When Should I Transition to Snow Tires?

October in Colorado is a time of transition for the weather, and we’re starting to see the temperature consistently drop each week. As the cold weather approaches, it serves as a reminder that you should start thinking about putting on your snow tires.

In general, you should switch to snow tires once the temperature consistently remains below 45 degrees. The time of day you typically drive may impact how soon you should consider changing tires. While the temperature regularly rises above 50 degrees during the day in mid-October, it is generally much colder in the morning and at night. If your primary drive time is during a commute, it’s likely that temperatures are below 45 degrees when you’re on the road.

There are several other factors to consider which make right now an ideal time to put on your snow tires:

• Early season snow – October snow storms are fairly common in Colorado. Car accidents often occur more frequently during these early storms since many people don’t have the proper traction of snow tires yet and it has been awhile since they’ve driven in winter conditions. Getting ahead of the curve with transitioning to snow tires can give you the traction you need to avoid an accident while others are sliding around the road during these early season snow storms.
• Avoid the busy rush – If you plan on having your local tire shop switch your tires for you, it’s important to plan ahead. Tire shops are already starting to experience an uptick in business due to customers transitioning to snow tires. If you wait too long to schedule an appointment, it may take several weeks before they are able to help. While we haven’t had any snow yet, it’s likely that we’ll see a storm or two over the next few weeks and it’s best to be prepared when the snow arrives.

Why Should I Switch to Snow Tires?

When Should I Transition to Snow Tires?

You may be wondering why it’s important to switch to snow tires, especially if you have an all-wheel drive vehicle with highly rated all-weather tires. While all-weather tires provide a well-rounded product that can be used year-round, they aren’t ideal for cold temperatures and snowy conditions. The decreased performance experienced during cold weather will significantly increase your risk of an accident. This is true whether you head to the mountains all winter or stay local.

The term “snow tires” is actually a bit of a misnomer. A more correct way to describe them would be to use the term “winter tires” because they are specifically designed to perform well throughout all cold conditions, regardless of whether there is snow on the ground:

• Winter tires use different rubber compounds which don’t harden with freezing temperatures. This provides greater flexibility and grip on a cold road.
• Winter tires have deeper treads and more prevalent siping (thin horizontal slits along the tread). This helps them dig into snowy, icy conditions more effectively.

In addition, you’ll experience the following benefits from snow tires:

• Better braking – The rubber on all-weather tires becomes hard and brittle once it freezes, and this will increase the likelihood of skidding. Snow tires will stay softer, allowing them to respond better in the event that you’re forced to stop unexpectedly.
• Reduced hydroplaning – It’s common for surface ice to melt as tires roll over the pavement. This can create a layer of water on top of the ice which causes vehicles to hydroplane. The grooves in winter tires help push this surface water to the side to reduce hydroplaning.
• Greater maneuverability – The deep tread and improved siping provides better traction, making it easier to maneuver your vehicle through snowy conditions. This is especially crucial when driving through the mountains during a winter storm.

Accurate Auto Body Can Help

Snow tires are an essential purchase for Colorado drivers, and they can significantly reduce your risk of a car accident during the winter months. That being said, accidents still happen to experienced drivers who use the proper tires. If you end up in an accident this winter, Accurate Auto Body can help.

We offer comprehensive auto body shop services to repair any issue you may have following a collision. We’re equipped to work with your insurance company in order to facilitate a smooth claims process. Our team can also help if you’re not filing an insurance claim, and we’ll work with you to ensure your repairs fit into your budget.

When you work with Accurate Auto Body, you’ll benefit from our Focus On You Service System™ which ensures you’ll always:

• Be treated with the highest levels of respect
• Feel comfortable in our warm and welcoming environment
• Receive guaranteed pricing
• Receive guaranteed completion dates
• Be made aware of all your options
• Experience faster turnaround times
• Have your vehicle fixed right the first time
• Be able to have repairs performed around your schedule
• Receive assistance with the insurance claims process

Please contact us today to schedule an appointment. Accurate Auto Body serves customers in Aurora, Denver and the surrounding areas of Colorado.