How to Tell if a Tire Is a Snow Tire

Co-authored by Nick Psaros and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: December 30, 2024 Fact Checked

As temperatures cool down and road conditions get worse, snow tires help keep you safe on the road. These tires, also called winter tires, give you traction when it’s snowy or icy. Whether you’re looking to buy snow tires or wondering if your current tires are snow tires, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about snow tires to keep you safe this winter.

Section 1 of 7:

How do I know if I have snow tires?

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Check out the sidewall on the outside of your tire (the area between the edge of the tread and the rim). Snow tires always have a small, 3-peak mountain symbol with a snowflake inside.^{[1]
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Nick Psaros
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Some snow tires have studs, while others don’t. If your tires say STUDLESS on the side in all capitals, it means that they’re studless snow tires.^{[3]
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Check for metal studs in your tires. Just like the name suggests, studded snow tires use metal studs to give you the extra grip you need on the ground. Studded snow tires are common in areas that get snow and ice for long periods of time.^{[4]
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- Keep in mind that most studded snow tires are only legal during the winter months. Using studded tires in dry conditions can tear up the road, and you may get a fine if you use studded tires during the non-winter seasons.

Section 2 of 7:

What do snow tires look like?

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Snow tires have deep, square treads. A winter tire tread is the deepest of all tire treads. Usually, the tires will have square treads with small, zig-zagging sipes, or slits, on them.^{[5]
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- Most snow tires are siped tires, but not all of them are. However, siped tires handle better in the snow, because the small slits give them more traction.
- When your snow tires have a tread of about 4/32 inches, it’s time to replace them. You can measure your tread depth with a tread depth measurement tool.

Section 3 of 7:

What are winter tires?

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Their deep treads give them stability. Winter tires are made specifically to handle cold temperatures, and they have better grip in the snow and during icy conditions.^{[6]
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Section 4 of 7:

What’s the difference between snow tires and regular tires?

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All-season tires and summer tires are made for warmer weather, so they’re flexible in the heat. However, as temperatures start dropping, they tend to harden up and have less grip on the road. Winter tires are built to stay flexible, even in colder temperatures.^{[7]
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A winter tire’s deep tread gives it the braking power you need to stop in icy conditions. Since the deep treads allow for more traction, your car will stop faster and slip less in the winter.^{[8]
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Section 5 of 7:

Best Picks for Snow Tires

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Looking for a new set of snow tires? We’ve done the research for you. Make sure you buy the correct size tire for your car. You can find your tire size by checking the sidewall of your tires.^{[9]
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- Best Snow Tire for Cars and Minivans: Bridgestone Blizzak WS90 Tire
- Best Snow Tire for Crossovers and SUVs: Continental VikingContact 7 Tire
- Best Snow and Ice Performance Tire: Falken Winterpeak F-ice 1 Tire
- Best Studded Snow Tire: AltiMAX Arctic12 Tire
- Best Snow Tire with a Warranty: Uniroyal Tiger Paw Ice & Snow 3 Tire

Section 6 of 7:

What’s the difference between all season and winter tires?

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The name “all season” is actually a bit of a misnomer—in fact, they should actually be called “3-season tires.” All season tires are great for wet and rainy conditions, but they tend to falter when it comes to the winter. Winter tires give you more grip in the ice and snow, and they’ll be more flexible during the colder months.^{[10]
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Section 7 of 7:

How to Tell if Tires Are All Season

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You’ll often hear all season abbreviated to “A/S” or “A.S.” If you’re buying tires with an “A/S” in the name, that means they’re all season tires, not winter or snow tires.^{[11]
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The tires have deep grooves down the center. All season tires are a combination of winter tires and summer tires. When you look at the treads of an all-season tire, you’ll notice the same square, zig zagging tread pattern as a winter tire. However, you’ll also see 3 to 4 deep grooves down the center of the tire. These grooves help give the tire traction during dry conditions, which is how you know it’s rated for all seasons, not just winter.^{[12]
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- Seeing “M + S” on your sidewall? This acronym stands for “mud and snow.” An “M + S” symbol usually means that the tire is an all season tire, not a snow tire.