Do Jeeps Need Snow Tires in Michigan?

All-season tires are the ones that come equipped with most Jeep vehicles, designed to take on a variety of different road and weather conditions. Rubber is a main component of all tires. However, it is just one of a variety of different materials. Tires also consist of nylon, steel, and other materials working together to hold the tire's shape while driving over potholes and bumps and also balance the vehicle's load weight. All-season tires have a more flexible rubber compound to handle various temperatures and weather conditions, whereas snow tires come with a more rigid compound to not lose its shape when temperatures dip below freezing. Winter tires are recommended for drivers in colder climates for two reasons. First, they have a more aggressive tread pattern to help maintain grip in snow. Second, they are designed to hold their pliability in areas where temperatures consistently sit below 45 degrees, which we know a thing or two about here in Detroit. On the other hand, winter tires aren't designed to handle warm temperatures and will wear down faster if they are driven on hot pavement. 

There are an array of benefits to getting a set of winter tires. As we mentioned above, they stand up against the cold much better than all-season tires. They also provide much greater traction in the snow than all-season tires. This is because of the tread pattern that winter tires have. In most cases, all-season tires have four grooves that go around the entire tire in a straight line. Every few inches, there are smaller grooves called sipes that are in place to take water from the tread and divert it to the sides of the tire, ensuring that the tire's road surface remains clear. Conversely, snow tires oftentimes have a more rigid pattern to the tread. Rather than being straight lines all the way around the tire, the tread has jagged edges to help grip the snow and more sipes to remove snow from the road surface. To give snow tires even better traction, many tire manufacturers offer three different kinds of winter tires: studless, studdable, and studded. While studded snow tires come from the factory with studs, studdable ones have holes where studs can be inserted, while studless have neither. The studs are made of either metal or hard rubber and driven into the tire's road surface to dig into ice or deep snow for additional traction. The last benefit is the savings. Having a set of tires dedicated to the winter months will help you save money in the long run, as you will not be running the same set of tires year-round. This extends the life of both sets of tires dramatically, making it so you don't have to buy tires as often.

With its impressive 4x4 systems and technologies, Jeep prides itself on providing drivers with vehicles capable of handling even the most demanding road and weather conditions, including snow. However, the drivetrain is only half the battle of maintaining traction in inclement weather, your tires are where the battle is won. Winter tires are a great way to ensure your driving safety, even on snow or ice-covered roads. The biggest deciding factor to whether or not you should invest in snow tires is how much you drive in the snow. If you're lifestyle demands that you drive no matter the weather, snow tires are a sound investment. 

Jeeps are meticulously crafted to handle any road condition. However, winter presents a set of challenges that make extra precautions like snow tires a sound investment. If you're looking for snow tires for your Jeep in the Detroit area, then Village Jeep is here for you! The experts in our service center will help guide you toward the snow tire that is perfect for both your vehicle and your driving needs and get them installed properly. Use the contact form below to reach us regarding your snow tire needs, or visit our service center to work with a member of our team. We look forward to serving you!