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It's nearly time to change to winter tires, if you haven't already.

Every year, motorists across Albany prepare for winter driving conditions by installing a set of winter tires.

Many motorists also have questions about winter tires around this time, including:

• Are winter tires necessary in New York?
• Are winter tires and snow tires the same?
• Is there that much of a difference between winter tires, all-season tires, and all-weather tires?
• Are winter tires beneficial if I drive an AWD vehicle?

Since we're in the middle of November, now's a great time to review everything you should know about winter tires and to remind you to schedule your winter tire changeover in Albany for the 2023-2024 season.

Are Winter Tires Necessary in New York?

Winter tires aren't necessary, but motorists who have them are glad they do for the additional safety benefits they provide, most notably:

• Stopping power (great for avoiding a fender bender)
• Steering and turning better in winter road conditions

Those who don't drive often or who know they will drive for the weather and road conditions (i.e. slow and not in a rush), might be okay with an all-wheel drive vehicle or a decent set of all-season, all-weather, or snow-rated tires (more on this below). That said, the risk of slipping, and not being able to stop fast when another car slips in front of you, are reasons that winter tires continue to be popular for New York winters. While there are still times they, too, can slip, they tend to provide superior performance to the alternatives.

Are Winter Tires and Snow Tires the Same?

These terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference.

You might be familiar with the "three-peak mountain and snowflake" (3PMSF) symbol that signifies the tire has passed testing for some level of winter performance.

To get the 3PMSF designation, a tire must meet minimum thresholds in winter driving performance as set by the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association. Today, there are many all-season tires, all-weather tires (yes, these differ from all-season, too), and all-terrain tires that meet this minimum threshold today. We refer to these as snow tires.

To put the difference simply:

• Snow tires provide some benefits for winter road conditions but aren't designed for low temperatures.
• Winter tires handle a range of cold weather conditions, such as slush, snow, wet roads, and low temperatures.

Basically, true winter tires provide superior performance in challenging winter road conditions.

Is There That Much of a Difference Between Winter Tires, All-season Tires, and All-weather Tires?

Winter Tires vs All-season Tires

Winter tires are designed to provide better traction, braking, and handling on snow and ice than all-season tires, including all-season tires that have the 3PMSF symbol or "M+S" rating. They have a special tread pattern and rubber compound to grip the road in cold temperatures. All-season tires, on the other hand, are meant to perform well in a variety of conditions, so they may not offer enough grip or control in severe winter weather.

The choice between using all-season tires or winter tires depends on the climate and driving conditions of the area where you live. In areas with heavy snow and ice, all-season tires with the 3PMSF classification might work for you. However, if you experience a mix of challenging winter weather conditions and prefer superior braking and handling for "close call" situations, winter tires might be the more optimal choice.

Winter Tires Vs All-weather Tires

While you might see "all-season" and "all-weather" used interchangeably, these two types of tires are also different.

All-weather tires are a subset of all-season tires and the "better" option in winter conditions compared to them. However, winter tires remain the best.

Essentially, all-weather tires do well in mild winter conditions, including heavy rain and snowfall. They also move slush and remain flexible in temperatures above and below 44.6° F.

The downside to all-weather tires is that they tend to require replacement. Of course, they are used year-round, so that's not exactly odd. They also aren't the best option for severe winter conditions. If you have the option to not drive in bad winter conditions, however, they can be a great choice. You also won't need to find space for an off-season set or schedule a tire changeover for winter. This makes them an appealing option for many motorists.

You may need to search around to find out which all-season tires are also all-weather tires. Sometimes all-weathers are listed as all-seasons without further classification

To recap:

• All-Season Tires: These are OKAY in light winter weather
• All-Season Tires with 3PMSF: These are GOOD in winter
• All-Weather Tires: These are BETTER in winter
• Winter Tires: These are the BEST in winter.

One of the reasons some motorists stick with the better or best options is for "just in case" scenarios. Even if you might have the option to say "No, I'll go to the store in a day or two after the big storm," it's possible you'll run into an emergency that forces you to drive at a time you didn't anticipate going out. Having the right tires when you need them will make a BIG difference.

Are Winter Tires Beneficial If I Drive an AWD Vehicle?

All-wheel drive (AWD) is a system that distributes power to all four wheels of your vehicle, which can help improve traction and stability on slippery roads. However, AWD does not help you stop or turn better on ice or snow. For that, you need good tires that can bite into the surface and prevent skidding.

Some people think that having AWD means they don't need winter tires, but that is not true. According to Consumer Reports, winter/snow tires outperform most all-season and all-terrain tires in snow traction and ice braking tests, regardless of whether the vehicle is front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive.

AWD can help you get started and keep moving on snowy roads, but it won't help you stop or steer if your tires can't grip the road.

Therefore, the best combination for winter driving is to have both AWD and winter tires on your vehicle. This will give you the most traction, control and safety in winter conditions. However, if you have to choose between AWD and winter tires, you may be better off with winter tires, as they will make a bigger difference in braking and cornering performance than the vehicle being all-wheel drive.

Remember, AWD helps you go, but winter tires help you stop.

Contact Us for Winter Tire Changeovers, All-Weather Tires, and Other Tire Services!

We recommend preparing in some way for winter driving. No matter what type of tires you choose, it's good to have a plan for how you'll handle winter in New York. Albany winters include some days and nights below freezing, or close to it (especially around January, and that's not to mention the wind chill that makes this time of year seem even colder). We also get a fair share of snow and the occasional "Nor'easter" blizzard.

No matter what you choose to do, always install four matching tires on your vehicle and switch back to your all-season or summer tires when the weather warms up.

At Capitaland Auto Service, we provide a variety of winter and tire services in Albany and surrounding areas, including:

• Winter tire changeovers
• Tire sales & installations
• Roadside flat tire repair
• 24-hour towing service (give us a call if you get stuck in the snow)

Don't let Old Man Winter get the best of you this year! Get your winter tires installed, or find a new set of tires from your favorite and most trusted brands. The team at Capitaland Auto Service is here to assist with your winter tire prep and other automotive services. Stay safe out there!