What size tires are best for snow?

Table of Contents

A narrower tire does a better job in snow. As a rule of thumb, for winter tires you can reduce the width 10mm, increase the aspect ratio 10 percentage points, and get a wheel one inch smaller — in this case 215/60R16. This is called Minus One sizing.

Do snow tires make a difference?

Tests conducted by Canada’s Traffic Injury Research Foundation showed that winter tires provide superior traction, braking, and cornering in all cold-weather driving conditions compared to an all-season tire. We’re talking better traction whether the road surface is snow-covered, icy, wet, or even dry.

Do all 4 tires need to be winter tires?

The short answer is no. Your vehicle might have front-wheel drive, but installing snow tires on the front and not all four wheels could end with you oversteering or fishtailing around corners or when applying the brakes in certain weather conditions — even at low speeds.

Do you need 4 snow tires for all wheel drive?

A common misconception regarding winter driving is four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles don’t need winter tires because they perform better in winter conditions than two-wheel-drive vehicles.

Does a wider tire do better in snow?

When it comes to the winter season, there are definite advantages to fitting your wheels with wide tires over standard narrow tires. A wider tire equates to better performance on dry or wet roads and compacted snow.

Do I need 4 winter tires or just 2?

Consistency is key so it’s preferable to match all four tires for winter conditions with a tire like the WinterContact SI. Whether you have a rear wheel, front wheel, or four wheel drive vehicle, four winter tires is recommended. The extra investment in four tires will give you confidence when accelerating and braking.

Do snow tires affect gas mileage?

Winter tires increase traction, handling, and maneuverability on wet roads, reducing the workload of the engine. This helps to conserve fuel and increase gas mileage. However, using winter tires in the hot months will make your vehicle work harder, reducing fuel efficiency.

Can I put 2 winter tires on front only?

No matter what kind of vehicle you drive, never mount two winter tires on the front axle without also mounting them on the rear axle. Only installing snow tires on the front wheels increases the risk of losing rear tire traction while braking or cornering on wintery roads.

Can you mix snow tires and all season?

Additionally, drivers should never mix winter tires with all-season/summer tires, or mix run-flat tires with non-run-flat tires. In an ideal situation, all a vehicle’s tires wear out at the same time.

Where can I find the 16 inch tire size for my vehicle?

Finding the perfect 16 inch tire for vehicle is as easy as selecting your tire size. This information can be found in a few locations: on the inside frame of the driver’s side door, inside the glove box door, your driver’s manual or your tire’s sidewall.

Why buy 16” Firestone tires?

Firestone’s 16” tires are built to tackle a broad range of driving conditions and demands, including all-season and mud. Select the tire size for your vehicle below and find the Firestone tires that work best for you.