Winter Tires

Nothing is a substitute for four winter tires on your vehicle. Not four-wheel/all-wheel drive, not two winter tires, and not having awesome winter driving skills. While other factors are important, the coefficient of friction is chiefly what determines your ability to decelerate, accelerate, and turn your vehicle. When temperatures fall below 7 Celsius (45 F), winter tires begin to grip the road better than all seasons because winter tires are softer at lower temperatures and can still mold to the grooves of the road when all seasons have become rigid.

If you are driving in winter conditions (near or below freezing), install four winter tires. Do not give into the temptation to say "I have four wheel drive" or "I know how to handle winter driving" or "two winter tires are enough." If you give into that temptation, it is more likely that you will crash.

Here are some examples of how important winter tires are:

1. Introduction

2. Two all-wheel drive trucks: 4 all-seasons vs. 4 winters. Braking, cornering tests

3. Two rear-wheel drive cars: 4 all-seasons vs. 4 winters, 2 all-seasons/2 winters vs. 4 winters. Braking, cornering tests

4. Rear-wheel car vs. rear-wheel truck: 4 all-seasons vs. 4 winters, 2 all-seasons/2-winters vs. 4 winters. Braking, cornering tests (+ car swap)

5. Two front wheel cars: 4 all-seasons vs. 4 winters, 4 winters vs. 2 all-seasons/2 winters. Breaking, cornering tests (+ car swap)

6. Conclusion: "Winter tires on wheels is the best setup for winter driving conditions."