Learn the Secrets Behind How Winter Tires Work

How Do Winter Tires Work?

Winter driving conditions present a fresh set of challenges each season. Snow- or ice-covered roads can be extra hazardous; visibility can be reduced, and all of these things can happen with little to no warning. Having a quality set of winter tires on your car, truck, or SUV goes a long way toward mitigating those problems. So, how do winter tires work? Basically, winter tires use a different type of rubber and employ a more aggressive tread pattern to maintain traction and handling on winter roads. Follow along while we lay out some helpful information.

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What Exactly Are Winter Tires?

At the most basic level, winter tires use a special rubber formulation that can remain soft and pliable at temperatures below 7° C. By remaining soft in the cold, the tires can maintain a stronger grip on the road and shorten braking distance. Additionally, winter tires are most easily identified by the three-peak mountain with a snowflake symbol on the sidewall.

Tread Patterns for Winter Tires

There are different kinds of winter tires for different types of vehicles and applications. The most common features found on most winter tires include:

• Winter tires feature deep grooves that channel and pack snow, improving traction because snow grips to snow better than rubber does.
• Aggressive tread blocks are shaped to cut through slush and maintain consistent contact with the road.
• Sipes (thin slits across the tread) create thousands of small biting edges that grip icy surfaces.

These elements work together to enhance starting, stopping, and turning performance in winter conditions.

Winter Tires vs. All-Season Tires

Most automakers deliver vehicles to dealerships with all-season tires. These are a great option for most of the year, but they simply can’t hold up in harsh winter driving conditions. A summary of winter tires versus all-season tires includes:

• All-season tires stiffen in cold weather, losing grip and increasing braking distances.
• Winter tires remain soft and flexible in freezing temperatures, maintaining better road contact.
• Winter tire treads are deeper, wider, and denser with sipes, giving them clear advantages on snow and ice.
• All-season tires are designed for versatility, but not optimized for winter, especially below 7°C.
• Winter tires consistently offer shorter stopping distances, better traction, and improved control in cold-weather conditions.

The Fairley & Stevens Ford Service and Parts Departments should be your first and last stop in your search for winter tires. If you’ve been putting off your seasonal tire swap, now is the time to make an appointment with our team.