GET A GRIP; Winter tires aren't just about snow-the temperature matters, too.(News)

Byline: JONATHAN WONG

A different set of tires is essential for the colder months, especially for owners of high-performance cars that typically come with grippy summer-only rubber.

"If you live in an area that will receive snow, you should consider winter tires, because they work well in the snow and in below-freezing temperatures, says John Rastetter of Tire Rack.

Shouldn't all-season tires be OK? Yes, especially if you live where the snow is rarely deep or if you do all of your driving in urban areas where the roads are cleared quickly. But Rastetter says the all-season variety will be far from ideal in a big storm or severe conditions.

"There is still no technology that can create a tire that can do it all really well, he points out.

Tire Rack is a retailer with an interest in selling tires, of course, but it also does road-testing of tires and provides shoppers with comparative data on its Web site. Rastetter isn't just making a sales pitchTire Rack has the objective analysis showing that the differences among compounds are profound.

"Because an all-season tire has to be able to survive in summer's warmth, its compound's flexibility cannot be as pliable in below-freezing temperatures. As the compound stiffens, it sacrifices traction in both wet and snow-covered conditions.