At Rosen Hyundai, we're often asked what to look for in winter tires.  While we're happy to make recommendations as part of our Hyundai Tips series, we think it's also important to note that, if you're thinking of buying your Hyundai winter tires, you should also know how to maintain and use them properly for harsh Lake Geneva, WI winters.  Beyond getting the most for your dollar, after all, it's also essential that your family is always safe when driving.  It's for this reason that we've provided a winter tire tip list that also includes information on how to get the most out of any winter tires you select for your Hyundai.

What Are Winter Tires?

Winter tires, which are also often called 'snow tires', are tires that are designed for operation on icy or snowy terrain and for use when the temperature is below 45 degrees Fahrenheit.  In general, they feature an increased number of 'sipes', which are small slits that are cut across the tire's tread pattern.  This gives them increased traction in slippery conditions.  Another type of snow or winter tires features metal studs.  While studded tires enhance traction even further by acting as cleats that dig into the road, they do cause damage to any surface they're used and so are banned in many areas. 

When buying your Hyundai winter tires, keep the following tips in mind:

•    Up to a point, the more sipes a tire has, the greater the traction it will provide in snow and mud.

•    Tire tread block shapes, grooves, and siping patterns affect both driving characteristics and noise.  Generally, wide, straight grooves have a low noise level and excellent water removal characteristics.  More lateral grooves and sipes usually increase traction, however.

•    Large sipes are usually built into winter tires during manufacturing, however an additional second pattern of smaller sipes can be cut through afterwards by the tire maker to create a 'cross-hatch' sipe pattern during a process that is referred to as 'microsiping'. 

•    While microsiping can dramatically improve traction, it also makes it far more likely that loose rocks, glass, flakes of metal, and other harmful debris can become caught in the resulting patterns.  This generally causes the tire to wear down faster.

•    Machines and services for microsiping tires after their initial sale exist, however, though they improve traction, they do usually lead to a faster tire decay rate.  It is not recommended that drivers sipe their own tires by hand using a knife or other cutting tool.

•    Extreme, dedicated snow tire examples with thousands of sipes are available.  While these provide excellent traction in winter storm conditions, keep in mind, when buying your Hyundai snow tires, that they can feel 'squishy' on dry or flat roads

•    The majority of Illinois residents should never buy studded tires.  While studded winter tires do provide enhanced traction, they are banned in all Illinois jurisdictions for anyone other than disabled drivers who live in rural areas and postal carriers.  This is because of the long term damage they inflict on roads.

While specific groove and sipe patterns affect performance, when it comes down to what to look for in winter tires, the bottom line is that there is a trade-off between traction and durability that directly relates to how many sipes have been cut into a tire.  Microsiped tires provide the greatest traction, however they wear down faster, while tires with no or few sipes or grooves last longer, yet are slicker in wet or snowy conditions. 

How Can I Get The Most Out Of My Tires?

Now that you know what to look for in winter tires, it's important to discuss how to not only get the most out of them, but also make sure they're always used safely.  While these Hyundai Tips should also be combined with common sense, they can help you get the most out of your winter tires:

•    Never under inflate your tires.  While a common misconception holds that under inflation enhances traction, it is not based on sound engineering.  Under inflation actually causes increased stress on tires and can lead to dangerous blowouts.

•    Spinning your tires at high speed can also lead to blowouts.  If your car is slipping, never try to accelerate.

•    Tires lose air pressure during cold weather, so it's essential to check them on a regular basis or after extreme cold snaps.

•    When cleaning your car during the winter, be sure to wash any debris out of the sipes and grooves on your winter tires.

Though these Hyundai Tips provide drivers with the basics of winter tires and how they should be used, we understand that some consumers will always feel better if their tire care is in the hands of professionals. Not located far from Lake Geneva, WI, residents can Call (888) 806-3252 to arrange tire changes or inspections that are handled by the technicians at Rosen Hyundai or, to purchase tires, contact Rosen Hyundai's Parts Department at (888) 711-0491.  We carry all major brands, including Hankook, Continental, Bridgestone, and Kumho.