4 Reasons You Need Snow Tires This Winter

Winter is just around the corner in North Carolina. At this time of year, drivers are considering whether they should continue to use all-season tires or switch over to snow tires for the winter. The choice, however, is simple. If you’re planning to road trip to a snowy region, or you just want a precaution, change your tires over to winter tires for the season. With a small investment up front, you can protect your car, keep yourself safe, and be more confident in your vehicle during winter’s worst weather events.

1. Snow Tires Make All the Difference

There is a measurable difference in the effectiveness of new and used winter tires compared to new and used all-season tires. Even used winter tires can stop 10 feet sooner than brand-new all-season tires. All-season tires nearing the end of their useful life can sometimes stop 20 feet later than winter tires.

While having an extra set of tires can take up room in your garage, and it’s an extra investment, both your winter and all-season tires will last longer as a result. Your winter tires will make it through several shorter North Carolina wintersm, and the all-seasons may get an extra year of useful life when not being asked to drive on slippery roads.

2. Winter Still Comes to North Carolina

While the state is not known for brutal winters that deliver over 100 inches of snow regularly, Wilson and surrounding areas in North Carolina still receive a measurable amount of snow each year. Some years are worse than others. There are several recorded accounts of snowfall totals over 6 inches.

Because the state isn’t known for severe winter weather, there isn’t as much budgeted for road crews during winter storms. This means it may take longer for roads to get sanded and cleared of snow, and if your tires aren’t prepared for winter weather, it could be dangerous.

3. Four-wheel Drive Is Not the Answer

One thing that many people think solves the need for winter tires is four-wheel drive. While four-wheel drive helps with traction, it’s not as helpful when attempting to stop, at which point all cars use four wheels to stop. So it can help you drive through the snow better, but can’t help you stop like a winter tire can. If having four-wheel drive makes you drive more assertively in poor weather, you may be put in a situation where there isn’t enough room to stop safely.

4. Snow Tires Are a Great Insurance Policy

For a relatively small investment, you can put snow tires on your car, which will improve your handling in winter conditions dramatically. This can be the difference in preventing accidents on the road, your fault or otherwise. The cost of snow tires for a few years is likely less than the cost of your insurance deductible, so take preventative measures and save yourself some money on insurance with a record free of claims.

Winters in Wilson, North Carolina, aren’t known for being particularly brutal, but in the event that snow does arrive, make sure your car is equipped with snow tires beforehand. Having snow tires installed on your car will not only improve your stopping distance by up to 20 feet, but it will also help both sets of tires last longer.