ALT-1 Snow Tires
If you avoid just one accident in ten years of driving due to having snow tires on your car, then that would be proof enough of whether or not snow tires are needed. All-season tires, radial or not, are meant for just that, all seasons, not all driving conditions. All-season tires are great touring tires, and they give great grip when they have enough tread left on them. However, with a reduced tread, you get less grip on frozen road conditions, whether it be snow, ice, oil or black ice.
Snow tires are made with one thing in mind; giving the vehicle more grip on the road when there is snow on the road. However, extra caution should still be given to driving with snow tires on, as snow tires only increase your grip and your chances of stopping behind, or avoiding a car accident.Snow tires with worn down treads are about as good as all-season tires with worn treads, they will not do what they are meant to do; save lives. In many Provinces in Canada, and some States in the United States of America make it the law to have snow tires on your vehicle prior to November 21st. The treads on the tires must be within safety standards, and the laws are enforced to the letter, with no leniency for out of State (or out of Province) drivers. Snow tires have been proven to save lives, and give drivers more than twice the stopping power in wintry driving conditions.Are snow tires necessary? If you live in an area where you get more than 1cm of snow in more than ten days, then you do need snow tires. If the temperature where you live frequently drops well below the freezing mark, then you most definitely need snow tires. And, if you are planning on going anywhere where there is snow on the ground, like to a ski resort, then you will need snow tires on your car.You can get a used set of snow tires, with Winter rims included, for as little as $100 for the set, if purchased from a private seller. From a tire store, or an automotive garage, you can expect to spend about $300 - $400 for the set of four winter tires, installed and balanced. Most tire stores offer the option, usually at no extra cost if new snow tires are purchased, to store your summer tires until May 21st, the end of the mandatory snow tire law. They will then store your winter tires until you need them again for the next winter season.
