Should You Lower Tire Pressure to Gain Traction in Snow?

When it comes to winter driving, most people know the importance of having good tires to provide a sure-footed grip for ice and snow. But a question that often comes up in the winter months is whether lowering the tire pressure can give you even better traction in the snow.

Off-roaders and beachgoers sometimes reduce inflation pressure to increase the surface area of tires that come in contact with dirt, mud, and sand so that they don’t sink into the terrain. (Of course, reinflation is necessary to safely drive back on pavement.) This is a useful trick for certain low-speed off-pavement situations, but it doesn’t translate well to winter driving.