If you are planning to move to an area that has very snowy weather during the cold winter months, you need to be sure to properly prepare for driving in the wintery weather. If you have never lived in an area that has a lot of snow, you may not realize that there are many different options for your tires when it comes to driving in snow and ice. The guide below walks you through information you need to know about the three most common options for safe driving in wintery weather.

Snow Chains

Snow chains are a great option for lightweight vehicles that will not be driving in snow constantly. They can easily be put on the tires and removed when they are not needed. You want to be sure to only use snow chains in snow that is a few inches deep to ensure that you do not ruin them on the roadway. Snow chains are often very inexpensive, making them the ideal choice for many drivers who do not have to drive in snow on a daily basis.

Studded Tires

If the roadways have more ice than snow, studded tires are your best option. Choose from tires that have rubber or metal studs already added to them or tires that can be studded later on down the road. It is important to make sure that studded tires are allowed to be used in the area where you plan to move because some areas restrict the use of studded tires to specific months of the year. The studded tires can damage the roadways and the jurisdictions want to minimize the damage as much as possible and restricting use of studded tires can help a lot. You can find out the restrictions for the area where you plan to move by contacting the local Department of Motor Vehicles for that area.

Snow Tires

Snow tires are a great option for winter driving because they are specifically designed for driving in wintery weather. When purchasing snow tires, you want to be sure that you purchase them in sets of four to ensure maximum grip when driving on the road. Have them installed by professionals to have them properly mounted and balanced. You do not want to drive around on snow tires year round because the tread can easily be damaged if driven during hot summer months.

Take the time to talk to an associate at the tire store about where you plan to move and which option would best suit the area. It is important to take your time when first driving with any of these tire options to ensure that you are as safe as you can be because driving in snow can sometimes be quite an adjustment for some drivers.