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Do you Need Winter Tires if you have AWD?

Blog Dec 29th, 2025
Vehicle driving through snow closeup on tire

All-wheel drive (AWD) and four-wheel drive have made it easy for drivers to navigate through rough road conditions. It’s a common belief that these capabilities mean your vehicle doesn’t need winter tires. That is incorrect. While AWD does provide several advantages, it doesn’t eliminate the need for winter tires. Continue reading with the experts at Yellowknife Motors to learn why.

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The Purpose of AWD

Vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive are very common, and for good reason. This system works to send power to all four wheels of your vehicle if it starts to lose traction, allowing for enhanced grip and stability in slippery conditions. But AWD only helps you go, not stop. Winter tires ensure your vehicle has crucial grip and are a must for improved braking distance or cornering ability in the winter.

The Winter Tire Difference 

Winter tires are crafted to perform in cold temperatures. Made of a special rubber compound, these tires remain flexible when the weather drops below 7°C, allowing for superior grip. They also feature deep grooves and biting edges that work to take on snow and slush. This isn’t something all-season tires can do. Constructed of a harder rubber, the material hardens when the temperature drops below 7°C, reducing grip and braking ability. 

Why Winter Tires Are A Must

There’s no denying the upfront cost you have to pay to acquire a separate set of tires for winter. However, the cost is worth it when you consider all the benefits winter tires offer. For one, alternating between all-season and winter tires allows you to extend their lifespan. Many insurance companies also offer discounts when drivers install winter tires. So if the cost of these tires is what’s keeping you back, there’s no need to worry. When you add up the savings winter tires provide, they pay for themselves soon enough.

Get Winter Tires for Your Vehicle at Yellowknife Motors

Yellowknife Motors is your go-to for winter tires in Yellowknife, NWT. Visit our online tire shopping centre to find the tires that work for your vehicle. We offer a range of other services to help your vehicle run optimally in the winter. Book your service appointment today.

Yellowknife MotorsBlogServiceDo you Need Winter Tires if you have AWD?