and handling on snow-covered roads. On the other hand, winter tires help you stay in control of your vehicle even on snow-covered roads.

Should you change to winter tires?

Whether you should stick to all-season tires or get winter tires depends on what kind of driving you do and where you stay. If you drive off-road on weekends or stay in a town that gets hit hard by snow for months at a time, it’s a good idea to install a set of winter tires on your vehicles. Apart from keeping you safe on the roads, changing over between winter and all-season tires helps extend the life of both your tires.

When should I equip my Honda vehicle with winter tires in St. John’s, NL?

Get Winter Tires for your car in St. John’s, NL

If you’re looking for a perfect set of winter tires in Newfoundland, then head over to the online Tire Source Store at Steele Honda or visit our St. John’s dealership in person. We have some exciting service and parts specials, so be sure to check them out here.