Do You Need Winter Tires If You Have AWD or 4WD?

If your SUV or truck has all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, it is natural to wonder whether winter tires are worth it. AWD and 4WD vehicles feel sure-footed pulling away from a snowy stop sign, but getting moving is only one of three jobs your tires do in winter. The other two, stopping and turning, have very little to do with how many wheels are driven.

What AWD and 4WD actually do in snow

All-wheel drive and four-wheel drive both deliver engine power to more than two wheels. The details vary by vehicle, but the basic idea is simple:

• AWD systems usually work on their own. In normal driving, many send most of the power to one axle, then shift power toward the wheels that have grip when sensors detect slipping.
• 4WD systems, common on pickups and truck-based SUVs, drive both axles and are often switched on by the driver. Your owner’s manual explains when each mode should and should not be used.

Either way, the benefit shows up when you accelerate. Spreading power across four tires instead of two means each one is less likely to spin, which is why AWD and 4WD vehicles are good at pulling out of a snowy driveway or climbing a slippery hill.

Why AWD does not help you stop or steer

Every modern car and truck already brakes with all four wheels. Sending engine power to more wheels does not change that. When you press the brake pedal on a snowy road, an AWD crossover and a front-wheel-drive sedan rely on the same thing: the grip between four small patches of rubber and the road.

Turning works the same way. To go around a corner, your tires have to grip sideways. The drivetrain cannot add sideways grip, so an AWD vehicle on tires that have gone hard in the cold can slide wide just as easily as any other vehicle on the same tires.

Electronic helpers do not change this. Anti-lock brakes keep the wheels from locking so you can steer while braking, and stability and traction control trim power or brake single wheels to keep the vehicle on course. They can only manage the grip your tires provide; they cannot create more.

There is also a human side. Because AWD makes it so easy to get up to speed on snow, you can end up going faster than your tires can safely stop you. Tire makers’ winter guidance makes the point directly: a front-wheel-drive car on winter tires can stop and handle better on snow and ice than an AWD vehicle on all-season tires.

What winter tires change

Winter tires are built for the jobs AWD cannot do. Three design features make the difference:

• Cold-weather rubber. Winter tread compounds are made to stay soft and flexible in freezing temperatures, when all-season rubber starts to firm up and lose grip.
• Deeper, more open tread. Wider grooves and chunkier blocks help the tire bite into snow and clear slush.
• Lots of sipes. Sipes are thin slits cut across the tread blocks. They add many small biting edges that help on packed snow and ice.

Winter tires generally carry the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol on the sidewall, which means the tire met an industry snow-traction test on medium-packed snow. That test measures traction when accelerating; it does not rate braking or grip on ice. The older M+S (mud and snow) marking is different: it describes the tread design and does not require a snow performance test. A common rule of thumb from tire makers is to put winter tires on once temperatures stay below about 45°F (7°C). For a closer look at how the two tire types compare, see our guide to winter tires vs. all-season tires.

Why four matching tires matter on AWD

If you decide on winter tires, plan on a full set of four. Tire makers recommend four winter tires whether a vehicle is front-, rear- or all-wheel drive. With winter tires on only one axle, the front and rear have very different grip, which can make the vehicle hard to control in a sudden stop or turn. If the winter tires are only on the front, the rear end can slide out.

AWD adds one more reason to match all four. Many AWD systems are designed around four tires that are very close in size and tread depth. A new tire is slightly larger around than a worn one, so it turns at a different speed. The system can read that as slipping, send power where it is not needed and put extra strain on drivetrain parts.

• Buy four of the same tire model in the same size. Your correct size is on the tire and loading label in the driver’s door jamb and in the owner’s manual.
• Check the owner’s manual for how much tread-depth difference your AWD system allows. Some automakers set tight limits.
• If you ever need to replace just one tire on an AWD vehicle, ask your tire shop whether the new tire can be shaved down to match the others. Some shops offer this service.

When all-season or all-weather tires may be enough

Winter tires are not a must for everyone. Where snow is rare and roads are cleared quickly, a set of good all-season tires with healthy tread may cover your needs. Check the tread before winter arrives, because worn tires have less rubber left to grip snow and clear water.

There is also a middle option: all-weather tires. They are designed to stay on all year, and unlike most all-season tires they carry the 3PMSF symbol, so they have passed the same snow-traction test as winter tires. Consumer Reports’ testers say they typically do not match a dedicated winter tire but come close enough for most needs. All-weather tires are not always listed as a separate type, so check the product name and specs for the 3PMSF mark. If your truck or SUV also sees gravel and dirt roads, some all-terrain tires carry the symbol too.

These questions can help you decide:

• Do you have to drive on snowy or icy mornings, or can you wait for the plows?
• Do temperatures stay below freezing for weeks at a time?
• Are there hills, curves or unplowed roads on your regular routes?
• Do you drive into the mountains for skiing or holidays?

The more of these you answer yes to, the stronger the case for winter tires, whatever your drivetrain. Also check your state’s rules before winter trips. Under Colorado’s Traction Law, for example, AWD and 4WD vehicles still need tires with at least 3/16 inch of tread that are winter (mountain-snowflake), all-weather or M+S rated when the law is in effect, or else chains or an approved traction device. Rules differ by state and road, so check with your state DOT.

How to shop for winter tires for an AWD or 4WD vehicle

1. Find your size. Use the door-jamb placard or owner’s manual, and stick with the original size unless the manual lists an approved alternative.
2. Match the load rating. Heavier SUVs and trucks may call for extra-load (XL) or LT tires. The placard and manual tell you what your vehicle needs, and a certified tire shop can confirm it.
3. Choose four of the same model. Browse our winter tires, or narrow the list with SUV and crossover tires. Brands such as Bridgestone, Continental, Nokian and Goodyear all make winter lines.
4. Plan installation. You can ship tires straight to a local installer: call the shop first to make sure they will accept the delivery, then enter the shop’s address as the shipping address and the shop’s name in the Company name field.

Shipping is free on orders to the contiguous US (the 48 states plus Washington, DC). Orders are processed in 1–2 business days (Monday to Friday) and usually arrive 2–3 business days after shipping; these are estimates, and our shipping policy has the details. For help narrowing down a specific model, read how to choose the right winter tire for your vehicle.