MARNE, Mich. — It was a rough Wednesday morning on many West Michigan roads as cooler temps and early morning fog rolled in.
Several vehicles were involved in a crash near M-6 and Broadmore.
With the weather getting colder, you may be thinking about getting your tires changed, but which tires are worth it: snow or all season tires? We went to the experts at Schneider Tire Outlet Inc. in Marne for the answer.
You have three options when it comes to choosing tires for winter: All-season, all-weather, snow tires. Choosing one comes down to your personal needs.
"When folks come in and ask me which one to choose I have to ask them all these different questions," said Chad Wirt, the Asst. Sales Manager at Schneider Tire Outlet Inc. "What's your day-to-day usage, is this for a new driver or are you looking for something that's going to be safer, do you not drive that much, do you go down to Florida? These are all questions that help me dissect and help them decide what's right for them."
Longevity
- All-season: Typically lasts 80,000 miles.
- All-weather: 60,000 miles.
- Snow: It differs from vehicle to vehicle, but Wirt has seen them last anywhere from 20,000 to 50,000 miles.
Tread Design
- All-season: Well rounded, meant to be quiet and long-lasting.
- All-weather: Year-round use as well, tread pattern is better for the rain and snow. The Michigan State Police even uses them.
- Snow: Meant for 45-degree weather or less so they need to be swapped out with another set, therefore there is an extra cost.
"If you're closer to the lakeshore, out in Grand Haven or somewhere out this way, think about where you run into a lot of heavier snow situations. It's icier or you do a lot of miles where you come across a lot of situations where you don't know what to expect, the snow tire is really good insurance to go this route," Wirt said.
Something important to remember is that even with the best tires you really have to be careful and be prepared for the slippery conditions.
Schneider's recommends you get your tires changed sooner rather than later so you can avoid the long lines.
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