Some drivers believe removing studs from their winter tires will transform them into reliable all-season tires. We disagree. Learn why we do not recommend removing studs from tires.
Some drivers may try to extend the service life of their studded winter tires by removing tire studs. This is done to "convert" old winter tires into "all season tires". Although you may save money by repurposing old winter tires, it can come at the cost of reduced safety in traffic. Read more about why removing studs from winter tires is not an alternative for premium all season tires.
Why removing studs from tires is not recommended
When you remove the studs from your winter tires, you are essentially eliminating the tires’ key, superior safety feature for winter driving.
Repurposing winter tires after removing tire studs is not equivalent to using proper all-season tires. All-season tires are built for warmer driving conditions and designed to be highly effective at channeling water from the road surface, thus minimizing the risk of hydroplaning.
A studded winter tire, on the other hand, was originally designed for winter use. Even with its tire studs removed, it was built with a softer tread compound that remain flexible in the cold to handle snowy and icy road surfaces. The softer tread thereforce wears away faster in warmer weather and on dry roads, while having unreliable grip properties on rainy, wet roads.
There is also the risk that using older tires carries, which is the possibility of having very little tread depth left. So stud removal may not be an effective way to get more miles out of an older set of studded tires.
Studded vs studless winter tires
Drivers choose studded winter tires primarily to drive safely in the most demanding of winter conditions, especially is roads that are consistenly covered in snow and ice and treacherous when driving with insufficient tires. The studs provide unmatched ice traction.
Studded winter tires (snow tires) are not the only safe option, however. Studded tires may be more than what is needed for drivers who consitently drive on ploughed roads in metropolitan or highly traveled areas. It's also possible studded tires are illegal in your state or province - check your local laws and regulations to be sure.
Non-studded tires are designed to provide excellent traction and performance in the winter without the studs. The tread pattern, specialized rubber compound, and siping of these tires are designed to provide traction in difficult winter driving conditions. If your state or province has outlawed studded tires, you can consider non-studded tires a safe alternative.
Even if your winter tire does not have studs, if it is emblazoned with the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF), it is still intended for winter use.
Safe winter driving with premium studded tires
Although the primary motive for most drivers to remove studs from their winter tires is to extend their service life, others are concerned about tire noise and possible damage to road surfaces that tire studs can cause. Cheaper studded snow tires may be louder and handle the road surface roughly. Premium winter tires are designed with comfortable noise levels and road-friendly performance in mind.
Find reliable studded and non-studded tires from your local Nokian Tyres dealer for safe winter driving. When choosing tires for winter driving, make sure to check your local regulations for the use of tire studs and winter tires in general.
Please remember that it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure their tires are safe and suitable for their vehicle and to follow the vehicle’s manufacturer´s guidelines for proper use and maintenance. Consult your closest Nokian Tyres dealer or your vehicle’s manufacturer for specific advice.
