Do Jeeps Need Snow Tires in PA

Snow tires, or winter tires, are dedicated to handling cold temperatures, light snow, deep snow, and even ice. While rubber is a component of a tire, it is just one of many. Tires are also made up of steel, nylon, and other materials that work together to balance the load of the vehicle and hold the shape of the tire while driving over bumps and potholes. While all-season tires use a more flexible rubber compound to handle a range of weather conditions, winter tires come with a more ridged compound so that it doesn't lose its shape in extreme weather. Snow tires are recommended for drivers in areas where the winter temperatures sit below 45 degrees consistently. This is because the rubber compound of a snow tire will not lose its pliability in cold weather. Conversely, snow tires are not built to handle warm temperatures and won't stand up well to the friction of driving on hot pavement. Comparing a snow tire side by side with an all-season tire, you'll notice that it has a more aggressive tread pattern to provide better traction on snow.

There are many benefits to getting a set of snow tires. Of course, they stand up better to cold temperatures than an all-season tire can. Also, the main benefit is that they help maintain traction in inclement road conditions. As we mentioned above, snow tires have a more aggressive tread pattern. All-season tires typically have four grooves circling the tires, called the tread, and grooves leading from the tread to the sides of the tires to extract water from the road surface. Between each groove are smaller grooves, called sipes, to help grip the road. Meanwhile, snow tires have more horizontal tread lines rather than following the tire's shape. With a more aggressive tread pattern and additional sipes, snow tires are designed to maintain traction even in deep snow. For additional traction and control on ice, tire manufacturers create three kinds of tires; studded, studdable, and studless. Tire studs are made of either hard rubber or metal to provide additional traction by essentially digging into the snow or ice.

Even if your Jeep is equipped with 4x4, snow tires are still a sound investment. While 4x4 helps provide excellent traction in all weather conditions, your traction is only as good as your tires. When your Jeep 4x4 is equipped with snow tires, you gain a level of confidence driving in the winter weather we're subject to here in Pennsylvania. Deciding whether you should invest in a set of snow tires or not can be answered by taking a few things into consideration. First and foremost, consider how much you'll need to drive in the snow. If you spend a lot of time behind the wheel no matter the weather, snow tires are a great decision. You should also take the average winter temperatures into consideration. Snow tires perform best in temperatures at or below 45 degrees. With that in mind, if the winter temperature rarely gets above 45 degrees, snow tires are a great choice.

While Jeeps are ready to tackle just about anything you throw at them, snow tires will increase your confidence while driving in the wintertime. If you're interested in getting a set of snow tires for your Jeep, the Reedman-Toll Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram service center can help. Our service professionals will happily educate you further on snow tires and guide you toward the perfect snow tire for your vehicle. The expert technicians will properly install, balance, and align the tires in a timely manner. Schedule a service appointment with us right here on our website or visit our service center to speak with a service advisor. We look forward to serving you!