There are many questions surrounding winter tires, but when it comes to whether you need winter tires in Michigan, the answer is yes. Wondering when to make the switch? Here’s a quick guide!
The general rule of thumb is that you should make the switch to snow tires (more accurately, winter tires) when the temperature during your drives consistently reaches 45 degrees or lower. Note this point! If you do most of your driving in the early morning or late at night when temperatures drop significantly, you may find yourself switching to winter tires earlier than is typical, even if the temperature may get into the 60s during the day. It’s all about when you’re doing the bulk of your driving and the ambient temperature at that time.
In regions like Michigan, Northwest Indiana, and into Illinois around the lakeshore, it's typical to make the switch to winter tires by November.
Find winter tires or all-season tires based on your vehicle’s make and model!
You’ll hear every tire company say “Don’t wait til you’re hit with your first snowfall to switch to winter tires,” but do you know why?
While winter tires will definitely come to your rescue as the snow falls (around 60-80 inches per year in Michigan on average!), their benefits exceed just snow. You’ll find your vehicle to be better at starting, braking, and taking corners in colder weather, even if the pavement isn’t covered in snow! This is because the rubber compounds of snow tires are specifically developed for lower temperatures—unlike your regular summer tires which harden, lose grip, and don’t perform well in the cold.
These rubber compounds work alongside aggressive tread patterns to cause superior performance on all types of roads in colder weather: including better starting, stopping, and traction when taking corners.
In addition to their better performance on wet, dry, or snowy roads, installing winter tires will help you maintain the proper pressures during cold weather that your tires need for a safe ride.
Get more answers to FAQs about snow tires!
We are your snow tire professionals in West Michigan as well as in Northwest Indiana and the Chicagoland area, serving you at our locations in Byron Center, Greenville, Zeeland, Holland, Scottville, Howard City, MI; Calumet City, IN; and Rensselaer, IN.
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We provide summer, winter, and all-season tires for all types of passenger vehicles like cars, SUVs, and pickups. Looking for a snow tire we recommend? Try the Michelin X Ice or Bridgestone Blizzak!
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