Winter Is Coming: What Are the Best Tires for Driving in the Winter?

Hannah DeWitt
· 3 min read
Your choice of tires affects the performance of your vehicle. They also affect your driving experience and the risk of
accidents
Your best choice for the season is winter tires, not the all-weather types. These tires are better at handling slippery conditions and loose snow as they have specialized rubber compounds and treads that help maximize traction and reduce
weather-related crashes
With the help of
Car and Driver
, we’ve compiled some of the best winter tire brands on the market. Go on, have a look.
Winter tires are much better-prepared for winter weather conditions than all-season or all-weather tires.

Cooper Discoverer True North

Just as the name suggests, Cooper Discoverer True North tires are made to enable you to explore the outdoors during the winter season. They are flexible and soft, allowing you to navigate deep snow without creating deep furrows that will get you stuck.
These tires have the highest silica content in Cooper's tire family. Silica is vital for tire flexibility in wet conditions. In addition, the tires are grippy and consistent in snow, allowing for braking without skidding.
True North tires are also quiet on dry pavements. The large grooves on the sipes (the thin slits on a tire) allow the tires to trap huge amounts of snow in their gaps. They open and shut as the tire rotates, allowing it to “bite” the ground and enhance traction.
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Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3

The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3 has a reputation for balance, safety, and comfort as you travel down a watery highway or navigate narrow snow-filled residential roads. Its studless winter tires use groundbreaking rubber technology that provides unmatched grip on snow. The tire has specially designed sipes that can also handle wet roads with equal stability.
Another great feature of the tire is reduced noise, especially on wet roads. The studless design reduces wear and tear, meaning that you won't be worried that the metal will wear out before your tires do.
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3s also has unidirectional sipes, which enhance the vehicle's ability to navigate the snow in different directions and improve tire rotations even on compacted surfaces. Finally, the tire shoulder comes lined with a thick block pattern to maintain its stability as grooves bite into the ground.

Dunlop Winter Maxx Wm02

These winter tires are specially designed for coupes, minivans, sedans, and crossover vehicles for use during winter.
Tire Rack
states that Winter Maxx Wm02 tires have a broad profile and compound molded into an asymmetric pattern, which helps in pressure distribution for even wear and improved handling.
Unlike many competing brands, the Winter Maxx has circumferential grooves to evacuate slush and water when it meets the ground. It also has increased sipe density, which provides extra biting edges for enhanced traction on snow. You can also drive at high speeds in wet conditions with ease, thanks to its polyamide reinforcement.

Care for your vehicle this winter in more ways than one

Is your vehicle covered against winter risks? Wet road conditions, hailstorms, and snow can increase the risk of accidents and car damage. Fortunately,
Jerry
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