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The correct snow tires can help keep you safe in hazardous winter-driving conditions.
According to Dan Guiney, director of technical services for Yokohama Tires, allseason tires are insufficient for bad winter weather. He says that in snow deeper than a half-inch, you need a dedicated snow tire for two key reasons:
1. The tread blocks on snow tires have slits in them called sipes. The more blocks and sipes, the better, because there are more edges to grip the snow.
2. The rubber compound in a snow tire helps keep the tire flexible in lower temperatures and delivers superior traction, even on sheer ice, compared to an all-season tire.
Maintaining proper tire pressure is always critical, but this is especially true in winter. Guiney says it needs to be checked once a month, particularly if there is a major temperature drop.
