Do I Need to Buy Winter Tires in Virginia?
The weather outside may not be frightful, but ‘tis the season to deck the cars for a winter wonderland!
Whether you’re a Virginia native or a new resident, you may be wondering if you need to buy winter tires. We’re here to help! Keep reading to find out our recommendation for which tires to choose for your car this season.
Winter Tires vs. All-Season Tires vs. Summer Tires
There are three primary tire options available: winter, summer and all-season tires.
Winter tires, also called snow tires, are engineered for peak performance in snow, ice and cold temperatures.
Tire rubber becomes less pliable as the temperature falls, which impairs handling and traction. But winter tires have a rubber compound designed to deliver excellent performance below 45º. Winter tires also have deep tread grooves, special tread patterns and cuts in the tread (called sipes) that “bite” into the ice and snow to improve traction.
However, at temperatures above 45º, winter tires become very soft and wear down very quickly.
Summer tires are often called performance or high-performance tires because they offer the best overall handling and traction. They win in every dry and wet driving test—until it gets cold. At temperatures below 45º, their performance is severely compromised.
All-season tires are sometimes called a “jack of all trades, master of none.” These versatile tires provide good performance in wet, dry and wintry conditions, providing the perfect combination of winter and summer tires.
All-season tires perform better than summer tires in the winter and better than winter tires in the summer, making them the optimal choice for most drivers because they can leave them on year-round.
However, to achieve their year-round capability, all-season tires have to give up some winter/summer performance. Think of all-season tires like tennis shoes. You can wear tennis shoes all year, but sandals would be better in the summer and boots would be better in the winter.
Do I Need to Buy Winter Tires in Virginia?
Because of their all-around performance, most new cars are outfitted with all-season tires. And at Virginia Tire & Auto, we believe they’re the most sensible tire replacement when you’re dealing with Virginia’s unpredictable weather. Here’s why.
Mild Winters
Unless you live in the Appalachians or regularly venture to the frigid Northeast U.S., you will likely only experience winter conditions a few days a year.
When we do get snow here in Northern Virginia, it’s usually just a few inches and the road crews are able to keep the roads clear.
And when we do get a lot of snow, schools, stores and offices often close until the worst is past, making it easier to wait out the weather at home.
Temperature Fluctuations
In Virginia, the temperature can fluctuate wildly in the winter. One day it may be 25º with snow chances, and the next day will have highs in the 60s!
Winter tires wear down really fast in temperatures over 45º. So, if we have a warm spell, you’ll experience accelerated wear on your winter tires.
Cost
A new set of winter tires is usually $500–$1,200. And rather than paying to get your tires re-mounted and re-balanced every time you swap tires, it’s easiest to buy another set of wheels for your winter tires—more $$$ out of your wallet.
For most Virginia drivers, the cost of buying winter tires and the hassle of swapping your tires aren’t worth it for just a few wintry days each year.
We believe that all-season tires are a safe, economical choice for winter driving in Virginia. That said, alternating between winter tires and summer tires is not a bad choice. It’s up to you to choose which tires make you feel safest on the road.
Whether you need a new set of all-season tires or you would feel more comfortable outfitting your car with winter tires, we would be glad to help you make the best tire purchase for your vehicle. Give us a call or drop by to speak with a tire expert!
Read: The Winter Driving Checklist Every Driver Needs
Best All-Season Tires for Snow
If you don’t want to buy winter tires but are concerned about driving in winter weather, consider purchasing all-season tires that are rated well for winter driving.
We offer several great options in our VTA Tire Collection! Shop online or talk to a tire expert for a personalized recommendation.
A newer option that has recently emerged is the “all-weather tire.” All-weather tires offer a middle ground between all-season and winter tires. They are rated for severe snow and offer better traction and handling in cold weather than all-season tires.
(Pictured: Goodyear’s Assurance WeatherReady tires are an all-weather tire rated for severe snow.)
Check Your Tread
No matter what special features your tires have, if they have low tread depth, you’ll be slipping and sliding in the snow. Having an adequate tread depth is important for everyday driving, and it becomes even more important in snowy, icy and wet conditions.
Tests run by Consumer Reports showed that all-season tires with half their tread left (about 5/32” to 6/32”), performed worse in slick conditions than full-tread tires. They found a
- 5% decrease in snow traction
- 8% decrease in hydroplaning resistance
- 8% decrease in wet braking ability
So make sure to check your tires soon and replace them if they’re getting low.
Read: How to Tell if You Need New Tires
The minimum allowed tread depth in Virginia is 2/32”, but we recommend replacing summer tires and all-season tires at 4/32” and winter tires at 6/32”. Winter tires’ deeper grooves provide better traction, but that means that they lose their effectiveness once their tread gets down to 6/32”.
Tire Savings Made Easy at Virginia Tire & Auto
Maximize your budget when you shop at Virginia Tire & Auto! With manufacturer rebates, exclusive tire sales, our best-price guarantee and a benefit-packed installation package, we promise you’ll get the best deal on tires with us! Check out our latest tire offers here or ask an associate for more information.