Know your road when choosing snow tires
BROCKTON -- When Paul Sullivan hits the road this winter, the owner of Sullivan Tire and Auto Service will depend on more than anti lock brakes and all-wheel drive to keep him safe in the snow, slush, and ice.
Sullivan will be riding on four Dunlop Graspic DS-2 snow tires. The man who runs a mini tire empire that includes 43 retail branches in four states won't leave his driveway without them.
"If there's any accumulation of snow," he says, "you're going to need snow tires to get the traction you need."
Sullivan chose his snow tires because of their beefy tread pattern and their relatively quiet ride. But Steve Walsh , a Sullivan Tire sales consultant for 33 years, says shopping for a snow tire can be tricky.
"Every tire company claims their tires do something unique just like every sneaker company claims their products are special," he says. "They all claim to be different, but they end up doing pretty much the same thing."
Americans spent approximately $20.2 billion on all replacement tires for passenger cars and light trucks in 2005, up from $18.7 billion in 2004, according to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association of Bethesda, Md. Figures for just snow tire sales were not released.
But does everyone need snow tires? John Paul , AAA's manager of public affairs for southern New England who hosts the "Car Doctor" radio program, believes owners of rear-wheel-drive cars, typically less stable in ice and snow than front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive cars, will benefit the most from snow tires.
"If you're a typical Boston driver that drives in 2 to 3 inches of snow a couple of times a year, you have a decent set of all-seasons, and you're careful, you should be in good shape," says Paul, who estimates all-season tires offer 70 percent of the traction of snow tires in snow up to 4 to 5 inches deep.
"But if you have a 150-foot driveway that isn't plowed routinely, or you absolutely have to get to work and be out early before the plows, snow tires are going to give you that extra edge," he adds.
Most manufacturers offer at least one winter model. The cost is comparable to the cost of all-season tires, meaning they can run from $200 to $1,400 for a set of four, depending on the vehicle and the type and size of the tires. Most drivers, Walsh says, can get a quality set for between $250 and $600.
Where to start? Sullivan and Walsh suggest basing your decision on the type of car you drive and your driving habits. The performance car driver, who wants a tire that can handle slippery conditions and also carve up dry roads, needs a different tire than the pickup truck driver, who is willing to sacrifice crisp handling for maximum traction in ice and snow.
The first decision is between studded and studless tires. Studded tires have small metal spikes protruding from the tread pattern and generally offer superior traction in ice and packed snow. The downside, says Walsh, is studded tires don't handle or brake particularly well on dry pavement, they're louder than studless tires, and some states restrict their use (Massachusetts permits studded tire use from Nov. 2 to April 30).
Studless snow tires, the most popular type of winter tire, provide traction in snow that approaches the level of studded tires, but offer better handling performance in dry conditions. If you're looking for a good all-around winter tire, one that can handle snow, sleet, ice, and slush, choose a studless tire, says Walsh. His favorite models include the Bridgestone Blizzak , the Michelin X-Ice, and the Nokian Hakkapeliitta .
