Do You Really Need Winter Tires?
Winter is coming, along with all of the harsh snow and ice in the Midwest!
Driving in Chicago is already tricky during rush hour, and the last thing you want to worry about is if your car can handle the commute on snowy roads.
Which probably has you wondering if switching to winter tires is the right choice or if you should rely on all-season tires instead.
All-Season vs. Snow Tires
All-season tires are the jack-of-all-trades when it comes to car tires. They provide reliable performance for various road conditions. If it just starts to snow while driving on all-season tires, you’ll usually be fine.
However, during the 2021-2022 winter season, Chicago received nearly 33 inches of snow!
Since you know there’s a strong chance you’ll be sitting in traffic at some point during the Chicago winter, it might not be a good idea to risk driving through double-digit snowfalls in all-season tires, especially if those all-season radials are showing signs of wear.
While ordinarily dependable, the ability of all-season tires to hug the road pales in comparison to the gripping power of winter tires.
Snow Tires Can Make All the Difference!
While winter tires can get expensive, they are a solid investment, providing better traction on snowy and icy roads.
With winter tires, you can drive with more assurance on slippery roads when comparing them to all-season tires.
Worrying about your tires skidding on the road after breaking is also much less likely to be a problem you’ll encounter with winter tires. As most Chicagoans know, being able to stop reliably in icy conditions is super important.
How are Winter Tires Different?
Winter tires have more grooves and edges called ‘siping’ to grip the road much more effectively and are also typically made of softer rubber than all-season tires. They are made specifically to keep your car from sliding around excessively during the winter.
But these traits also mean they can wear out faster when it gets warm, so it’s important to use winter tires only during the cold season. While it may be tempting to avoid the hassle of changing your tires in the spring, the quality and gripping strength of your winter tires will suffer if used year-round.
Buy the Right Winter Tires at Milito’s!
We’re here to help you prepare for another Chicago winter with a great selection of winter snow tires.
Contact Milito’s Auto Repair in Lincoln Park to learn about your options from the local tire experts, get a great price on a new set of tires and we’ll install them right away too.
