We know SUVs are built for some of the worst road conditions, but often, it becomes a point of debate when it comes to driving in the snow. Does SUV need winter tires? Many folks will argue if winter tires really work and are worth it.
For all types of vehicles, including 4X4 trucks and SUVs, winter tires provide a significant overall winter performance advantage. Without good winter tires, even the best 4X4 and all-wheel drive vehicles are unfit for winter driving. Generally, the 4X4 and all-wheel drive traction systems require a specific amount of traction in order to work well. The mechanisms are rendered essentially ineffective if the tires do not give that amount of traction.
Does SUV Need Winter Tires?
Ever since the first SUV, large and wide tries are standard in Sport Utility Vehicles. But unlike less wide tires, they’re not as efficient at digging through the snow. Hence, they can cause your vehicle to start sliding uncontrollably when you’re steering and braking maneuvers.
Winter tires include special tread features that help the car track straighter through the circumstances by cutting through layers of winter road precipitation more effectively.
Do Winter Tires Really Work?
Winter tires are designed differently from regular tires. They have three distinct characteristics: tread rubber, tread depth and patterns, and biting edges, which have thousands of small slits in the tread. As a result, in the most challenging, dangerous, and stressful winter driving conditions, they are your first line of defense.
Just as much as any other type of vehicle would need winter tires for true winter driving safety and total vehicle control, 4X4 trucks and SUVs need them. Their high-quality materials and studs provide traction on ice. To learn more about their functions, look at the image below.
Is It Worth Getting Winter Tires?
Winter tires are made to provide increased traction in wet and snowy weather. It’s considerably easier to drive up and down hills in bad weather with winter tires than it is with summer tires. Whether driving at 20 mph or 50 mph, the automobile feels more stable.
Many drivers choose all-season tires because they believe they will save money by not having to buy winter tires when the seasons change. However, most manufacturers advise you should replace your tires often when doing routine maintenance, and you risk wearing them out too soon if you leave them on all year.
Failure to install winter tires jeopardizes your safety while also increasing the wear and strain on your vehicle as it struggles to cope in different driving conditions. Winter tires are the same price as regular tires, depending on the brand, make, and model of your car, as well as the installation fee.
Pros and Cons of Snow Tires
Pros of Snow Tires:
1. Better grip
During a harsh winter, you can’t rely on anything but snow tires for your cars. Winter tires provide the best traction in slippery or snowy situations. Maximum traction is ensured by a combination of hard studs, grippier rubber, and deep treads.
2. Superior braking
Braking hard while driving with an ordinary tire in bad weather conditions can cause skidding. However, since performance winter tires are able to dig deep, you can break as hard as you want.
3. Longer Life For Regular Tires
When you swap out winter tires for regular tires, you’re ensuring that the regular ones last longer because they’re not subjected to harsh conditions that they can’t handle. Furthermore, it’s a great way to save money in the long run.
Cons of Snow Tires:
1. Tough on roads
Snow tires’ hard and solid grip can cause substantial damage to road asphalt. If you don’t replace your winter tires when the winter season is gone, you’ll rip up any road you drive on.
2. Comparatively fragile
Winter tires for cars wear out more quickly than regular tires due to their softer rubber. In addition, using them in normal conditions will permanently ruin the tread. Use all-season tires for durability unless absolutely necessary.
3. Poor Handling
Snow tires do not provide as accurate handling as all-season tires. When driving with winter tires on, you must be more cautious.
How Much Does a Set of Snow Tires Cost?
The cost of snow tires varies by brand. However, without discount, you should expect to pay around $150 for each car snow tire (that’s $600 for a full set) and around $200 for each SUV/truck snow tire (that’s $800 for a full set).
While this may be an extra thousand dollars to many drivers, winter tires will prolong the life of your original tires and keep them out from some years of service. Also, in the event of an accident, a good set of winter tires could be the difference between life and death.
Should you get 2 or 4 snow tires?
Four winter tires are advised for all vehicles, whether they are rear-wheel, front-wheel, or four-wheel drive. When you only change two of your regular tires to snow tires, your vehicle will behave in two ways. In dry, wet, slush, snow, and ice conditions, one end of your vehicle reacts and performs differently than the other.
Can I Drive with All-Season Tires in Winter?
All-season tires are closely modeled from summer climates than winter climates. Their grooves and patterns may function in wet, humid conditions, but the rubber’s thickness is no match for frozen or dry ice. You run the risk of losing control of your vehicle if you don’t have winter tires.
Final Words
Does SUV need winter tires?
In a nutshell, the answer is yes. Winter tires were created to perform exceptionally well in temperatures below 7 degrees Celsius Their rubber compositions and other components used in production make them flexible. As such, they’ll do a great job in enhancing vehicle handling and abrupt stopping or braking, even if there isn’t snow.
