How to Select Snow and Mud Tires

Mud tires and snow tires are not your average tire, as they provide better traction for different terrains that standard tires would not hold up to. The type of tires that you need for your vehicle depends on the climate where you live, your budget and the type of vehicle that you drive.

How to Select Mud Tires

• Read your owner’s manual to determine what the maximum tire size is that you can install on your vehicle. Mud tires are often larger than your average tire, and you may need to modify your vehicle by adding a special lift to accommodate a large enough tire.

• Before deciding on a mud tire, you need to consider the amount of on-road driving that you do with your vehicle. Mud tires are not designed to be driven on paved roads, and will wear down quickly if they are. Some mud tires will allow driving on paved roads as well; check with the tire manufacturer if you are unsure which model is best for you.

How to Select Snow Tires

• Determine what type of conditions you will be driving in. There are studded snow tires that offer great traction and stability in areas where ice is a problem. These tires have small metal studs that grip the ice as you drive preventing you from slipping.

• There are performance snow tires on the market that allow your car to handle well in snow and ice, as well as high speeds. These types of tires are designed to handle highway diving in the snow and ice, and are a great choice for anyone who lives in a climate that has harsh winters.

• If you are going to buy snow tires, you need to replace all of the tires at the same time. Your car’s tires will be unbalanced and will not be able to do the job that they were designed to do if you do not have all four of your tires replaced with snow tires.