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Can you put studs on tires after driving on them?

I’d like to put studs in my winter tires this year, but my tires are only about a year old. I really don’t want to buy a whole new set of tires. Can I just add studs to the tires I already have?

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Amber Reed · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
While it’s technically possible to stud used tires, it’s generally considered unsafe and you’ll probably have a hard time finding a tire shop that’s willing to do it.
There are two main issues when it comes to studding used tires:
  • Wear. Studdable tires are manufactured with different tread depths, and the studs themselves are manufactured to match the stud holes in your tires. Once your tires lose some of their tread, it makes it difficult to install studs properly. If you install studs in worn tires, they are more likely to fall out, which can cause damage to the roads and other cars around you.
  • Dirt, pebbles, and other debris. Your tires pick up debris as you drive. Before installing studs, you’d need to go over each hole by hand to clean off the dirt and pick out any pebbles—a long and time-consuming process for any tire shop tech.
Keep in mind that studs will only make a difference if you’re driving on sheet ice or hard-packed snow. If you’re doing most of your winter driving in typical weather conditions like wet snow and slush, a set of unstudded winter tires will be more than enough to keep you safe!
Another way to stay safe while driving in winter is by making sure you’ve got great
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