12 Myths About Winter Tires It’s Time to Debunk

There is all sorts of conflicting advice about tire pressure, especially as temperatures start to drop. Some drivers believe that a tire with higher pressure will automatically provide better handling. However, the ideal pressure isn’t determined by this belief, but rather by the automaker’s recommendations. An overinflated tire can alter the contact patch with the road and cause uneven wear.

Conversely, underinflation can compromise stability and accelerate tire deterioration. Cold weather naturally causes tire pressure to drop, making regular checks especially important. You should measure tire pressure when the tires are cold and consult the label, which is usually located in the driver’s door jamb.

Winter tires are often associated with mountain roads, ski resorts, and regions that receive heavy snowfall. However, drivers who primarily drive in the city can also benefit from them. Icy intersections, snow-covered parking lots, and roads coated with slush present very real challenges, even in urban areas.

Cities like Chicago, Minneapolis, Montreal, and Toronto regularly experience conditions where traction becomes particularly important. The need for specialized tires therefore depends more on the local climate and driving conditions than on the presence of mountains. In U.S. regions with mild winters, the needs may obviously differ from those of drivers who face several months of freezing temperatures.

Winter tires are a major benefit for road safety, but they do not turn a vehicle into an invincible machine. Even the highest-performance models have their limits when the road is covered with black ice, heavy snow, or slush. Speed, visibility, following distance, and the driver’s reactions remain critical factors.

Sudden braking or taking a turn too quickly can cause a loss of control, even with tires that are perfectly suited for the season. Drivers must therefore adapt their driving to weather conditions and allow for extra stopping distance. In some situations, postponing a trip remains the safest decision. Winter tires improve safety, but they are no substitute for vigilance.

When we think of tires designed to handle icy roads, small metal studs sometimes immediately come to mind. However, a large proportion of the winter tires sold in North America do not have any. Instead, manufacturers use specialized rubber compounds, deep tread grooves, and numerous sipes to improve traction. Studded tires are a separate category, particularly useful in certain icy conditions.

However, their use remains regulated and may even be prohibited in some regions. Rules vary considerably from one Canadian province to another and between U.S. states. It is therefore important to check local regulations before having them installed. Non-studded tires can also offer excellent winter performance.

A winter tire may look almost new at first glance, even though it has lost some of its performance characteristics. Contrary to popular belief, tread depth isn’t the only factor to watch for. Rubber naturally ages over time, even when the vehicle has relatively few kilometers on it. Temperature fluctuations, exposure to ultraviolet rays, and storage conditions can also affect its condition.

An aging tire can become stiffer, develop cracks, or gradually lose some of its grip. However, there is no universal expiration date that applies to all models. Drivers should check the tire’s date of manufacture, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, and have tires inspected if they show signs of deterioration.

Some drivers might be tempted to cut costs by installing winter tires only on the drive wheels of their vehicle. This solution may seem logical, especially for a front-wheel-drive car. However, it risks creating a significant imbalance between the two axles. When the front and rear tires do not provide the same level of traction, the vehicle’s handling becomes less predictable when cornering or during emergency braking.

The wheels equipped with lower-performance tires may lose traction before the others. That’s why manufacturers and safety organizations recommend installing four compatible winter tires. Short-term savings should not compromise the vehicle’s stability.

This is probably one of the most widespread beliefs among drivers. Many people wait for the first snowfall before having their winter tires installed, convinced that they’re useless on dry roads. However, their effectiveness doesn’t depend solely on precipitation. When temperatures drop below 7 °C, the rubber in summer tires and traditional all-season tires begins to lose its flexibility.

Winter tires, on the other hand, are designed to maintain better traction under these conditions. A cold road—even one that’s completely clear—can therefore justify their use. In many regions of Canada and the northern United States, winter temperatures arrive well before the first snowstorms.

The pictogram depicting a three-peaked mountain with a snowflake is an important indicator for North American consumers. It indicates that the tire meets specific performance criteria for traction in snow. However, this symbol does not guarantee that all models will deliver identical results under all conditions.

Some tires excel in deep snow, while others perform better on ice, wet roads, or when braking. The tests used to obtain this certification do not provide a comprehensive assessment of all winter conditions. Therefore, two tires bearing exactly the same symbol may differ significantly. Consulting comparative tests remains a good way to choose a model that suits your needs.

Modern vehicles are equipped with an impressive array of technologies designed to improve occupant safety. Among these, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and traction control systems play a key role. However, these systems cannot create traction where the tires do not provide enough of it.

ABS brakes, in particular, help prevent the wheels from locking up, while traction control limits wheel spin during acceleration. Their effectiveness, however, depends on contact between the tires and the road surface. On a particularly icy surface, even the most sophisticated electronic systems have their limits. Tires designed for winter conditions therefore allow these technologies to operate with a greater margin of traction.

The name “all-season” might lead one to believe that these tires are perfectly suited for all weather conditions. However, the reality is much more nuanced. Traditional all-season tires represent a compromise between several driving conditions. They can offer satisfactory performance in moderate climates, but generally become less effective than specialized winter tires when temperatures drop significantly.

Specialized winter tires feature rubber compounds and tread patterns designed to improve traction on snow and ice. It’s important, however, to distinguish between classic all-season tires and all-weather tires bearing the mountain and snowflake symbol. Some all-weather tires can be a viable option in regions where winters are less severe.

With the growing popularity of electric vehicles in North America, certain misconceptions about driving them in winter continue to circulate. Their weight, relatively low center of gravity, and electronic systems may give the impression that they are naturally better suited for winter driving. However, they are still subject to the same laws of physics as gasoline-powered vehicles.

Their weight does not guarantee better traction on ice, while their motor’s instant torque can make traction particularly important. Winter tires help improve traction and vehicle control in challenging conditions. Some models are also designed to meet the specific requirements of electric cars, particularly in terms of rolling resistance and load capacity.

Owning an SUV equipped with an all-wheel-drive system can provide an added sense of security during the winter. After all, if all four wheels can receive power from the engine, why invest in specialized tires? The answer lies in the difference between accelerating and braking. A four-wheel-drive system generally makes it easier to pull away on slippery surfaces, but it doesn’t directly improve traction when braking or cornering.

The tires are still responsible for maintaining contact with the road. As a result, a two-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with good winter tires can outperform an SUV on all-season tires in certain maneuvers. Vehicle technology is never a substitute for good traction.