It goes without saying that we see a lot of snow here in northern Vermont. However, ask around and you'll get various opinions on the best equipment to handle it all. Regardless of opinion, there are some important facts that most people are unaware of, facts that could save lives! It's your responsibility to keep control of your vehicle, no matter the conditions of the roads. It is possible, even on the worst of days. Y ou just need to be prepared.
Snow tires are made of a different compound than "all-season" tires. Snow tires are significantly softer than the latter, providing more traction in the colder temperatures. When "all-season" tires get cold, (or when any rubber gets cold for that matter) they harden. When your tire hardens, less surface area is able to touch the ground, therefore providing less traction. So, realistically, your snow tires are not just for snow. As soon as the temps start to dip below 50 degrees is an ideal time to swap your tires out for the season. Snow tires are specifically built with a softer compound so when they get cold/harden they can still provide you with the traction you need. Also, snow tires are designed with sipes that suction water away from your tires, reducing your chance of hydroplaning. They also feature a tread pattern specifically designed to push snow away as you're driving.
At this time, the only true "all season" tire out there is the Nokian WRG3 - but with the expectation of mild snow fall, nothing like we get around here.
Another thing to note - while a snow tire with 2/32" of tread may pass Vermont state inspection, snow tires under 5/32" do not perform well in the snow. It is recommended to replace the tire before it reaches 5/32". An easy way to measure the tread yourself is with coins: Place a pen ny into several tread grooves across the tire. If part of Lincoln's head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 2/32" of tread depth remaining. Place a quarter into several tread grooves across the tire. If part of Washington's head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 4/32" of tread depth remaining. Place a penny into several tread grooves across the tire. If the top of the Lincoln Memorial is always covered by the tread, you have more than 6/32" of tread depth remaining.
Now - studs vs non-studded: studded snow tires decrease your stopping ability but increase your traction on icy roads. They're also significantly loader, if that's something of concern for you. Do you travel mostly in town or are you more rural? Typically we'd say if you live on more mountainous roads or roads that don't get plowed well studs may be a good idea, but if you live in a city or town or don't drive very much, studs may not be worth it. But what about tire chains? Tire chains are definitely less popular around here but can be beneficial. Actually, in Vermont, larger automobiles (over 26,000 lbs) are required to have tire chains, or they face a $1,000 fine. Tire chains are typically used on summer tires to provide additional traction in the snow that they otherwise would not be able to accomplish. So, they are a more inexpensive way to get around in the snow (v.s. purchasing snow tires), but they can be cumbersome as they have to be removed prior to travelling on clear/dry roads.
Now I know some of you are thinking, "I've lived in Vermont my whole life and I've never purchased snow tires!" Well, you've been very lucky, but you may not always be that lucky. There is a significant braking disadvantage when using all-season tires in the snow. Now are you thinking, "Okay, so I'll just leave more space between me and the other drivers, easy fix"? You're not alone, we hear it all the time. The issue with that is what if someone cuts you off? What if, for some reason, your attention from the road wanders for just a moment, and the person in front of you suddenly stops? You never know what could happen. That's why you need to prepare for the worst. Your all-wheel drive gets you going, but your snow tires are what stop your vehicle. If you need snow tires and cannot afford them, Vermont has a program called "Wheels for Warmth" that sells used inspectable tires for very reasonable prices. There is no income requirement to participate. The most expensive tires, 18 inch and larger, are $25 each. The least expensive, 14 inch tires, are $10, 15 inch $15 and 16 inch $20. Thirteen inch tires and singles are free. The only caveat with the program is that it is a once-a-year sale on the last Saturday in October. For information regarding the program, you can visit their website at www.wheelsforwarmth.org One last thing to mention, if you already have snow tires or are planning on purchasing them in the future, we offer tire storage for $75 for one season ($150 per year). The benefit here is you will never have to touch a tire again - we do all the labor for you. It's a beautiful thing.
