Tire inflation and snow...

[Jesda]

When you inflate your winter tires, do you generally go towards higher or lower inflation? Which is best for traction?

[elwesso]

I keep mine a little higher. I put mine at about 40 all around..

I would think that it would be better to have them higher, that way the tread is being exposed very well...

[driverdriver]

The convention up here is 2 to 5 psi lower than normal to create a more maleable and larger contact patch to "bite" into the snow and to also (if possible) use a narrow tire, narrow tires have less plow force and thus cut through the snow better.

[redmanfx]

When I lived up north in B-more(Go Ravens!) tire pressure was reduced in winter during times of snow. More tire on the surface for traction. Higher psi caused broken traction and more slipage in the snow and ice. Actually, I was always taught it's pretty dangerous to increase tire pressure in the snow and on ice.

red

[SmithSR]

While the balloon theory of more air = less contact patch may well be used, keep in mind that the more important issue is rubber compound and a tire's ability to stay "soft" in extreme cold. All seasons and summer performance tires become hard and slick when too cold. Then you'd be back to no traction...

At least consider having a set of separate wheels/ winter tires (they don't have to be big dollar bling blingin units). Just something to give you traction when the snow and ice come

[Q45tech]

Tires that last over 10,000 miles [200-300-400 treadwaer rating] can't be considered excellant ice/snow tires.........the compounds are too hard in cold!

Same thing with using them more than one season the vulcanization continues as they sit resting over the summer.

[PoorManQ45]

Same thing with using them more than one season the vulcanization continues as they sit resting over the summer.

So, would it be a good idea to store the winter tires in the freezer

Definition of Vulcanization