GMC Parts 101: All-Season Tires vs. Snow Tires

All-season tires are designed to maintain traction in various driving conditions, but do they work all year round, or should you switch to snow tires in the winter? Here’s what you need to know about different kinds of tires for winter driving and how Patriot Buick GMC can help with all your GMC parts needs, including tires.

What Are All-Season Tires?

Seasonal changes such as heat, rain, ice, and snow can affect the road in various ways, and you need tires that are equipped to help you drive safely in different weather conditions. All-season tires are engineered to handle wet, slippery roads just as well as hot, dry ones. In most mild climates, you can get away with all-season tires twelve months out of the year as long you keep up with maintenance requirements.

What Are Snow Tires?

Snow tires are engineered to help you maintain traction in more extreme winter conditions, such as ice and snow. They tend to feature deeper treads and are manufactured with rubber that can hold its flexibility in low temperatures. Drivers who anticipate traveling in the snow often switch to snow tires for the winter.

Which is Better for Winter Driving?

All-season tires are usually safe for winter driving when adequately maintained. However, during seasonal extremes, it’s imperative to ensure that your tires are mounted and balanced correctly, rotated on schedule, and have a tread depth of 6/32nds of an inch or deeper. On the other hand, if you expect to do a lot of driving in icy or snowy conditions, switching to snow tires for the winter might be a good idea.

How Patriot Buick GMC Can Help

Patriot Buick GMC is happy to help with all your GMC parts and maintenance needs. At our Boyertown, PA, GMC dealership, we sell and install tires that work for your car and driving needs. We can also assist with other service and maintenance needs to keep you on the road all year round. Visit us today!