Despite the benefits, only a fraction of U.S. drivers use winter tires. They account for only about 2.1% of replacement tire sales. That’s partly because of the cost, partly because most people have no idea how much better they perform.
The difference in steering, accelerating and braking is enough that drivers in many parts of the world wouldn’t consider trusting the same tires on a sunny, 90-degree Fahrenheit day and a damp, 40-degree one, much less in an actual winter storm.
Winter tires, sometimes called snow tires, have different tread patterns. Like an iceberg, though, 90% of the substance is hidden under the surface. Winter tires are made of rubber compounds created to improve traction at low temperatures. The tread’s ability to grip snow or disperse water is almost beside the point.