With the right winter tires, your truck can blast through the toughest conditions without breaking a sweat. But do you really need winter tires? When should you make the switch, and which tires are the best option at Toytec Lifts? Find out in this blog now, and make sure your truck is ready for the season.
When Should I Switch To Winter Tires?
In general, it’s recommended to switch to winter tires when temperatures are consistently below 45° F. This is when “all-weather” and summer tires may begin to lose some grip. You will also definitely want to switch to your winter tires before the first major winter weather event brings snow, sleet, and ice to the roads.
Why Do I Need Winter Tires?
Because both summer tires and “all-weather” tires don’t perform very well in the cold and the icy, snowy conditions that blast most of the US during the winter. You will get less traction and grip and be more prone to getting stuck and spinning out if you don’t swap your tires.
Winter tires are formulated with rubber that remains more pliable and grippy even in freezing cold conditions, and also have deep treads that are built to pump water through the tire and prevent hydroplaning.
With a set of the best winter tires on the market, you’ll be able to stay safe and enjoy better performance when driving both on and off-road this winter.
Best Winter Tires For Your Truck
Wondering what the best winter tires are for your truck? Here are a few of our top picks at Toytec Lifts.
- Cooper Discoverer – This tire from Cooper has an open tread pattern, block edges, and siping to ensure optimal tread contact in snowy, icy conditions, and it can accept #15 metal studs for performance in the toughest winter weather.
- Goodrich All Terrain – The Goodrich All Terrain uses specially-formulated rubber, an aggressive tread pattern, and thick sidewall protection to deliver extreme performance, especially when off-roading in the cooler months.
- Bridgestone Blizzak WS80 – The Blizzak WS80 is the latest in Bridgestone’s well-known Blizzak line, with rubber that contains “bite particles” for better traction on ice, a Hydrophilic Coating, and 3D Zigzag Sipes for optimal tread performance.
- Michelin X-Ice Xi3 – Michelin is one of the most well-known tire manufacturers in the world, and this tire uses silica-based rubber, uniquely-designed edge blocks, and a stiff, stable design reinforced by twin steel belts to deliver excellent, predictable winter driving performance.
Do You Need Winter Tires Even If You Have AWD?
Yes! All-wheel-drive is great, but it’s not enough to keep you safe on the road. Just because you have AWD doesn’t mean that summer tires or all-weather tires will be able to maintain good contact with the road, and keep you safe when you drive.
After all, it doesn’t matter if you’re sending power to 2 wheels or 4 wheels if that power can’t be transmitted through your tires into the road. With a great set of winter tires, you can carve through the slush and snow, ensure the rubber grips the road well, and stay safe. Even if you have an AWD vehicle, make sure to switch to winter tires.
What’s The Difference Between Winter Tire Designs?
Mostly, the difference comes down to the type of rubber used to create the tire, and the pattern of the tire tread itself. Different types of rubber have better grip at different temperatures, and the pattern of the tread is what determines how effective the tire is in snow, ice, slush, and wet conditions.
Shop Online At Toytec Lifts
We have a wide variety of the best winter tires on the market at Toytec Lifts, so we can help you prepare for the cold weather and make sure you can drive safely. Shop our selection of wheels and tires online now, and get the winter tires you need for your truck, SUV, or 4x4.
