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Winter tires, which are sometimes also called snow tires, are essential vehicle accessories for people who live in areas prone to snow during the winter months, and driving in winter would simply not be safe without a sturdy set of snow tires affixed to one's vehicle.

Winter tires have been especially designed and developed to allow drivers to travel through and over snow and ice with the greatest degree of confidence possible, and these tires differ from summer or all season tires in at least two important respects. The first way in which snow tires differ from those not designed for winter travel is that the former are made of specialized rubber compounds, which means that, on the whole, they're more flexible than all season tires. The second difference between winter tires and summer tires is that winter tires display tread patterns different from those on summer tires, and these special treads combine with the flexibility afforded by the specialized compound to help increase traction and decrease the possibility of major snow build-up.

Those purchasing a set of winter tires should also consider purchasing a set of special winter tire rims, and, if they don't, they should at least have their existing rims re-balanced to accommodate the larger winter tires. It would be extremely dangerous to drive on ice or snow without either the specialized rims or the re-balanced rims as the tires would not be correctly balanced and would consequently not be as effective in stopping car as they might otherwise be. It is also not a good idea for winter tires to be fitted before the season has truly turned and consistently cold temperatures are being experienced. Similarly, winter tires should not be left on a car when temperatures start to heat up again, and consistently rising temperatures is a sure indication that it's time to switch back to summer tires and to either have the car's rims re-balanced or to install a set of summer tire rims.

Winter tires are a necessity for any car that's going to be driving through snow and on ice, and driving without them would just be an accident waiting to happen.

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13y ago

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