Winter tires have been shown to keep you safe and save you money. For most carriers, the decision to run winter tires is a no-brainer. But what features make for the best winter tires for truckers?
If you want to save on tires before winter strikes, the Michelin X® Line Energy™ D+ drive tire provides 10% better traction in wet conditions than leading competitors. (2)
Click the form below for special pricing on the Michelin X® Line Energy™ D+ drive tire.
A quality winter tire will always comprise a special rubber compound that stays soft in the cold.
This makeup is critical to winter tire performance. If a tire can remain malleable in cold temperatures, the tire will better “stick” to the road, gripping the microscopic mountains and valleys of the asphalt.
Standard tires tend to stiffen up, causing them to glide along the road’s surface. These conditions lead to slipping, hydroplaning, and unresponsive steering. Additionally, standard tires can be damaged in winter conditions and have a shorter life.
If you’re looking for the best winter tires for truckers, double-check that the tire is made of rubber.
The very best winter tires have deep and unique tread patterns. Deeper treads create better grip in snowy conditions.
Not only is this grip essential for safe braking and handling in icy conditions, but deep treads can increase fuel efficiency in the cold as you spend less time spinning your wheels with no traction. (See: How to Cut Fuel Costs with Tires)
If you want a sure sign that a winter tire is the cream of the crop, look for sipes or small slits lining the tire.
These razor-thin slits create additional opportunities for friction with the ground. Each small cut can catch imperfections in an icy road’s surface to help the tire stick.
To complement these sipes, zig-zag grooves can give winter tires even more grip, maximizing the number of biting edges on the tire.
Though all the features outlined in this article make for a superior winter tire, what is most important is changing your tires for winter.
If you continue to use worn, bald tires through winter, you place yourself and others in grave danger. Snow can increase stopping distances 3x—5x, and worn tires can increase stopping by another 7%.
Ultimately, the best winter tires comprise special rubber compounds, deep treads, and intricate sipes for the most grip in cold conditions. To stay safe, purchase new tires at minimum before the winter season.
(2) Based on internal wet braking test at 60 mph (97 kph) on asphalt measuring peak Mu, using the Michelin X® Line Energy™ D+ tire, Bridgestone M713 Ecopia tire, Goodyear Fuel Max® LHD® 2, and Continental® HDL2+ tire. All tires were size
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The England Carrier Services (ECS) division offers various services for carriers ranging from maintenance to support. As ECS members, carriers have access to nationwide discounts on fuel and tires from dedicated team members committed to finding the best price. ECS also provides factoring services with benefits such as same-day funding to a bank account or fuel card. These options allow carriers the freedom to focus on growing their business while saving time and money.
