| When you are making decisions about your car or | | | | coldest months. Check your local regulations in |
| motorcycle, one of the first things to choose is | | | | any case, since metal stud tires are banned in 10 |
| the correct tire for your driving conditions. While | | | | states. |
| this decision is important year round, it is of | | | | Remember to ensure that all of the tires you |
| extreme importance during the winter months | | | | have installed at the same time are all of the |
| when weather turns cold and snow and ice can | | | | same measurements. That is to say, that each |
| be very common. Having the wrong tire in these | | | | one is of the same size, tread, and type. Having |
| situations can be a question of life and death. But | | | | tires of different type, size, or tread can result in |
| thankfully choosing the right tire is not difficult, if | | | | a loss of traction on slippery winter roads. |
| you follow certain steps. | | | | Never equip your car with tires that are too big |
| The first step in choosing the correct winter tire | | | | for it. Tires that are too large than those |
| is to see what sort of tire, that is, what size and | | | | recommended in the manufacturer's guidebook |
| types of tires, your car's manufacturer has | | | | may damage your car's fenders or suspension, or |
| recommended for your car. You can find this | | | | just make it handle miserably. |
| information in the owner's manual that came with | | | | The difference between snow tires and regular |
| your car. Then head to your local tire dealer and | | | | tires is in the tread. Snow tires are made with |
| purchase snow or mud tires appropriate to your | | | | wide spaces between their treads, giving them |
| car and have them installed. Tires like these, ones | | | | something like cleats to grab into snow with and |
| without metal studs manufactured into them, help | | | | maintain traction, whereas all season tires are |
| your vehicle handle slick winter roads and can be | | | | made with narrower treads. Narrower treads can |
| used on public highways. | | | | proved a quieter ride, but they cannot ride well on |
| If you live in an area with an extreme climate, | | | | the snow. |
| where tires with metal studs are allowed during | | | | If you don't want to install snow tires, or you do |
| the height of the winter months, you will likely | | | | not live in an area that merits them all the time, |
| have to purchase two sets of tires. The first set, | | | | you might want to consider tire chains. Chains can |
| as outlined above, that has no metal studs, and a | | | | greatly enhance the traction of tires. As always, |
| second set, which does have metal studs, for the | | | | ensure that the chain is properly fitted to your |
| iciest parts of the year. Later in the winter | | | | car's tires, since improperly fitted chains will not |
| season, you will likely have to change your tires | | | | work properly, damaging your car or |
| back to the rubber tires, since in most areas | | | | malfunctioning. |
| metal stud tires are only allowed during the | | | | |