| It is a priority to have traction and stopping power, no | | | | conditions. However, snow tires shouldn't be used on |
| matter the weather conditions in which you find | | | | dry road surfaces because they will create a lot of |
| yourself traveling. Selecting the proper tires for your | | | | noise and a rough ride. The treads on snow tires are |
| vehicle and your climate can help you get the absolute | | | | big and blocky, as to provide traction on snowy, slick |
| best performance out of your driving. | | | | roadways. Some snow tires that are studded and |
| Generally, you'll want to make sure you choose a tire | | | | designed for a large amount of snow driving are not |
| that will give you a wide rubber contact with the road. | | | | permitted to be used on dry asphalt because they |
| The larger surface area of the tire will provide you | | | | tend to be tough on road surfaces and can cause |
| with more grip and traction, which is needed when | | | | damage. Usually, people who live in snowy conditions |
| taking corners, braking or accelerating. You'll notice that | | | | will have a set of tires for the summer and a set of |
| race cars use wide, slick tires. Obviously, this type of | | | | tires for the winter. |
| tire is not ideal for everyday driving on roads and | | | | For most people, All Season (or All Weather) tires will |
| streets, but you can see why the added contact is | | | | provide the best fit for their vehicle and their driving |
| needed to ensure safe driving at high speeds. A | | | | conditions. The design of all season tires take into |
| consumer tire will have grooves and treading on the | | | | account dry, wet and snow driving conditions - giving |
| surface to allow for the pushing away of water and | | | | you the best possible traction for each. People who |
| give the tire surface better contact with the road. | | | | live in moderate climates that see a little bit of snow |
| The tread will be different on each type of tire. There | | | | and a normal amount of rain - such as Richmond, VA |
| are certain tread designs that work best in rainy and | | | | and other mid-Atlantic regions - should use all season |
| wet conditions, snow conditions and dry conditions. | | | | tires. All season tires do not provide racing-style |
| Tires have to be able to safely handle the many | | | | traction, but do offer a compromise between traction |
| different climates and weather severity that people | | | | in rainy conditions and in dry conditions. Also, they are |
| face all year long. Treads will also differ from SUVs | | | | designed to handle travel in light snow. |
| and trucks to cars because a tire has to be designed | | | | Your vehicle's tires are the only part of the vehicle that |
| to properly carry the weight of the vehicle. | | | | touches the road. Make sure you choose the proper |
| When you are shopping for new tires, you'll need to | | | | and safest tires for your vehicle and your driving |
| take into consideration the climate in which you live. If | | | | conditions. You'll get the best traction in any weather |
| you live in a snowy climate, you may opt to buy a set | | | | condition if you select the tire tread that is right for |
| of snow tires that are ideal for traveling in wintery | | | | your climate. |