During a Traction Law, all motorists are required to have EITHER: 4WD or AWD vehicle and 3/16” tread depth. Tires with a mud and snow designation (M+S icon) and 3/16” tread depth. Winter tires (mountain-snowflake icon) and 3/16” tread depth.
Can you use all season tires in Colorado?
All-weather tires are considered safe in winter conditions, particularly conditions with heavy rain, slush or wet snow.
Do I need snow tires if I live in Denver?
If one is traveling regularly in the foothills west of Denver or in the mountains proper, then snow tires would be required. But the majority of passenger vehicles in Denver use all season radials.
Can you drive on snow with normal tires?
When the air temperature exceeds 32°F, the surface of the ice gets slushy. As the water film and slush deepen, your tires’ grip gets worse, making slippage more likely. When you’re faced with these tough winter road conditions, a regular tire won’t give you the same grip and handling that a snow tire could.
When can you switch to summer tires in Colorado?
Summer Tires – May/June
Regardless of your choice, a good rule of thumb is to refrain from switching out of purely winter tires until May, but hold off even longer if you intend to visit the mountains.
What kind of tires do I need in Colorado?
All motorists must have snow tires, tires with mud/snow (M+S) designation or a four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicle. All tires must have a minimum 1/8 inch tread, which you can check using a quarter.
How do I winterize my car in Colorado?
Winterize your Colorado Car
- Stay on top of tire maintenance. Icy and wet roads can cause dangerous accidents in the winter.
- Check your battery.
- Change your wiper blades and refill your wiper fluid.
- Check your four-wheel drive.
- Check your antifreeze mixture.
- Change the oil and adjust the viscosity.
- Stock your emergency car kit.
Are all-season tires good for Denver?
For the average driver who relies on their car to get them around Metro Denver driving to and from work, school and local activities, an all-season tire is good. The tire has a rubber composition and tread that provides traction in a wide range of temperatures.
Is it hard to drive in Colorado in winter?
Advice for Snowy and Icy Driving Conditions in Colorado. It doesn’t take long for conditions to become treacherous in states that have winter weather for part of the year. Roads can get slick and icy fast, making driving a challenge for even the most seasoned driver.
Do you need snow tires in Fort Collins CO?
During an active Traction Law, motorists will need to have either snow tires, tires with the mud/snow (M+S) designation or a four-wheel/all-wheel drive vehicle, with all tires required to have a minimum one-eighth inch tread.
Are snow tires really necessary?
Snow tires outperform all-season tires under snowy and icy conditions. They’ll give you better traction, more stability in turns and better stopping power. If you wonder whether your “all-season” tires perform just as well in snow as the best snow tires, we have the answer. They don’t, and it’s really not even close.
Is all-season tire good for snow?
Many all-season tires do great in the rain and bare pavement year-round. While a set of all-season tires can offer some traction in light snow and the occasional winter storm, they’re not designed for deep snow, ice, and cold weather (when temperatures stay below ~45º F).
Is FWD or AWD better in snow?
FWD, Which Is Better In Ice and Snow? All-wheel-drive is usually better in ice and snow because it engages all four wheels to get started and to keep you moving. With modern traction and stability controls, an all-wheel-drive vehicle can handle most snow and ice conditions.
Do you need snow tires with AWD?
You can probably safely drive your AWD (all-wheel-drive) with all-season tires in light or moderate snow. But it’s a common misperception that AWDs will drive like tanks in slick conditions. It’s recommended that you have either winter tires or snow chains on your AWD if you’re driving in a blizzard or icy conditions.
What happens if I leave my snow tires on all year?
Unfortunately, using snow tires year round isn’t recommended. In the long run, it will cost more money than changing them out and could compromise your vehicle’s performance on the road.
Can you drive snow tires on dry pavement?
Here are some specific reasons why using winter tires year round is not recommended. Faster wear on warm, dry pavement – the tread rubber of winter tires is considerably more flexible than that of all season and summer tires.
Do you need studded tires in Colorado?
Snow tires are probably the best bet for Colorado winter driving. However, drivers can use studded tires if they wish. Colorado has no restrictions on studded snow tires at this time.
What is better snow tires or studded tires?
Studless snow tires work well on slush and packed snow. They get traction through wide, deep grooves and lots of irregular surfaces with sharp edges. This allows the rubber to cut through snow and grip the road. Studded tires provide the best traction you can get, even when you’re encountering ice or packed snow.
How do people survive winter in Colorado?
The Ultimate Guide to Surviving, and Thriving, in Winter in…
- Invest in a quality winter coat.
- Get a good pair of boots.
- Sand or cat litter will be a saving grace.
- Keep cardboard at the ready.
- A good glove ice scraper.
- Keep some snacks in your car.
- Buy a propane camp stove.
- Keep battery-powered flares in your car.
Can you drive in snow without winter tires?
In Alberta and Saskatchewan, winter tires are not mandatory but both governments recommend their usage during severe weather conditions. The same goes for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and, perhaps surprisingly, the Territories.
What does Colorado use on icy roads?
CDOT uses two types of solid de-icers: Ice Slicer—Made of granular salt and magnesium chloride. Sand or Sand/Salt Mixture—Mainly used in the high elevations and the eastern plains where more extreme cold temperatures exist and more traction is needed.
