Winter Tires vs. All-Season Tires

When your tire pressure in winter drops with the temperatures, does it make you worry that maybe your all-season tires aren’t up to the job? Or maybe you travel out of the Darlington area and encounter a lot of snowy, icy roads along the way. While many drivers don’t consider winter tires vs. all-season tires in SC, we know plenty who do. That’s why the Nissan of Florence service team is taking a look at winter tires vs. all-season tires so you can get an idea of which is best for the way you drive.

The Benefits & Drawbacks of Winter Tires vs. All-Season Tires

There’s more to winter tires than just traction on snowy and icy roads. Here are some of the primary advantages of switching to winter tires and a few reasons why they might not be the best choice for the way you handle Dillon or Sumter streets:

Advantages

• Unique Rubber Compound: In super cold temperatures, the rubber in all-season tires can start to break down and get brittle. Winter tires are made with a special rubber compound that’s virtually cold-proof.

• Specially-Designed Tread: Winter tires are specially designed for winter driving on snow or ice. The grooves reduce the amount of snow and ice build-up, so you’ve got better traction when driving in inclement weather.

• Biting Edge Design: Winter tires have a biting edge design that digs into deep snow and ice to allow your vehicle to easily drive in winter conditions.

Disadvantages

• Wear: The flip side of the rubber compound used in winter tires is that it breaks down more easily in hot temperatures. Driving on them during SC summers will cause them to wear out much faster than if you properly put them in climate-controlled winter tire storage.

• Swapping Out: Since driving on winter tires year-round isn’t recommended, you need to plan on swapping tires at least twice a year.

Winter Tire Storage Information & Tips

If you opt for winter tires, you’ll need winter tire storage. Because of their unique composition, they can’t just be left in your garage or shed during hot summer months. Here are some winter tire storage tips that can help you get all the possible life out of your tires:

• Store Clean Tires: Storing tires without cleaning them could lead to corrosion, decreasing the lifespan of your tires, especially if ice-melting agents are on the tires. Make sure you cover your tires after you clean them.

• Clean & Temperature-Controlled Storage: You’ll want to keep your tires in a clean, temperature-controlled space so they don’t experience increased wear. Additionally, you’ll want to stack your tires and rotate them occasionally to avoid any spots or unusual deformities on your tires.

• Tire Pressure: Your tire pressure in the winter will almost always drop. Cold temperatures cause air to become less dense in your tires. We recommend you add the correct tire pressure to your tires when they’re still cold, as you don’t want to have low tire pressure when you’re driving.

• Tread Wear: Just because you have winter tires doesn’t mean you won’t experience tread wear. It’s best to regularly inspect your tire tread wear to ensure you’ve got the proper tire tread for when roads do become hazardous.

Find Your Winter or All-Season Tires at Nissan of Florence

No matter which kind of tires you choose, you can find them in the tire department at Nissan of Florence! Our tire experts can help you take a look at the way you drive and recommend winter tires vs. all-season tires. When you’re ready to buy, check our parts and service specials for great discounts on tires and labor!