When to choose winter and snow tires

all-weather tires

You should choose winter and snow tires when living in an area with long severe winters. In places like these, using a dedicated winter tire is recommended. Of course, the option of using all-weather tires exists. Both all-weather tires and snow and winter tires have passed testing on snow and ice and have earned the “Three Peak Mountain Snowflake” emblem on the tire’s sidewall. All-weather tires also hold this emblem, signifying their approved use in severe winter weather. The advantage of the all-weather tires is that they don’t need to be changed; they can be used year-round.

Snow and winter tires exist both in a non-studded and studded version. Which one to choose depends on what kind of winter conditions you have in the region you reside.  Studded tires are better on ice and hard-packed snow, whereas non-studded tires suffice elsewhere. There have been many advances in winter tires in recent years with better rubber compounds and more ecological studs. This helps to make winter tires more environmentally friendly than previous versions of winter tires. Even with more ecological studs, there are restrictions for their use, so it’s essential to check the laws where you live. In certain states, studded tires are not allowed at all.

Non-studded tires like the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 are less regulated than studded tires. With innovations like the “Artic sense grip concept” and snow claws, these non-studded tires rival in performance that of a studded tire. With the biobased Cryo Crystal 3 grip particles added to the rubber compound, these tires give optimal grip by grabbing the driving surface to offer a first-class winter grip. In addition, the multi-faceted snow claws further improve grip on ice and snow, especially during acceleration and braking. These tires will offer you peace of mind even in sudden snowstorms and rapidly freezing road surfaces giving a perfect balance between safety and comfort. These tires can also be used on hybrid, and electric cars allowing for the additional grip needed for braking as the hybrid and electric cars are heavier due to their battery packs. With the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3, you will enjoy excellent grip and handling on both snow and ice while still enjoying saving on fuel.

It might be a considerable advantage to place winter tires, either studded tires or non-studded tires, on your car in certain areas in the United States where the winters are severe. Some people prefer having all-season tires on their cars and changing into dedicated winter tires in the winter. Both studded and non-studded tires offer exceptional grip and traction on both snow and ice, and with the newer, more modern tires, the rolling resistance has been reduced to allow for better gas mileage. The drawback of changing tires can be facilitated by keeping the second set of wheels in the garage with a set of winter tires already mounted or using all-weather tires, as they also are approved for winter use.

For more information regarding winter and snow tires, visit: https://www.nokiantires.com/

Scroll to Top