When to buy winter tires - sooner, rather than later
We generally purchase our tires in November and December for our annual round of tire testing. That works out fine for all-season and summer tires, but getting our hands on winter tires has always been a challenge. Tire manufacturers only make so many winter tires and they generally build them in the off-season, not all year long like other tires. As a result, tire manufacturers have to gamble and estimate how many tires to make in the models and sizes they offer. Part of that guess work is better defined by marketing knowledge such as what sizes sell. But the winter tire market is influenced by the weather—something the manufacturers can not control and forecast. Severe winter conditions almost guarantee available winter tire supplies will sell out; while a mild winter could result in a lot of unsold tires that won’t find a home until the next winter.
Consumers often don’t think about purchasing winter tires until the first snow fall, particularly after experiencing the shortcomings of their year-round tires in snow and on ice. In some parts of the country, winter may arrived in October or November and in milder regions perhaps as late as December. For those who wait, tire pickings could be very limited.
Here’s our advice: Think of shopping for winter tires sooner rather than later to get the top-rated model that best fits your driving needs.
See our Ratings of car, truck, and winter tires and find the best one for your vehicle. Plus, see how we test tires.
Posted by: Pickup trucks | Dec 4, 2008 6:10:24 AM
Very nice video of tire changing. Studless snow tires are used for the majority of winter driving conditions. They are legal in all areas and are generally Q-speed rated for driving in both winter and dry conditions. The downside is they don’t handle quite as well as standard tires. Due to their set up, they must be purchased in a set of four.
Posted by: Paul Yandre | Dec 4, 2008 4:29:24 PM
I read with interest your comments on deciphering tire codes, but you did not mention anything about trailer tires, i.e. ST225/75RLRC. I believe the ST means it is for a trailer, but I am trying to find out if a LT 225/70R15C can be substitued for the afore mentioned tire. Am I correct in assuming that if the aspect ratio is just slightly less than the specified tire and the load range is equal to or higher than the original tire, I can make the susbstitution?
Posted by: John | Dec 5, 2008 11:10:10 AM
One major point I think should be addressed is tire age, when tires get old the rubber hardens
sometimes to the point they can be very dangerous. Here's my point, a friend of mine just bought a used car with very low milage, the elderly man who owned the car drove less than 2,000 miles a year. The tires on this car looked great, the tread was deep and so everyone thought they were fine. NOT
I took one look and found the tires had dry rot, small cracking between the tread and on the side walls were points overlooked by the buyer, the rubber blocks on the tread face were too hard to push a fingernail into, it felt like wood. I warned that the tires should be replaced as soon as possible.
This warning was ignored and the first time this car was driven in rain they found out the hard way that the tires were in fact BAD, they lost control trying to brake at a stop sign and skidded into the intersection, the car was totaled. No one was hurt but this could have been avoided had this point been understood. Remember, even if the tread looks deep the tires may not be safe.
Posted by: david | Dec 5, 2008 3:29:42 PM
RE: The Video
Interesting. I am also interested in know the stopping capabilities of summer tire in cold wet winter conditions versus that of the winter tire. Summer tires are supposed to be the best in warm weather, dry or wet. So, I am curious about wet cold (35F to 45F) weather conditions, as I drive my car with summer tires in the winter if the roads are clear of snow/ice and temp above freezing.