deerman2701

Does running lower PSI tire pressure in my snow tires, (Blizzak WS60) help or reduce my traction in snow?

I was just wondering if it is best to run lower, normal, or higher pressure in my winter tires when dealing with snowy covered driving? My car manual says 29 PSI front 30 PSI rear.

toyomatt84

iTrader: (1)

Its best to run normal pressures when you're on roads. If you were running off-road, I'd recommend airing down to a lower pressure to make the tires flex and have more surface area contacting the snow to help keep the car above the surface of snow. But, since you're probably driving on public roads that are paved (or even dirt/gravel roads), its best to keep them at normal tire pressures so they can cut through the snow to the road surface.

0doc@tirerack

WE'd normally want to see you run a little higher PSI over stock recommendations to give you some room to account for PSI loss to temperature change;

Matt is correct (as always) that reducing PSI only flattens the tire out which is the wrong direction to head for snow tires.