Both Winter and Snow tires have a more aggressive tread pattern and are made of a softer rubber that grips better in cold weather. I believe that snow tires have a still more aggressive tread pattern than winter tires.
I don't believe anybody is required to use snow tires. In fact, some states recommend that you don't use snow tires unless the conditions are bad due to the fact that they can damage/wear the roadways.
The very best reviewed snow tire is the Michelin X-Ice Xi2 but it is expensive. The very best budget snow tire is the General Altimax Arctic and is just as good but noisier and rides a little rougher.
Snow tires prices varies from brand to brand, ranging from 60 dollars to 200 dollars per tire. They are more expensive than regular tires. They do have more grips than regular tires, because they have a different rubber composition.
Yes, that's a reasonable swap.
Directional tires are ideal for hard surfaces in good weather conditions. The best tires for driving in snow are snow tires.
Aluminum studded tires are great for mud and snow.
Most 'All Season' or 'M&S' tires are good for all weather, but NOT as good as dedicated snow tires in snow and also noisy on dry roads.
Winter tires with studs are the best for driving in snow.
AS good as it's tires. DSC, ABS, TC, are all useless if you don't have a good set of SNOW/Winter TIRES!
Since your tires are all season, they should be good. If you are worried they won't be, then it would be a good idea to buy some snow chains that can be put on your wheels without removing your tires.
BFG offers many types of tires for the snow. 4x4 pick up trucks would be a good car during the winter snow. They have many tires for 4x4 pick up trucks.
If you can have good winter tires fitted to them, there's nothing bad with having 20" tires in snow.
Yes, Aquatread tires do well on ice and snow.
Sure.ANS 2 - No, it actually isn't that safe. -Snow tires have terrible grip on dry roads and your braking will diminish on wet or dry compared to good summer tires. - -Why do you think they call therm SNOW tires .
Yes, along with good tires.
Winter tires are for use predominately in the snow and All-season tires are exactly that meant to be used all year around. You will not get as good a traction on snow with the All-season tires as you would with the winter ones but the decision comes down to what part of the country you are in and how much snow you get.