How to Buy Car & Truck Snow Tires - Part 1

For most folks, car tires are just car tires. They roll us around town, and after an indeterminate time, they inconvenience us with having to replace them. Likewise for whatever reason, tires come in different shapes, sizes, and tread patterns - and so they might as well all be the same.

As an unfortunate consequence of the manufacturing industry, much of the reasoning behind tire design is not passed on to you at the point of sale. When you go to buy tires, depending on how well the tire salesman is trained − or is inclined to speak for that matter − you may or may not be in for a good dose of education about car tire design.

Assuming you would rather be educated before buying new tires, read on.

Winter / Cold-Weather Tires

If you need to get new tires for driving in winter weather, there are several factors to keep in mind before you shell out your cash. By considering multiple factors before buying your new winter tires, you can come out ahead on overall value for the hard-earned money you pay for them.

This said, keep the following factors in mind:

* Cost
* Softness vs. Durability
* Tread Design
* Studded Tires
* When to Use Winter Tires

Read on for more discussion on each of these points...

Cost

While it's common practice for others to buy the cheapest tires out there, shooting for the lowest rung on the ladder doesn't necessary end up being your best move. The saying "You get what you pay for" comes into play here. When buying a new set of tires, don't just go for the cheapest ones. Instead, weigh the collective benefits you could derive from them versus what you pay for them: value.

In the case of purchasing winter tires, suspend your judgment. Consider the other factors that follow first. Then weigh how many or how much of those factors you get against what you pay.

Softness vs. Durability

The pliable portion of a car or truck tire is its rubber content. Just as there are many kinds of tires, the chemistry of their rubber content are all different. What this translates to is a balance between softness and durability. Generally, tires with harder less pliant rubber last longer. As a downside they offer relatively less traction. Conversely, tires with softer more pliant rubber don't last as long, but they do offer superior traction.

Also considering softness for buying winter tires, it's helpful to know the trade-off on stiffness versus traction. For tires designed for the colder season, you will wish to go with tires comprised of softer rubber content.

(This article is Part 1 of How to Buy Car and Truck Snow Tires by John Melendez. Click here to continue to Part 2.)

Other Reading / References:

Cold Air Intake to Boost Engine Power!
Thinking About Using Nitrogen for Your Tires?
EWAI for Your Car - Try Before Hydrogen Gas or Water InjectionAll the Other Articles