Quote:
Originally Posted by MuhThugga
Summer, snow, and all-season tires are made of different rubber compounds that react differently to temperature changes. Summer tires start to lose their functionality once the temps dip into the mid-40s, with the grip characteristics getting exponentially worse as the temperature continues to fall. Deflating your tires may seem like a good idea to gain more contact patch in the snow, but you are putting extra stresses on the sidewalls on top of the other inherent dangers that come with driving on under-inflated tires, as now steering and braking are affected even more than they originally were from the winter conditions.
You really should have a good set of winter wheels and tires, or a good set of all-seasons that have a good snow traction rating if you can't afford a second set of wheels, and keep them properly inflated.
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I spent 6 or 7 winters on a 245 series garbage summer tire with my 99GT. Knew it was bad, but never realized how idiotic I was.
Threw some 225s on a 16" rim a few years back. Beyond night and day. Yea, the smaller width was beneficial, as was the different tread pattern.
The biggest difference is the compound. Even in subzero Temps, a snow tire stays soft like rubber ought to be. A summer tire, and even all seasons at some point, turn into rock hard hockey pucks.