Winter tires are a must if you drive in a state that receives snowfall. However, not all tire products are designed equal. Since winter tires are indispensable to your safety while driving on icy, slushy, or snowy roads, you must get the right tires for your truck.
On the hunt for the right truck winter tires? Consider the following factors when shopping for good winter tires for a truck:
Studs are small, light metal spikes that follow a staggered pattern across the tire’s tread. Sticking out slightly from the tread surface, studs enhance traction by helping the tire break through packed snow and icy layers that cover the road surface.
Most winter tire products are studless. Even without studs, they can grip snow and ice effectively in most winter driving conditions. Between their special rubber material and tread design, winter tires ensure sufficient traction for your truck.
However, severe winter conditions require even more grip and control, more than what studless winter tires can produce. If you expect such conditions, get studded winter tires. Also called studded snow tires, they work better than their studless counterparts.
Some studless winter tires also accept stud insertions. You can stick studs into their treads and remove the parts after using them.
The winter tire’s sidewall bears notations that show how well it handles ice, slush, and snow. The ones you should look for are M+S and 3PMSF.
The M+S designation represents mud and snow. It’s a visual standard that indicates the tire can handle mud and snow without showing performance ratings. Tires with the M+S notation have features that improve traction and grip.
You can find the M+S notation on the sidewall of all-season, all-weather, mud-terrain, and all-terrain tires. In some states, tire chain control stations might let your truck pass if the tires have the M+S designation.
The Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) notation shows that a third party tested the tire’s acceleration, braking, cornering, and other performance in snow. The testers compared the results with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards on tire performance.
Snow tires, some all-terrain tires, and some rugged-terrain tires will have the 3PMSF designation. The 3PMSF and M+S designations can appear on the same tire. However, not all M+S tires are 3PMSF tires.
Like ordinary tires, winter tires come in different sizes. Choose a set that meets your vehicle’s specifications. At the bare minimum, the tires must fit the wheels snugly and without problems.
Another example of these specs is the load index, the heaviest load that the tire can safely bear. There’s also the speed rating–the fastest speed attainable by the tire without sacrificing safety.
You can usually find the vehicle’s tire specifications in the owner’s manual. If the manual lacks the information you need, ask a professional mechanic for assistance.
Durability is another critical factor that needs consideration when you choose winter tires. You want a set that lasts several years before needing replacement.
Tires are mostly made of rubber. The material loses its flexibility in cold temperatures, such as during winter. Modern winter tires use special rubber compounds that maintain their flexibility even when they’re cold. They grip the road better and produce more traction.
Winter tires feature tread patterns that can bite into slippery ice and powdery snow. They are better at gripping road surfaces.
Furthermore, small channels called sipes run through the rubber treads of winter tires. Sipes divert water and slush away from the tire, increasing friction between the tread surface and the road.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHA) warns that more than 70% of US roads pass through areas that get more than five inches of annual snowfall. Thus, it’s more likely than not for you to drive with snow or ice on the road during winter.
Snow and ice reduce your truck’s traction and negatively affect road handling. You’re more likely to get into a car accident, fishtail, or lose control when you drive during snowy and icy days.
Furthermore, the FHA states that almost 25% of car crashes caused by bad weather occur on pavement covered by ice, slush, or snow. Another 15% of the crashes happen during snowfall or while sleet falls. Many cases result in serious injuries or worse outcomes.
This is where winter tires come in. They help improve your truck’s traction and support safety features like traction control that prevent slipping on snow-covered or icy roads. With winter tires on your truck’s wheels, you can drive with confidence while it’s snowing or on icy roads.
Yes! Driving your truck in weather with temperatures that often drop below 45ºF usually benefits from winter tires.
Many drivers who live in states that experience winter weather reported losing control of their vehicles because of snow and ice on the road surface. Despite their experiences and these statistics, only 28% of all drivers fit winter tires on their wheels.
It never hurts to install winter tires on your truck, even if you live and drive in an area that doesn’t get cold enough to form snow or ice. Regular tires use rubber compounds that stiffen when the temperature drops. In comparison, winter tires stay soft and pliable at low temperatures. They help maintain your truck’s traction and handling while driving during winter.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.