News

Let’s talk for a little bit about studded tires, and winter tires in general.

 

A generation ago, “winter tires” meant the heavy, clumsy, noisy “mud grips” or “snow tires” that were on the back of your dad’s woodgrain Ford wagon. Today’s winter tires, though, rival the best passenger tires in terms of noise level, handling, road manners, and ride quality. Winter tires are designed with deeper, more aggressive tread grooves and a network of sipes, tiny slits that help provide more biting edges for traction in snow and slush. They also use a rubber formulation that stays pliable in sub-freezing temperatures for flexibility and traction.

 

The truth is that no tire really performs well on ice, not even all-terrain truck tires or mud tires. That’s where studded tires come in.

 

Many winter tires are available pre-drilled with hundreds of small holes in the tread face, making it easy for a technician to hammer in small metal studs that will greatly enhance traction on ice. When things are really bad, there’s no substitute for the extra traction that these strong, small pieces of metal can deliver.

 

 

It’s important to remember that metal-studded tires are very destructive to pavement surfaces. That’s why many states restrict them or have even outlawed their use completely. Alaska law makes it illegal to use studded tires from May 1 through September 15…but that time frame makes perfect sense since that September-May period is when the weather can get pretty rough here.

 

In a perfect world, we could all just stay home when it’s icy and nasty outside, but of course, we have no choice but to go places and do things when it’s like that. Is your vehicle ready for winter driving? Do you maybe need a set of studded tires on your car or truck? Make an appointment with us at Alignment Center and Alaska Car & Truck, and let’s get you set up for it before the snow starts piling up. We have a great selection of quality, affordable winter tires for whatever your particular needs are!