How Fast Can You Drive with Studded Tires? [Pros and Cons]

You are preparing your car for the winter season. You want your tires to have a better grip on the icy road.

You resort to having studded tires. Well, the studs can give you better traction despite the icy weather.

But how fast can you drive with studded tires? Can they affect your driving?

Studded tires have a speed of over 100 mph. Having this speed shows that driving with studded tires can be great.

But this is not so. Because studded tires are used on snow, you should not drive faster than 40 mph.

This is to avoid any danger that might happen to you. You should also know that studded tires have a break-in period.

During this period, you should not drive over 31 mph. This will be the speed for the first 62 miles that you should take.

If you want to know more about studded tires, you can watch the following video:

What is a Studded Tire?

You need studded tires if you always drive on snow-covered roads. They are the most effective because they have a grip on loose snow.

They are the most expensive but have some drawbacks. If you always use your vehicle in the winter season, studded tires will be the right choice for you.

Studded tires are tires with tiny metal studs. The studs dig into ice which gives traction on the road.

You can prevent your car from slipping down the icy road with the use of studs. Thus, you can avoid possible accidents with snow.

How Long Will Studded Tires Last?

Of course, you will want to know how long the studded tires will last. Are studded tires worth using?

The length of the life of studded tires may depend on the following factors:

• The life of the studded tires depends on how frequently you are using them. They can last as long as the life of the non-studded tires.
• You cannot use the studded tires throughout the year. You need to replace them during the summer season.

It is because there are laws that prohibit you from using studded tires when there is no snow.

• Using tires on gravel roads can make the tires wear faster. There is no difference with studded tires.

The more miles you drive on the studded tires, the more the tire will wear down.

Checking the Studded Tires

If you drive on studded tires only in wintertime, you do not have to pay particular attention to your studded tires. But to keep proper maintenance, you should check your studded tires every week.

Look for any sharp tacks or stones on the tires. Remove them if there are any.

Look for scuffs on the tread. This will be a sign of low tire pressure.

This is needed so that you will know if you have to inflate your tires. Driving on low tire pressure is not good.

Your tires may get flat. Or worse, you can have a blowout.

Check also if you are losing too many studs. To check the pressure, measure it by using a tire pressure gauge.

Remember that you should have tire pressure according to the recommended tire pressure in the manufacturer’s manual.

All-Season vs All-Weather Vs Winter Tires (Studded)

All-Season

All-season tires feature tread patterns and rubber compounds that make them suitable for use in wet conditions and a wide range of hot and cold temperatures. The tires are engineered to stand up to light snow, which means that drivers can use them year-round in most temperatures.

All-Weather

All-Weather tires are designed to handle the roads during any season. Combining the benefits of both All-Season and Snow tires, All-Weather tires cover you throughout the year — meaning they meet the standard for winter use while still being usable for spring, summer, and autumn.

Winter Tires (Studded)

These are studded tires that have large grooves and deep treads. They are good at digging on snow and ice. They are specifically made to displace water so that the tires will not lose traction. They can keep their grip even with extreme snowfall. They give good braking and acceleration control. The metal studs give the best traction by plowing into ice.

The Pros and Cons of Studded Tires

Pros

● Made from Tungsten

Studded tires have unmatched strength. Manufacturers use tungsten to provide a firm grip for the vehicle even in the most challenging driving conditions.

If you want to know more about studded tires made of tungsten, you can watch the following video:

● Avoids Vehicular Damage

Having studded tires will prevent you from the damage that you can get when you lose a chain or cable when driving. You will not worry that the exterior of your car will be damaged.

Through the help of the metal studs, the risk of damage will be lessened.

● Safe Incline

You can have great convenience when you are going to drive on a slope. In plowing, you may need cables and chains to ensure the grip on driving.

With the use of the studs, you can have your momentum during an uphill climb.

● Withstanding Extreme Weather Conditions

You can withstand extreme weather conditions like winter. The studs are designed to give you good acceleration and brake.

You will not be stranded on a highway with the help of the studs.

● Continuous Driving

If you will use cables and chains, you may need to stop your car once in a while when driving in bad weather conditions. But you do not need to stop with studded tires.

You can keep on driving because you know you can control the challenging situation. You will need fewer stops until you can come to your destination.

● Stable Driving

Driving with cables and chains can make your car vibrate. But you do not have to experience this vibration through studded tires.

Even if the snow is thick, you can drive normally.

Cons

● Changing the Entire Set of Tires

If you will use studded tires in winter, you have to change all of your tires. It is because driving with just two studded tires will not give you the right control of your vehicle.

● Studded Tires Cannot Be Found Inside the Factory Sometimes

Not all studded tires can be found at the factory. Most tires can be found at retail stores.

This means that you have to spend more on them. Though you can save money sometimes, this may not always be the case.

● Studded Tires Cost More

It can cost you $300 for 4 studded tires. Sometimes, you can spend $600 to have a complete set.

If you have a truck or SUV, it can even cost you $400 and $1200 for a complete set.

● Forced to Maintain Two Sets

Studded tires are prohibited in some locations. So, if you will drive on studded tires and you will reach a place where they are prohibited, you have to keep another set of tires to replace them.

Thus, you have to keep two sets of tires.

● Studded Tires Have a Noise

You can have an exterior noise every time you will drive on studded tires. It is because the metal will have an impact on the road.

Every time the studs have contact on the road, noise is created.

FAQs

Should Front Wheel Drive Have Studded Tires?

You should not apply studded tires only to the front axle. Install studded tires even to the rear axle to avoid bad handling of your vehicle.

Can Studded Tires Affect Gas Mileage?

If you will drive with studded tires in summer, you will need more energy to have a better grip on the road. This will make you need more gas.

You will require more gas mileage if you will drive with studded tires in summer.

When are Studded Tires Used?

Studded tires are used on snowy or icy roads. This is the choice of tires in winter.

They are suitable for people who live near the coast.

Can Studded Tires Damage the Road?

Because of friction, studded tires can damage the road. The studs can make ruts that can create ice build-up.

The road can also become slippery because the studs can create smoother surfaces.

Which is Better? Studded Tires Or Winter Tires?

When you live near the coast where you can experience icy conditions, studded tires can be better for you. This will be the choice for you if you drive on icy roads.

Why Are Studded Tires Illegal In Some States In The USA?

Jurisdictions protect road surfaces. Your studded tires can destroy paved surfaces.

It can create ruts on the road where water can freeze. Because they can damage the road, they are illegal in some places.

Are Studs for New Tires Only?

Yes, only new tires can be studded. If you have already driven on the tires, you cannot put studs on them anymore.

If you do so, you will put your tires at risk. Your tires can be damaged by incorrect stud lengths.

Unseen debris can also be trapped under the stud.

Do You Need 4 Studded Tires?

The answer can be no. You do not have to necessarily put studs on all your four tires.

But you have to know that installing the studs on the front wheel only can give you bad braking conditions.

Can Studded Tires Ruin the Driveway?

Studded tires can damage the driveway. The studs can punch the concrete surface which can result in pavement rutting.