• Winter tires grip better through snow and slushtire image by Orlando Florin Rosu from Fotolia.com
  
  Winter tires, or snow tires, provide added traction in winter conditions, but they aren't the best option for all season driving. Along with the increased grip, these tires come with certain restraints on driving. Winter tires come in three basic types: performance winter tires, studless snow tires and studded snow tires. All of them provide enhanced performance in winter conditions but give up speed and handling in return. Most types of winter tires should be installed four at a time, as skidding or handling issues can result from mixing them with all season or other types of tires.
  
  

Performance Tires

• Performance winter tires are designed to make the least amount of sacrifice to performance while providing enhanced grip in winter conditions. They are generally rated for higher speeds than other types of winter tires and offer better handling than other types of winter tires in regular conditions, but performance winter tires also will not perform as well in snow and ice. They are a good choice for areas where winters are not severe and for a driver who wants the extra handling capacity under normal conditions.
  
  

Studless Tires

• Studless winter tires, or regular snow tires, are specifically designed for use in winter conditions. They feature a special tread design to provide extra grip in snow/ice and are constructed of materials and compounds which enhance that capability. Narrower models will cut through the snow more easily than wide track tires. These studless winter tires are rated to lower speeds than all season or performance tires, so check manufacturer details and bear this in mind while highway driving under normal conditions. Also, due to the cold, tire pressures tend to decrease because heat expands the air, so check your tire pressure frequently.
  
  

Studded Tires

• Studded winter tires provide the maximum performance in adverse winter conditions. These are regular winter tires with the addition of small metal studs that are inserted into the tread to provide extra grip. The studs bite through the snow and ice to get a solid hold on the road, providing better handling and braking for winter driving. Because they chew up the road while chewing up the snow, they are restricted in many areas or are restricted to particular times of the year. Lighter studs (weighing 1.1 grams or less) offer a good compromise between performance and reduced pavement damage.