How do All-Terrain and Mud Tires do in Snow?

You might be surprised to learn that all-terrain and mud tires tend to perform poorly when ice and snow are on the ground. A quick look at your typical Jeep, 4-Runner or other off-roading forum will be full of posts asking why their rig nearly slid off the road.

We know that four-wheeling enthusiasts demand a lot from their tires in all conditions and that there are tires out there tough enough to handle it. So why would driving in even a little bit of snow pose a problem?

The answer lies within the tire rubber itself: unlike all-terrain and mud tires, all- season and winter tires are formulated for winter conditions. All-season and winter tires have a high silica content which provides better grip and braking in wet conditions as it allows the compound to stay flexible and elastic, even at low temperatures. All-terrain and mud tires, on the other hand, are high in carbon black which makes tires stiffer, more resistant to tire damage that you find in off-roading conditions. This stiffness doesn’t help much with snow or ice.

All-season tires also have larger contact patches due to their smaller tread patterns which more readily grip tiny gradations in the road. The typical large, clunky all-terrain tread pattern is perfect for evacuating stones and finding grip climbing over boulders but not managing a much smoother surface.

We compare winter tires vs all-season tires elsewhere but we need to note for safety’s sake that all-season tires do not replace the need for dedicated winter tires in regions that experience true winter conditions.

(You can check out our picks for the best all-season tires here!)

THE BEST ALL-TERRAIN TIRES FOR SNOW

Are all-terrain tires good for snow? Not as good as you were hoping. All-terrain tires do not perform very well in snow and ice. Even though snow tires and all-terrain tires have a similar looking tread, the difference in pattern and rubber compound make a huge difference. We’ve talked before about how snow tires work but essentially they utilize the right partnership between tread compound elements and a winterized tread pattern to deliver the necessary flexibility and control needed in snowy, icy or cold conditions.

This isn’t to say that all-terrain and mud tires are no good in general; they are constructed to hold up against some severe circumstances. Consider all these scenarios:

• Rigorous and rough off-road conditions such as rocks, gravel and debris

• Slick, sticky or heavy mud

• Remote and unpaved driving surfaces

• Heavy payloads while hauling, towing or vehicle recovery

Adding snow or icy conditions on top of these hefty tasks is a big ask. And don’t depend upon your drivetrain to keep you out of trouble either. Find out why in our blog: what wheel drive is best in snow?

If you insist on or need to run all-terrain tires rather than winter tires (maybe you live in a rugged, rural area with more than just snow to contend with?), then keep a few things in mind.

First, scrutinize the tire tread design. Pick an all-terrain that has high ratings and performance on the highway and in wet or icy conditions.

Second, check if it has the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol.

THE THREE-PEAK MOUNTAIN SNOWFLAKE SYMBOL

A common question regarding winter and snow tires, this symbol is an indication that your tire will remain somewhat flexible and retain a serviceable level of grip and braking ability when temps drop below 45 degrees. This symbol lets you know at a glance that your tires are at least capable of winter driving.

While they may not be the best winter/snow tires for trucks or SUVs, all-terrain tires that feature the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMS) symbol have been tested and rated reliable enough to keep their road-holding characteristics.

America's Tire recommends using proper winter and snow tires during the cold seasons. Also keep local laws and regulations in mind when it comes to using other tools like tire chains and studded tires.

ARE MUD TIRES GOOD IN SNOW?

Mud tires can reliably transport you over boulders, deep streams and through the muddiest trails in the country. You’d think that a little snow wouldn’t be a problem.

Mud tires are even less capable in snow than many all-terrain tires. Almost no mud tires come certified with the three-peak mountain snowflake symbol, and a mud tire’s oversized tread blocks hold them back significantly. This tread pattern is perfect for mud and off-road terrain as they eject mud and gravel with each revolution, providing a clean surface to dig into the next muddy spot (thus providing traction).

While mud tires have such oversized tread blocks that make their grip great for mud and serious off-roading, they're also self-cleaning. By ejecting mud and gravel with the revolution of the wheel, they're effectively able to dig back into the surface they're in contact with as if the tire itself was otherwise clean.

When it comes to snow and ice, these wide channels between the tread blocks will fill with snow and ice. Since mud tires don’t have the siping that even regular all-season tires have, there is nothing to bite or grab at the road surface.

And although mud tires are much more pliable than all-terrain tires (which tend to deal with much harder surfaces), the particular soft rubber compound construction is detrimental to their winter performance as they react poorly to steep drops in temperature. They will harden below 45 degrees.

BEST WINTER/SNOW TIRES FOR TRUCKS

The big takeaway here is that any dedicated snow tire is going to be the better and safer choice for your vehicle. Beyond their safety and grip improvements, running a set of snow tires also means you'll save the extra treadwear on your all-terrain or mud tires for off-roading fun! For any driver, it’s important to know when to change to winter tires and the difference between seasonal tire types.

You can check out our huge inventory of snow and winter tires and visit your nearest America's Tire store, give us a call or order online for the perfect winter tires for your truck or SUV.

Ready to roll?

If you’re convinced you need a new set of winter tires, check out our picks for the best tires for winter.

Do you already have a set of winter tires that need installation? We offer winter/snow tire changeover and installation services!

Are tire chains or studded tires a good option for you? Check out our blog about studded tires vs tire chains to find out!

If you’re still not sure, give us a ring or drop in and we’ll help you get the best option possible for you and your vehicle.

For more information on this and other tire and wheel services, check out our YouTube Channel or reach out to us on X, Facebook and Instagram.