What’s The Big Deal About Studded Tires?

Studded Tires Command The Road

Say you’ve got a vehicle that only has front or rear-wheel drive. One way you could increase the traction you’ve got on the road is to acquire studded tires. Now, there are snow tires which aren’t studded that likewise increase traction, and can be very helpful if your vehicle doesn’t have four wheel drive (4WD) capability. 

Even if you’ve got a vehicle that’s 4WD enabled, studded tires or snow tires are wise to have in a state like Wyoming or Montana or South Dakota. Winter gets harsh in this region of the country. People are more familiar with snow tires than studded tires, so we’re briefly going to go over what the difference is. 

The Difference Between Snow Tires And Studded Tires

Basically, studded tires have been designed with metal studs in the tread. These look like little half-spheres pushing out through the rubber of the tire. The idea is that these bits of metal can dig into ice, increasing the traction of a vehicle. However, if you’re not driving on ice, studded tires actually damage the road; meaning in some states they’re not legal.

Thankfully, except for Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois, the eight other states where studded tires aren’t legal tend to be pretty warm in general; so you’re not going to need these types of tires. 

The other downside of studded tires is, owing to the fact that they’re incorporating actual metal, they tend to be a bit louder. There’s a sort of heightened, swift clicking as the car cruises down the road. 

Now traditional winter tires are a bit different than those with studs. Essentially, their tread is wider, allowing for greater grab. They are tested for performance as a means of assuring that their tread design actually increases a vehicle’s ability to drive in slick conditions. They don’t make driving louder, they’re not illegal in any states, and they don’t damage the road. 

Which Is Better?

Snow tires that don’t have studs work well on slush, or snow that’s packed deep. Good snow tires grip the road well, and will get you out of tough conditions; but the best snow tires can’t actually match the traction which is available through studded tires. However, studded tires tend to be more expensive, and the size options you have are limited owing to their construction. 

So really, the question becomes: what do you need the vehicle for? Are you doing a lot of driving in situations where you need the most grab you can possibly get? Sometimes you need to go the studded route. However, for most in-city driving, just getting traditional snow tires is more than enough. It all depends on your specific situation. 

Ask the people at the tire shop what makes the most sense for you, and understand your level of comfort in slick conditions. For more tips on what sort of tires to buy and how to drive in the safest way across Wyoming, be sure to explore our blog at Anybody’s Autos!