Snow tires & general vehicle winterization can seem like an unnecessary annual expense, especially if you’re trying to stick to a strict budget. There are, however, a number of good reasons why you should invest in snow tires every year. Check out these tips from the professionals at Robertson’s Auto Salvage explaining exactly why snow tires are important for your safety and for the wellbeing of your vehicle!

Snow tires are manufactured with specialized materials

Standard tires are made from rubber compounds that can start to harden at about 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The colder it gets, the harder this material tends to become. Inflexible tires don’t grip roadways the way they are supposed to, increasing the risk of an accident. Snow tires are crafted with special rubber compounds that remain flexible up to temperatures of -20 degrees Fahrenheit!

Snow tires have the best traction

Snow tires are engineered with traction in mind, so they typically feature deep grooves and “siping,” which are small, horizontal slashes. This type of tread allows snow tires to grip icy roads more easily, especially when drivers are braking at times when the risk of slipping and sliding is highest. 

Snow tires lead to more effective braking

As mentioned above, braking can be a serious problem when people are driving in the snow. This is particularly true at night and when black ice is present on the roads. Because snow tires are designed to stay flexible in cold temperatures, your vehicle is less likely to run off the road or into a guardrail, even if you accidentally brake too hard. 

Snow tires can prevent hydroplaning

As snow starts melting and turning to slush, the risk of hydroplaning skyrockets. Snow tires are specifically made to help prevent hydroplaning, as they feature specialized grooves that help push excess water away. This keeps your automobile going straight ahead & where you are steering it. 

Snow tires can move through snow

This might seem like an obvious perk of having snow tires put on your car, but it’s still important to keep in mind. If you live in an area that typically gets a lot of snow, there might be days you can’t even get your vehicle out of your driveway with normal tires, and no one wants to deal with that. Snow tires, though, are likely to be able to power through small drifts to get you where you need to be on a daily basis. 

The more effort you put into winterizing your vehicle, the less likely you are to have an accident when winter weather strikes. Overall, spending money on snow tires, specialized windshield wipers, and other related items will probably cost a lot less than a wreck would! Additionally, you can get these parts & more for discounted prices at an auto salvage yard. Even with insurance, you could find yourself with medical bills and other costs following a car crash that are not worth it. For both peace of mind and physical safety, vehicle winterization is a great choice.