Wintertime Calls For Winter Tires

Elevate Your Safety With Winter Tires
When winter weather hits, local drivers know they can depend on their Chevrolet to get them where they need to go. Whether you have a Chevy Silverado, Suburban, or Trailblazer, one of the most important things you can do to get it ready for winter weather is to make sure you have the right tires for snowy conditions. Our dealership specializes in making sure your car, truck, or SUV is ready for winter adventures.

What is the Difference Between Summer and Winter Tires?

Summer tires are great for dry and wet road conditions, but winter tires provide extra grip on snow and ice. All-season tires are a mix of the two. The main differences are the rubber construction and tread patterns.
Summer tires have a rubber compound that makes them a little softer and more pliable. They become hard below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes them lose grip. Winter tires have a rubber mixture that allows them to retain flexibility and grip in lower temperatures, but they do not withstand hot asphalt as readily.
You’ll notice that winter tires also have deeper treads that will dig into the ice and snow for better traction. Cold-weather tires have more channels that will clear away slush and water. This design reduces the risk of hydroplaning and helps you keep better control. Alternatively, summer tires have shallower tread and cannot handle snow, causing you to glide over the top and lose control. These tires appear a little more streamlined, which reduces noise and improves fuel efficiency.

Can You Leave Winter Tires on All Year?
Since winter tires provide better performance in winter weather, you might wonder if you can leave them on all summer. The answer is that you can, but you cannot expect the best performance from winter tires in the summer. The rubber in winter tires does not like hot asphalt, and they will wear out more quickly.
Using winter tires in the summer also increases fuel consumption because the softer rubber changes shape and creates more rolling resistance. Plus, winter tires do not perform well on wet roads in turns and when sudden braking is necessary. The stopping distance increases, and you might experience more road noise. Leaving winter tires on throughout the spring and summer can wear them out by the time winter comes, and you will start the season with insufficient tread.

How Do You Choose the Right Winter Tires?
Although technically, you can leave winter tires on all summer, you have many reasons to make sure you have the correct tires for your local climate. All-season tires can be an option, but you sacrifice a little performance in the summer and winter. This aspect is especially true during extreme heat and cold.
Our best advice is to choose tires that are appropriate for the season and make sure to change them before Mother Nature catches you off guard. If you are not sure which tires are suitable for your vehicle and the type of driving you do, our team of professionals will be happy to help you.
When you have the correct tires on your vehicle for the season, you can feel a difference in the way it handles. Our dealership near Buffalo specializes in winter tires to help you combat the weather. We can help you choose the right tire and install it for you with only a short wait. The best time to get your winter tires is before the winter driving season begins, but we can install them now so that you can stay prepared for what Mother Nature has planned for this year.