Add Chains To Your Mud Tires
The last option is to keep mud terrain tires on your vehicle year-round and use tire chains when youre driving in the snow. Chains provide maximum traction thats why, when chain controls appear on mountain highway signs, the alerts read, Chains required mud and snow tires allowed. Depending on where you live or travel, winter weather can take you by surprise much of the time. When chains are not on your vehicle, theyre in your vehicle, ready for the moment you need them. With a bit of practice, you can become comfortable getting the chains on and off your vehicle as quickly as the pros do.
If youre using mud tires on your vehicle, youre clearly the outdoorsy type. Chains are the most versatile option for getting you where you want to go, so you can enjoy all that winter weather brings.
Check out all the tire chains available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. For more information on winter driving, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store.
Photos courtesy of Mike Hagerty and Pixabay.
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Ultimately The Tire Choice Is Up To You
But tires are, effectively, a safety device and you should educate yourself on which tire type is right for you, your driving conditions, and your vehicle.
But, lets put it this way: If you dont live somewhere that gets under 45 degrees F, an all-season tire can still be a good choice due to its versatility. If youre looking for the upper echelon of cornering, go with a summer tire.
If you live somewhere cold and snowy, the best option is having a dedicated set of summer and winter tires. But if you dont want to swap out tires in the cold, take a look at the burgeoning all-weather segment with better snow performance.
And if you have a truck, SUV, or a CUV, an all-terrain tire is a fantastic choice if you venture off the pavement from time to time. And check out all-terrains with the 3PMSF rating if you venture into cold, snowy situations.
There really is a tire for every vehicle out there. Arming yourself with a bit of knowledge will ensure that you get the right rubber for your ride.
By Andy Lilienthal
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The Best All Terrain Tires For Snow And Mud
Whether you drive a truck or SUV, having the right tires that fit the type of driving you do can help your tires last longer and improve gas mileage. Most drivers with light trucks and SUVs alike benefit from all-terrainroad tires because they are the best. All-terrain tires for snow and mud are designed to traverse both rough terrain and paved roads as well as wet or icy road conditions.
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Benefits Of Using All Terrain Tires
While all-terrain tires are a great choice for many drivers if you take your vehicle offroading more than you commute, mud terrain tires are the way to go. That being said, most drivers benefit from having tires that are versatile enough to withstand both paved and unpaved roads. The following is a list of benefits of using all-terrain tires for your commuting and offroading needs.
Adaptability is by far the #1 reason drivers choose all-terrain tires, as they are compatible with most road surfaces. This is a top benefit if you want to be able to drive through snow, mud, dirt, etc. while also being able to cruise smoothly on dry paved roads.
all-terrain tires have an added benefit of being tougher than your average tire, with reinforced sidewalls that make these tires harder to puncture and scrape.
If you commute frequently, these tires will take you where you need to go without you having to stop every 100 miles for gas.
The tread on all-terrain tires is designed to give maximum road traction on the freeway as well as on dirt roads. From a safety standpoint as well as ride comfort, this benefit cannot be overlooked. Traction is incredibly important to have in order to get through mud and snow especially.
The versatility of this tire can save you money due to the fact that you dont need a separate set of tires or a separate vehicle just for offroading.
Comparing The Performance Snow Tires Vs All
Most vehicles come with all-season tires right off the factory lot because these tires provide a relatively quiet ride with good read life and reliable year-round performance. All-season tires offer versatile performance and are designed to deliver exceptional performance in a variety of conditions, including light winters, wet roads, and dusty roads.
To deliver this well-rounded performance in all driving conditions, these tires have to give up optimal performance in extreme weather conditions like cold and snow. This means that these tires are not available to provide the same level of grip and handling as snow tires. The usability of these tires depends on the conditions and requirements.
This article explores the differences between snow tires and all-season tires and gives insight into the pros and cons of each type.
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Winter Tires Last Longer If Properly Maintained
Another advantage of Winter Tires is that you only use them for a few months instead of year-round, which allows you to re-use them from 4 to 5 seasons. If you go for seasonal change, remember that you need to store the spare set in a cool and dry place. Each tire should be kept in an individual air tight bag and stored vertically.
When Should You Get All
All-terrain tires are technically more versatile, so there are many conditions where you should look at them. The first step is the type of car you drive, which is the most crucial. If you own a sedan or a hatchback, then all-terrain tires are off the table, as you wont be driving your car in off-roading conditions.
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What Is The 3
The 3-peak snowflake rating, aka 3PMSF rating, is approved by the Rubber Manufacturers Association to indicate that a particular tire meets all the test requirements for use in winter conditions.
Unlike regular all-terrain tires, products bearing the 3PMSF symbol have maximum traction in deep snow. The ratings rely on acceleration test results and do not reflect the braking and steering capabilities of the tires.
The snowflake symbol is an important feature that buyers need to consider if they plan on using the tires for winter driving. It implies that these tires will perform well under the biting cold with remarkable responsiveness to steering controls.
These tires will maneuver through deep snow and ice without spinning or losing contact with the slushy surface. The ratings signify that the rubber product will remain flexible. Tires lacking the snowflake symbol will harden at temperatures below 4 degrees Centigrade.
Cornering can be a challenge when the tires maintain a small contact area with the road surface. During winter, layers of snow occupy the space between tires and the tarmac. As such, the tires will remain virtually afloat.
The 3PMSF symbol on the sidewalls of all-terrain tires is not any mere decoration. They indicate that the tires have advanced capabilities, optimized tread patterns, and long-lasting treadwear ratings to allow you to drive comfortably and safely in severe winter.
What Are The Cons Of Snow Tires
The Cons of Snow Tires They’re only meant to be driven in the winter. If you drive with snow tires on year round, you can damage the tire and the road think potholes and cracked roads. Poor Handling Snow tires might offer great braking and grip, but they don’t handle as well as all-season tires.
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Winter Tires Need A Replacement Set For Other Seasons
On the other hand, winter tires need replacement when the roads clear up, which double your acquisition costs. Adding $75 twice a year for the actual changing of tires, and it may seem expensive to fine-tune your vehicle every season. Nonetheless, depending on their life span, it might prove that keeping separate sets of tires isnt more expensive.
Goodyear Ultra Grip Wrt Lt
Represented the older technology of the studded winter pickup tire segment. The E-rated Ultra Grip WRT utilizes a specialized ice tread compound that provides enhanced traction on ice and snow-covered roads. Although it has fewer sipes in the tread blocks than the Blizzak and wider grooves/voids between the blocks, it performed nearly identical with a combined average of just 1.3 feet more than the Blizzak.
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What To Look For When Choosing All
There are several factors that drivers should evaluate before purchasing all-terrain tires for snow. Budget aside, the choice of the tire has to be safe for driving over wet, snowy roads. Tires have a myriad of information on their sidewalls. Of particular concern is the rating of the tire for winter use. Watch out for the M+S and 3PMSF ratings.
Gaining real economic value from your tires means purchasing sets that will last long irrespective of the driving surface. The size of tread blocks, tread patterns, and groove depth determine the durability of the tires. Tires with a higher treadwear rating are likely to last longer, although driving behavior may lead to premature tire damage.
Subjecting highway or summer tires to snow exposes drivers to several safety risks. Winter conditions can be treacherous. The low temperatures deform and stiffen rubber material, making it hard for the tires to respond to steering controls. When shopping for all-terrain snow tires, consider evaluating the composition of the rubber material.
Sidewalls play a vital role when it comes to traction on slippery or slushy roads. Pay close attention to sidewall design features such as sidewall lugs. Check the treads to evaluate the depth of sipes as they provide additional biting edges on loose surfaces.
Yokohama Geolander A/t G015
If you need a reliable all-terrain tire at a budget price, you should add the Yokohama Geolander A/T G015 to your shopping cart. The tire grips well on dry and wet roads. Seriously, it can withstand off-road challenges while providing a long tread life.
Yokohama Geolander A/T G015 Highlights:
For those who dont know, the tire has earned the severe snow handling certification, which explains why it drives so well on snowy or icy surfaces. This bad boy is totally ready to keep up with your next adventurous trip. The best part is that this tire will remain unaffected by its competition because of how good it is. Its durability is actually better than other tires from more recognized brands. The tire also lowers rolling resistance, saving you some gas money in the process.
Pros:
- Developed specifically for light trucks and SUVs
- Has triple SD sipes to boost the tires life
- Offers relentless grip even on slippery surfaces
- Doesnt get bumpier when you drive fast
- Remains almost whisper-quiet on the road
Cons:
- Sidewalls are prone to cuts
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Are M+s Tires Better For Mud Or Snow Or Both
M+S tires have been designed to deal effectively with both mud and snow. Its hard to truly say whether M+S tires are better for mud or snow. In general, M+S tires should be used in light snow and moderately muddy conditions.
Mud and snow tires differ slightly from winter tires as they work best in lighter snow. Winter tires have been designed to handle deep snow and icy conditions. Although M+S tires are great for the snow, it is best to choose a winter tire if you live in a climate where theres likely to be deep snow or very icy roads for much of the winter.
If you are into off-roading and plan to drive through very muddy and boggy areas, you may like to buy mud-terrain tires as these are designed to handle muddier conditions then M+S tires.
When purchasing M+S tires, you must choose the right size of tire for your car. Consult your owners manual to see what size of tire you need. Its essential that you get the right size of tire, as this will have an effect on performance.
If your car has a tire thats even slightly too small or large, its likely that they wont provide the advantages that you need in muddy or snowy conditions. Tires that are not the correct size for your vehicle will wear out sooner than they should and may also cause mechanical problems.
This video wasnt specifically designed for Americans but its still helpful nonetheless:
Best All Terrain Tires For Snow And Ice
All terrain tires for snow and ice are designed to provide excellent traction and stability in winter conditions. They typically feature large, deep treads with aggressive tread patterns that can bite into snow and ice, and they may also be studded for even better traction.
Some all terrain tires for snow and ice are also designed to be used with chains for even more traction.
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What Are Snow Tires
Snow tires, on the other hand, are designed specifically for road use in winter conditions. The rubber compound is the key aspect of these tires as its designed only for lower temperatures, and most winter tires are recommended to be used below 45 degrees.
Next up is the tread pattern, which is a key area that enables snow tires to be very good on snow. In most cases, they feature a zig-zag pattern allowing them to bite into snow and deliver traction. Keep in mind that even though we call them snow tires, theyll have absolutely no problems delivering performance on dry or wet roads.
As part of the winter tire category, there are studless and studdable tires, and Im guessing you know where this is going. The studless ones are regular winter tires, capable of offering excellent performance in all winter conditions and usable performance on ice. Studdable ones are the tires that can be fitted with studs for the absolute best performance on ice, but without them, you are still getting superior winter performance.
What To Look For In All
Size: First of all, make sure you order the correct size tire for your vehicle and rims
Snow Performance: All-terrain tires can be used in the snow. They do not need to be swapped for winter tires. But they aren’t as good for the wet stuff as specially-designed winter snow tires. Look for tires with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol , which are rated for performance in severe snowy conditions.
Durability: All-terrain tires should last for around 40,000 miles, which is more than MT tires. But they are softer and less durable than standard road tires, which can last for around 60,000 or longer. You also want tires with robust sidewalls to avoid punctures.
On-Road Performance: All-terrain tires are designed for road use. But because of their block tread patterns, all-terrain tires tend to be louder than all-season tires. The higher the tire quality, the less that is likely to be an issue. All-terrain tires can also be less grippy than road tires on pavement and affect gas mileage. If you primarily use your truck on the highway and never go off-road, all-season tires may be the better choice.
- Absorption layer and acoustic tread pattern provide better ride quality
- Stone bumpers help eject rocks and debris
- Can add studs for extra ice and snow traction
- Some reviewers have complained about noise level
- Warranty: 6 years/ $60,000 miles
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Is It Worth Getting Snow Tires
Tests conducted by Canada’s Traffic Industry Research Foundation showed that winter tires provide superior traction, braking and cornering in all cold-weather driving conditions compared to an all-season tire. We’re talking better traction whether the road surface is snow-covered, icy, wet or even dry.
Important Note About Your Vehicle
The manufacturer of your vehicle has specified vehicle-specific tires. Although your vehicle will fit other tires not specially designed for your vehicle, your manufacturers warranty may be impacted if you purchase non vehicle specific tires. If you have any questions, please contact us for help.
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Bottom Line: What Is The Best Snow Tire For Trucks
Between driving the twisting road course and the straight-line testing, it’s no surprise the dedicated snow tires, whether studless or studded, come out leading the way compared to the other tread types. We loved the studless snow tires’ performance.
What we learned from this comparison between tread types is tires that keep snow packed into the tread face provide better traction than those that eject it. You can’t beat dedicated snow tires for snow traction. All-terrains with the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake rating are a good compromise if you can’t find dedicated snow tires to fit your 4×4. Owners of four-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicles concerned with maximizing vehicle control and minimizing the risk of accidents should keep that in mind when thinking about making bi-seasonal tire changes. For those who are content to stick with the tires they are currently running, our test should provide a new level of expectation for your tread type when encountering winter driving conditions.