Do you need Snow Tires
Are snow tires necessary ? There are several things to be taken into consideration before you can clearly say yes or no in answer to the question. Where you live, the type of car you drive, the standard of your driving and how comfortable you feel with your ability to drive in difficult conditions, not forgetting the law in certain states.
Most people won't go out and drive in the snow unless it is absolutely necessary so if you live in an area where you are only likely to have 4 or 5 days of snow over the winter and it is only a couple of inches deep then there is less need for you to use snow tires. However if you live in an area where there are prolonged periods of snow and ice then driving will not be an option for you, it will be a necessity so it will be essential to use snow tires.
Snow tires have a great benefit over all season tires in cold weather and for driving on snow because of the compound they are made of and the type and depth of tread that is cut into them, they are designed to remain soft and flexible and the tread is specifically cut to throw snow from the tread. This ensures that the tread is prevented from clogging up with compacted ice, therefore giving you much more surface area and point of contact with the road greatly increasing your grip, helping you to prevent getting stuck and also increasing the control you have when driving and stopping. Not only this but snow tires will help prevent aquaplaning, again because of the deeper tread and softer compound, giving you an added bonus when driving through areas where the snow has or is melting.
This does not mean that all season tires are totally useless in snowy conditions. It has been acknowledged that all season tires are perfectly suitable for driving in a couple of inches of snow if sensible driving practices are followed.
Another point to consider is the type or car, is it four wheel drive, is it front wheel drive or is it 2 wheel drive. A four wheel drive vehicle will provide significantly more grip and stability than a 2 wheel drive car and a front wheel drive car will feel and drive more easily than a rear wheel drive car but you cannot just change the drive wheels with snow tires as this will make the car very unbalanced and it would be better not to change them at all.
If you dont need to drive in thick snow, have confidence in your driving abilities and your tires are in good condition then the answer may well be no you don't need snow tires, however, if you live in an area with weeks of thick snow on the road and long cold freezing spells where you have to drive then clearly the answer would be a definite yes.
In answer to the question, are snow tires necessary, the final decision will be yours, excluding states laws, it cannot simply be answered yes or no, it will all come down to various points to consider which will provide you with your answer but if you have any doubts it is always better to err on the side of caution.
