Tires can be quite expensive, meaning you need to know the actual price when buying a new set or replacing your old ones.
Snow tires, in particular, can be pricey because they’re designed to offer better traction on the road. So, how much exactly do snow tires cost? Keep reading to learn more!
How Much Do Snow Tires Cost?
Snow tires are priced according to the type of tires you buy, the brand and size of the car. Standard winter tires can go for about $80 to $200 per tire, studded tires can cost $80 to $550 each, while high-performance winter tires can go for $100 to $500 or more. Additionally, giant-size tires for trucks will cost more.
To learn more about the price of snow tires, the cost of different winter tires, and why snow tires are more expensive, keep reading for more interesting facts!
What’s The Price Of Snow Tires?
During winter seasons, drivers are encouraged to swap their all season or summer tires for winter ones, because snow tires are made with softer rubber compounds and deeper treads that can comfortably handle snow-covered roads.
Tire manufacturers recommend that your car have winter tires between Thanksgiving and Easter because the temperatures drop below 45ºF.
Due to their design and unique build for this season, these tires tend to be expensive, sometimes more than other types of tires. Therefore, because of their price, most drivers question whether snow tires are worth it.
On average, snow tires for a standard vehicle can cost between $80 to $200 per tire, which is about $360 to $800 for a set of four tires, while SUVs and truck tires cost more due to their size.
What Are The Types Of Snow Tires And Their Cost?
There are different types of snow tires in the market today that can be used in various road conditions. You can either buy studded, studless or performance winter tires, of which are as follows:
1. Studded Snow Tires
Studded snow tires are designed with metal studs on the treads that provide more grip and traction on snow-covered roads.
Because of the tiny metal spikes, these tires can break through ice much better than traditional winter tires. However, these features also make them more expensive, which is a concern for some drivers.
Studded tires are built for prolonged use on snow, therefore, on average, they cost about $80 to $550 or more per tire. For the tires designed for Nordic conditions, the price could be much higher.
2. Studless Snow Tires
Studless tires have become more popular, and instead of the metal studs, these tires have advanced rubber compounding, tread designs, and other unique technologies that help the tires maintain flexibility under freezing temperatures.
Compared to all season tires, these studless tires also have deeper tread depths that help remove slush under the tires and boost traction.
When buying studless tires, the average cost is about $100-$150 per tire, which is $250-$600 for a set of four. If the tires are for your SUV or light truck, the price should be approximately $200-$400 each or $600-$1,200 for a set of four.
3. Performance Winter Tires
Winter performance tires are designed for high-performance sedans and sports cars. While they don’t dig into snow-packed roads, performance tires are designed to function safely when driving at high speeds in cold weather.
On average, these tires cost about $100-$500 each, or $300-$2,000 for a set of four.
Are Snow Tires Worth The Cost?
According to Consumer Reports, snow tires improve traction by about 34%, making it easier to start, steer and brake on ice-covered roads.
Further, listed below are some of the reasons why snow tires are a necessary investment:
1. They Improve Safety
According to the Federal Highway Administration, more than 1,300 people die, and over 116,800 people get injured annually due to car crashes on snowy or icy roads.
Snow tires are much safer than all-season tires or four-wheel drive cars because they have enough grip and traction to handle the snow-covered roads.
Therefore, since snow tires increase safety, the price is generally considered worthwhile.
2. They Keep You On The Road
Many people try to avoid driving during winter because they’re worried about getting stuck or losing traction in the middle of the road.
However, if your vehicle is your only option for getting around during the winter, installing a set of snow tires will help you feel more confident and safer on the road. Despite their cost, these tires come in handy for people who can’t afford to miss a day of work.
What Factors Affect The Cost Of Snow Tires?
Like other tires, snow tires also vary in price, which depends upon the following factors:
1. Tire Size
Smaller passenger car tires at about 14″ to 15″ are much cheaper than tires designed for larger trucks and SUVs, typically at 19″ to 22″. Therefore, keep in mind that your tires will be more costly depending on your car and the size needed.
2. Tire Brand
Tire manufacturers such as Michelin and Goodyear offer premium high-quality snow tires compared to some brands, though these premium tires will be more costly.
3. Tire Type
As we’ve established, some types of snow tires, such as the studded ones, are more costly than traditional winter tires, and are designed for better performance, hence the higher price.
How Do I Save Money On Snow Tires?
If you need snow tires but feel that they’re expensive, there are several ways to save money, such as the following:
1. Buy Used Tires
Instead of buying new tires, you can purchase second-hand tires as long as the tread is still good. Before getting these used tires, ensure you check for any cracks, cuts, and bulges. Additionally, you should avoid getting tires that were stored under hot temperatures for a long period of time.
2. Get Manufacturer Rebates
Tire retailers offer customer rebates occasionally. Therefore, before buying 4 tires, check which retailers have such offers to save money, as some shops run discounts that allow you to get one tire for free if you buy three.
If you are looking to learn more, you can also see our posts on how do snow tires work, how long do winter tires last, if you can drive in the snow with regular tires, and what are snow tires.
Conclusion
Snow tires are necessary, especially during winter. However, compared to other tires, they tend to be more expensive. On average, these tires sell for about $80 to $200 per tire, while studded and performance tires can go for up to $550 each or more.
These high costs are in place because snow tires are designed with rubber compounds to handle cold temperatures. Additionally, they have deeper tread depths to help your car navigate through snow-covered roads.