PERFORMANCE WINTER TIRES: WHAT TO KNOW
When the cold weather starts to hit, you might feel resignation setting in as you prepare to stow away your sports car for the long winter season. However, winter tires can make a world of a difference in the performance of your vehicle in winter driving conditions, no matter what drive type your vehicle is.
Note: you might refer to them as “snow tires” but we prefer “winter tires” as they are designed to perform in all road conditions and freezing temps associated with the winter season.
What are high-performance winter tires? High-performance winter tires are designed specifically to handle the power of performance vehicles in freezing temperatures, whereas summer tires and performance tires are not only compromised in these conditions but can be unsafe to drive on.
High-performance winter tires maximize grip and braking performance and are ideal for drivers who don’t have a second vehicle for winter driving. For AWD performance vehicles such as luxury import sedans or rally-inspired vehicles like the Subaru WRX, these tires can give more confidence in winter weather.
ADVANTAGES OF PERFORMANCE WINTER/SNOW TIRES
There are several advantages to high-performance tires. These specialized tires remove the need to use a different vehicle equipped with designated winter tires. They also allow you to continue using your high-performance vehicle year-round by giving your muscle car or luxury import the tools needed to stay on the road, safely.
If you do need to change to high-performance winter tires, America's Tire makes winter tire changeovers a breeze. Some of our stores even offer winter and summer tire storage.*
We also recommend winter wheels if you want to keep the finish of your OE or special aftermarket wheels out of the cold and free of winter corrosives, such as road salt.
Need to make an appointment? Save time in-store when you buy and book online!
The upfront cost of performance winter tires might give some customers pause, but the benefits of having reliable grip, acceleration and braking power designated specifically for performance-oriented sports vehicles overwhelmingly support the investment. Safe performance is the goal!
Some more implicit benefits to equipping your sports car with a set of high-performance winter tires include:
Extends the life of both winter tires and summer or all-season tires
Potential increase in vehicle resale value, especially when bundled with dedicated winter wheels
Peace of mind and confidence regardless of weather severity
HOW DO PERFORMANCE WINTER TIRES COMPARE TO HIGH AND ULTRA-HIGH-PERFORMANCE ALL-SEASON TIRES?
All-season tires of any variety (high or ultra-high performance) perform and ride better in warm and dry environments. Although many come with “mud + snow” designations on their sidewall, they’re generally only capable in slight snow flurries and temperatures above or around freezing.
America's Tire does not recommend all-terrain or mud tires for snow or severe winter conditions.
Winter performance tires, however, distinguish themselves in the snow. They are specifically designed for daily driving in snow, ice, slush and freezing rain—which high-performance all-season tires are not.
The difference is in the rubber compound and tread designs of each. High-performance winter tires are designed to keep flexible in cold temperatures, giving more grip than even the best all-season options. Additional tire sipes are engineered to maximize traction and grip on icy surfaces, giving performance winter tires an edge when rain turns to snow
Vigorous scientific testing and consumer testimonies consistently demonstrate that even the worst dedicated performance winter tires are better than the best all-season tires in winter conditions.
All-season tires may be suitable if you live in an area with mild winter weather without consistent severe winter conditions. However, if your region regularly experiences heavy snow, ice and freezing temperatures, high-performance winter tires for your high-performance vehicles are necessary to keep you and your vehicle safe while getting you where you need to go daily.
WHERE TO BUY PERFORMANCE WINTER/SNOW TIRES
America's Tire has the largest inventory of tires and wheels in the industry, at the most affordable prices that our customers have come to expect. We offer an impeccable online and in-store customer experience that will have you coming back for your next set of winter, summer or performance tires!
You can visit one of our stores or order online to find the perfect performance winter tires for your ride. Save some time and buy and book online!
If you’re not sure where to start, start with Treadwell, our intuitive tire buyer’s guide that makes finding the right tire for you easy. Just input some basic information like your vehicle, driving commute, climate and other factors to generate the best fit for you!
Stop by your local America's Tire and we’ll get you taken care of. Get a shorter wait time in-store when you buy and book online!