Winter Tires vs. All-Season Tires

If you’re concerned about safety on the road when the weather turns cold, comparing winter tires vs. all-season tires is a wise decision. Most vehicles are outfitted with all-season tires from the factory, and for good reason! All-season tires offer strong capabilities for many weather conditions, a quiet ride, and strong tread life. That said, since all-season tires are made to offer year-round performance, some sacrifices inevitably must be made.

If summer tires are your sandals and all-season tires are your favorite sneakers, then winter tires are your trusty boots. While you don’t always want to wear your boots when you’re out and about in Lincoln, they become critical when trudging through snow and ice. The same is true for winter tires! Below, you can review our service tips to learn more about tire pressure in winter, winter tire storage, and other tire information to keep you safe on the Seward streets.

Benefits of Winter Tires & When to Put Them On Your Car

If you live in a climate where snow and ice are uncommon, all-season tires will likely get you through the winter months. However, here in the Omaha area, snow, ice, flurries, and other winter weather hazards are all too familiar for several months out of the year. So, are winter tires worth it? Absolutely! Winter tires are crafted especially for tough weather conditions, with unique design elements you won’t find on all-season tires:

• Special Tread Rubber: Winter tires are built with a specially-formulated rubber that remains flexible in cold weather. This ensures that your tires can grip the road long after the leaves have fallen.
• Unique Tread Depth & Pattern: The deep treads on snow tires reduce snow build-up and offer traction. Along with that, winter tires offer a unique pattern that expels snow, slush, ice, and water.
• Biting Edges: When you scan a winter tire with your eyes, you’ll notice many small slits in the tread. These biting edges provide improved grip on icy roads.

Winter Driving Tips: Tire Pressure, Safe Habits, & More!

Generally, you can expect your vehicle to require tire pressure somewhere in the mid-30s. For tire pressure in winter, you’ll want to add 3-5 extra psi to account for the loss of air caused by the cold weather. Along with keeping your tires properly inflated, there are other ways to stay safe on winter roads:

• Drive at a conservative pace
• Leave a wide gap between you and the vehicles ahead of you
• Keep up with all service to ensure your vehicle is fit for winter roads
• Show extra caution at intersections, stop signs, and shady areas
• Avoid cruise control
• Keep an eye out for black ice

Winter Tire Storage Tips

If you’re going to be swapping out your tires as the seasons change, you’ll want to care for them properly. Luckily, you can take on winter tire storage in just four steps:

• Clean the Tires: When you put your tires away for the season, cleaning them is essential. Use a cleaning solution and a brush to scrub your tires free of debris, dirt, brake dust, and more. Proper cleaning prevents corrosion while your tires are in storage.

• Identify Your Storage Space: The goal when storing tires is to find an indoor spot that’s clean and free from major temperature swings. Ideally, you want to store your tires in a climate-controlled space.

• Cover Each Tire: You want to store your tires in opaque, airtight, individual bags. You can find tire storage bags in stores and online, and you can use a vacuum to remove the excess air.

• Stack the Tires: If you’re storing your tires without the rims, lay them flat and stack them on top of each other. If you prefer to leave the rims on your tires, place them next to each other vertically. Regardless of the storage method, rotate the position every month to prevent undue stress and strain.

Care for Your Vehicle at Sid Dillon Ford Crete

Now that you know about some of the differences between winter tires vs. all-season tires, you’re equipped to make smart decisions for your vehicle as the seasons change. Whether you want to learn more about tire pressure in winter or winter tire storage, we have you covered! In fact, our service guides cover a wide range of topics from tire rotations to the importance of oil changes. Rely on Sid Dillon Ford Crete for all things automotive!