When Should You Get Winter Tires for Your VW?

Oct 26, 2023

Even though North Carolina doesn’t get as much snow as many other states, mounting snow tires is worth considering. When the temperature drops, ask your VW dealer to mount a set of quality winter tires on your Jetta, Atlas, or Tiguan to ensure your VW gives you the grip you need for steering, cornering, and braking safely on wet and slippery roads this winter.

Keep an Eye on the Weather

Cold weather can affect your tires’ ability to maintain their grip on the road. In North Carolina, it can get cold enough to warrant snow tires. Even when there is more rain than snow and ice on the roads, mounting snow tires on your car is a wise choice during winter.

Summer and all-season tires’ rubber and tread are not intended for winter, so they cannot give you the required grip when needed on slippery winter roads. The cold weather can damage the tires’ rubber and lead to brittleness and cracks, which will seriously impact your safety on the road.

Be Tire Prepared For Winter Conditions

Before the freezing weather strikes, ensure you have the right tires for winter driving. If you already own a set of snow tires, visit your dealer for a thorough inspection to determine if your snow tires are in good condition and need a new set. If there is damage on the sidewalls, such as deep cuts or cracks, the tread is worn down, or the wear indicators are visible, it is best to replace your snow tires with a new set.

Purchasing a full set is important to ensure equal traction capabilities and proper performance. For instance, if you only swap your front tires for snow tires, you may increase your chances of skidding, and if you only switch the back tires, you may lose traction. Mount snow tires on all four wheels to ensure stability and improve braking and handling on slippery roads.

Watch the Temperature

Monitor the weather report closely, and if the temperature consistently falls below 45 degrees, which is when summer or all-season tires become less effective, swap them for snow tires. Even if you don’t use your snow tires for long periods during winter, they can be stored and used again the following year.

Snow tires are specifically designed to withstand freezing temperatures and ensure your safety behind the wheel during winter conditions. These tires have a rubber composition that is more flexible and softer and has deeper grooves and wider siping, allowing for increased grip on slippery surfaces.

It’s crucial to prioritize your safety while driving during winter, and one way to do that is by equipping your VW with a set of high-quality snow tires. Stop at Valley Auto World today, and the certified and experienced technicians will help you find a quality set of snow tires and ensure your Volkswagen is ready for winter driving.