| There you are, driving along the highway in your 4X4 | | | | them), allowing for up to 40% better traction in |
| when you glance off to the side only to see an | | | | hard-packed snow and ice than an all-season tire. The |
| oh-so-inviting muddy logging trail. "Can't pass this one | | | | downside, however, is the increased noise level as |
| up", you say to yourself, as you tug on the steering | | | | well as the fact that traction is decreased on dry and |
| wheel and head off to 4-wheeler's heaven. Next | | | | wet surfaces. Beyond that, due to the fact that they |
| thing you know, you're using your cell phone (if it | | | | tend to "chew up" the pavement, many regions have |
| works out in no-man's land) to call a tow truck. What | | | | either banned them all together or restricted their |
| happened? In the excitement of the moment, did | | | | use to certain months of the year.WINTER TIRES. |
| you forget you still had highway tires on your truck? | | | | Winter tires provide better traction in snowy and icy |
| Oops!Most light trucks come equipped with All | | | | conditions. Their tread patterns and tread compounds |
| Purpose tires, which are fine for everyday driving. But | | | | are specifically designed for winter conditions. These |
| if you're an offroad enthusiast, you'll want to take | | | | tires perform better not only in snow, but also in |
| the time to find the tire that's perfect for your | | | | slush and rain. And they're generally quieter than the |
| offroad adventures. And there are plenty of | | | | snow tire. Look for the snowflake/mountain symbol |
| options.ALL-SEASON (All-Purpose) TIRES. These tires | | | | which means they are certified to have met specific |
| are adequate for driving in all four seasons. Most | | | | snow traction requirements.MUD TIRES. If you're |
| carry an M/S designation (Mud/Snow) but are really | | | | mudbogging, you need wide tires with large lugs. The |
| meant only for light snow. They don't have the | | | | lugs should have deep voids in between to expel the |
| proper rubber compound for cold weather, nor the | | | | mud, allowing for better traction at each rotation. |
| open tread block pattern for the traction provided by | | | | These tires, however, are generally loud on the |
| a snow tire.ALL-TERRAIN TIRES. These tires are a | | | | highway, although you may find some exceptions. |
| compromise for those who use their truck for | | | | Mud tires are also good for rock climbing, sand and |
| general daily driving with only occasional off-road use. | | | | unpacked snow but do not perform well in icy |
| Surprisingly, they are designed with added grip for "all | | | | conditions or in rain.Two additional points to keep in |
| terrain", dirt, sand, wet surfaces, light snow and light | | | | mind ... don't try to cut corners by changing out only |
| mud. But they are also good for general highway use | | | | two tires. All four tires, whether they are snow tires |
| and are relatively quiet on pavement. If you're going | | | | or mud tires, should be the same. Two just won't do. |
| to be driving in heavy snow or thick mud, however, | | | | And while the above list does not include any |
| you need to move on to a tire designed with that | | | | particular brand recommendations, the quickest, most |
| purpose in mind.SNOW TIRES. If you drive in light | | | | reliable way to choose a good tire brand is to talk to |
| snow sporadically, you don't necessarily need snow | | | | other offroad entusiasts and find out what they're |
| tires--all-season tires should do the trick. But if you | | | | using in your area.So there you have it. Tires are the |
| live in a severe-weather climate (or do a lot of driving | | | | most important truck accessory. Always make sure |
| in heavy snow), snow tires are for you. Snow tires | | | | you have the right tires for the right job and you'll |
| have an open tread block pattern for better traction | | | | never have to embarrass yourself by calling a friend |
| and should be narrower. More importantly, they are | | | | to come tow you out of an ugly mess.Copyright |
| manufactured with a rubber compound that is more | | | | 2006 by Debbie Pettitt who is webmaster for Truck |
| flexible in cold weather. The colder the climate, the | | | | Extravaganza bringing you valuable information and |
| less suitable your all-season tire becomes.STUDDED | | | | resources about trucks and truck accessories. For |
| SNOW TIRES. These are for icy winter conditions. | | | | more information about tires and other truck |
| They are "studded" (have metal posts embedded in | | | | accessories, visit Truck Accessories. |