Some car owners in Minnesota object to the hassle of swapping their normal tires out for winter tires before the first snowfall of the year. Part of the reason for this is that not everyone understands how winter tires are beneficial. What separates a winter tire from a traditional tire is that its treads are composed of soft rubber that won’t harden in cold weather. The treads themselves are also deeper than those on normal tires. Both of these qualities provide better grip on roads during the winter, especially when those roads are covered in snow or ice.

If you live in Minnesota and you drive on a regular basis then yes, you should switch to winter tires in late fall before snow begins falling regularly and temperatures plummet below the 30s. You’ll be grateful for those winter tires when you’re driving in fresh snow or hardened ice. Their superior traction drastically reduces the risk of a spinout and allows you to regain control of your vehicle more easily if one does occur. Should you hit an unexpected patch of black ice on the road, winter tires can save you from a life-threatening car accident.

In addition to improving your vehicle’s winter weather handling, winter tires can also prevent you from getting stranded. Let’s say several inches of snow fall on the parking lot while you’re at work. With regular tires, you might be unable to get your car out of the parking lot, especially if there are any inclines; with winter tires, you shouldn’t have much trouble getting back on the road and going home. Because of these benefits of winter tires, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a trusted auto maintenance shop in Minnesota to switch your car over to winter tires in late November or early December each year.