What is the average cost of winter tires? Are there affordable and high-quality winter tires? The type of tire, its quality, and the size all have an impact.
You should find out how much a winter tire will cost, regardless of whether your area requires snow-rated tires in the winter months. Many car owners don’t want to install winter tires simply because they are too expensive.
Winter tires can be more costly than normal, but affordable winter tires from growing tire brands such as Sailun Tire won’t let drivers down on the performance and quality they expect on icy roads.
Even the most expensive ones can be more affordable than rising premiums, likely medical costs, and the auto repairs that will be required due to an injury sustained in winter.
We will discuss the costs of winter tires as well as the extra expenses that come with them. Our complete buying guide is available if you are looking for winter tires, from premium to value-based.
So, How Much Do Winter Tires Cost & What Should You Expect To Pay?
Price of winter tires is affected by many factors, such as brand, type, quality and size. We won’t comment on the pricing of winter tires as each brand uses its own criteria. To give you an idea of snow or winter tires, however, we will discuss type and quality.
Below are approximate prices for a compact car of the famous 205/55R16 dimensions.
Type and size
There are three types of winters on the market: studded, studless and winter performance.
Studdless tires
Studdless winter tires are the perfect companion for cold conditions. These tires have soft rubber compounds and biting edges, which make them suitable for winter. Each standard studdless tire costs $60 and $550.
For a compact car, you can expect to pay $100-$150 per tyre or $400–$600 for the four of them. An SUV or light-duty pickup will cost you $200-$400 per tire, or $800-1200 for a set of 4.
Studded tires
Strutted tires offer a safer driving experience in extreme weather conditions such as freezing rain, snow, and sleet. These tires have metal studs that bite into the ice. This gives you better grip and handling. An studded tire would cost around $75-$550, or more. You can expect to pay $300 for two pairs and $2,200 for two.
You also have studdable options such as the Sailun IceblazerWST1studdable winter tire. This is a great option for drivers who need maximum traction even in extreme weather conditions.
Winter Performance tires
Winter performance tires are for guys who don’t want to park their cars in the garage during winter. These tires are made to provide excellent traction on both wet and dry roads. They are not the best companion for snow-packed or ice roads. An affordable high-performer regular model is around $100-$500 per or $400–$2,000 for the four.
What Factors Affect The Price Of Winters?
All prices are listed above. The smaller the tire, the more affordable it is. The price difference depends on the brand of tire, with American tires selling more than Chinese-made tires.
Other Expenses associated with winter tires
These prices are only for snow tires and do not include installation fees. There are two options for installation. There are two options for installation: either you can mount winter rubber on your existing wheels, or you can buy new wheels for all tires.
- A semi-annual tire replacement will cost around $40 to $80 depending on the type of tires. Re-mounting and rebalancing are included in the cost. You can also buy new tires for all tires. This makes it easy to wear winter tires in the face of snow, ice and slush. You will spend $120-$500 or more on four new wheels. There are always secondhand wheels available. They can be as cheap as $40 to HTML80.
- Federal law in the United States requires that new vehicles come equipped with Tire Pressure Monitoring System. Consumer Reports reports that cars without TPMS cannot have winter tires installed. To install the TPMS sensors, you will need to pay $50-$125 per tire, depending on your vehicle’s model and brand.
- You will need to purchase optional metal studs if you plan on using studdable winter tires. They are an additional $15-25 per tire.
Tips For Shopping Winter Tires
- You should be aware of the recommended size, speed rating, and load rating of your winter tires before you go shopping for them. These details are found in the vehicle’s manual, glove compartment, trunk lid and fuel-filler doors.
- Nearly all tire companies make snow and winter tires. It is up to you to choose the right tire for your needs and budget. Compare the prices of various tires to ensure you are comparing “outside” and “all-in” costs. This includes everything including the tire installation, valve stem and wheel balancing. Some workshops charge an additional $2-$25 per wheel for these services.
- You can also consider using winter tires if you are on a budget. You need to be careful about tread depth. You should measure the tread depth before you buy any tire that is less than 5/32″ (4 mm). Don’t buy tires with sidewall cracks, swells or blisters. Don’t buy tires that are exposed to high temperatures, sun, rain, or excessive sunlight.
- Tire manufacturers often offer discounts throughout the year. While some retailers offer discounts directly, others might give mail-in rebates. These discounts may be in the form of gift cards or pre-paid cards. The discount amount can vary depending on the size and type of product.
- Make sure you have new snow tires on all your wheels. Two new tires are sufficient for a two-wheel-drive vehicle. The vehicle will simply spin out of control if only two wheels grip properly.
- If your state or province permits studded tires, you should not purchase them.
Takeaway
Consumer Reports states that winter tires increase snow traction by 34%. This makes it easier to stop the vehicle and maneuver it. The braking distance is reduced by approximately six feet with these tires. This distance is the distance between you and a car rear-ending it or drifting into a crossroads, and carefully coming to an halt without causing any mishaps.
If you take care of your snow tires, you can also save money on insurance and get better gas mileage.
76% change their all-season tires to snow tires in order to have better traction. These tires are often credited with saving them from potentially dangerous situations.