Although beautiful, winter brings the most challenging driving conditions of the year—rain, slush, snow, and ice. Use these tips and tire recommendations to stay safer and prepare your vehicle for the season.
Move slowly and smoothly. Brake and accelerate gently to maintain control.
Leave extra following distance to increase your time to react.
Avoid stopping on hills; use steady throttle to climb and a low gear to descend, braking sparingly.
If conditions are severe, wait until roads improve.
If your area sees temperatures at or below 45°F, winter tires are strongly recommended—even when roads are dry. Compared to all-season tires, winter tires:
Stay flexible in the cold for better grip and braking
Use specialized tread patterns and siping to channel slush and water
Often include “bite particles” to enhance traction on ice
Look for the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol—it certifies severe-snow performance.
Prefer to swap wheel-and-tire sets seasonally? A dedicated winter tire and wheel package protects your regular rims, reduces changeover costs, and helps both sets last longer.
Picking the right winter tire type
Studless ice and snow: Maximum traction on ice, packed snow, and in very cold temps. Best overall winter control.
Performance winter: Better dry and wet handling for milder winters and frequent highway use, with solid snow capability.
Studded winter: Metal studs for extreme ice traction where legal. Check local regulations before choosing.
AWD vehicles: choosing the best tires
AWD helps you get moving, but it does not shorten stopping distances or improve cornering on ice. For winter safety, use four matching winter tires.
Cold, mixed conditions (dry/cold to snow/ice): Studless ice and snow tires with 3PMSF.
Milder winters with frequent dry pavement: Performance winter tires.
Persistent ice or hard-packed snow (where permitted): Studded winter tires.
If you keep one set year-round and winters are moderate, a severe-snow rated all-weather tire (3PMSF) can be a compromise, but dedicated winter tires still provide the best cold-weather braking and traction.
Primary pick: Studless ice and snow tires for reliable braking and traction on black ice, slush, and heavy, wet snow.
City/highway mix: Performance winter tires if you value crisp dry-road handling between storms.
Studded option: Only if permitted and your routine includes frequent untreated surfaces; otherwise studless covers most needs.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota (snow, ice, rural highways)
Primary pick: Studless ice and snow tires for long, open stretches with wind-blown ice and drifted snow.
Rural/untreated roads: Consider studded winter tires if legal in your area and you regularly face glare ice.
Frequent high-speed travel in clear, cold spells: Performance winter tires offer stable highway manners with winter capability.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin (harsh winters, snow, ice, city streets)
Primary pick: Studless ice and snow tires for dependable stop-and-go traction, plowed-but-slick intersections, and lake-influenced cold.
City/highway mix: Performance winter tires if you prioritize dry/wet handling between storms.
Studded use: Choose only where permitted and truly needed; most drivers are well served by modern studless options.
Winter tire tread depth
Winter tires lose snow and ice traction faster as they wear due to softer compounds. Plan to replace them around 6/32" remaining tread for best winter performance. Deeper tread helps clear slush and pack snow into grooves for added grip.
For safety, replace tires at six years regardless of tread; at ten years, they’re considered non-serviceable.
Don’t forget the spare
Inspect your spare for proper pressure, signs of wear/aging, and any wheel damage or rust. If you need one: Shop spare tires
Prepare your vehicle for winter
Fluids: Top off brake fluid, coolant/antifreeze, windshield washer fluid, and engine oil. Consider winter wiper blades.
Tires: Inspect condition and pressures frequently, including the spare.
Battery: Verify charge and clean terminals.
Brakes: Ensure pads, rotors, and hoses are in good working order.
Recommended roadside kit:
- First aid kit, blanket, non-perishable food and water
- Traction aids (sand or non-clumping cat litter), small shovel
- Snow brush/ice scraper
- Flashlight with spare batteries
- Basic tools and a portable power bank
- Roadside warnings (reflectors or flares)
Use Treadwell to see top picks for your vehicle, climate, and driving style, then book installation online to save time in-store. Don’t forget to check current promotions.