Mud Terrain Tires in Snow
When winter sets in, most drivers begin to prepare their vehicles for the snow, ice, and cold. For off-road enthusiasts, however, the challenge is even greater. Mud terrain (MT) tires are a common choice for vehicles designed to tackle rugged terrains, but how do they fare when snow starts falling and the roads become slippery? In this article, we will explore the performance of mud terrain tires in snow, backed by specific research data and real-world insights, to help you make an informed decision when choosing the right tire for your off-road adventures during the winter months.
Understanding Mud Terrain Tires
Mud terrain tires are specifically designed for off-road conditions, featuring large, aggressive tread blocks with deep voids and wide spaces between them. These tires are engineered to excel in off-road environments, such as mud, sand, gravel, and rocks. The design prioritizes traction and self-cleaning properties, allowing the tire to shed debris and mud, maintaining optimal grip in challenging conditions.
While these tires perform exceptionally well in off-road settings, many drivers wonder how they behave in snow, where traction is paramount for safe driving. To answer this question, we’ll look at how mud terrain tires stack up against other tire types like all-terrain tires (AT) and winter tires when it comes to snow and ice traction.
Mud Terrain Tires in Snow: How Do They Perform?
Traction and Grip
One of the primary reasons mud terrain tires struggle in snow is their tread design. The large voids between the tread blocks, while excellent for mud and loose surfaces, don’t provide optimal contact with packed snow or icy surfaces. This can lead to reduced traction, especially on hard-packed snow or ice, where more continuous contact with the road surface is necessary.
In contrast, winter tires feature smaller, densely packed tread blocks designed to bite into snow and ice, offering superior grip. All-terrain tires, on the other hand, strike a balance between off-road and on-road performance, often offering better traction in snow than mud terrain tires due to their less aggressive tread design and better road contact.
Key Performance Metrics
Let's take a closer look at some specific performance metrics comparing mud terrain tires to winter tires and all-terrain tires in snowy conditions. The data below was compiled from various tire tests, including both laboratory simulations and real-world testing.
| Tire Type | Snow Traction (1-10) | Ice Traction (1-10) | Off-road Performance (1-10) | Road Noise (1-10) | Wet Traction (1-10) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mud Terrain (MT) | 4 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
| Winter Tires | 9 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 8 |
| All-Terrain (AT) | 6 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 7 |
Snow Traction: Mud terrain tires rate significantly lower in snow traction compared to winter and even all-terrain tires. The large, aggressive tread design of MT tires is less effective in snow, where finer tread patterns are required for optimal grip.
Ice Traction: When it comes to ice, the story is the same. Winter tires, equipped with softer rubber compounds and micro-sipes, outperform MT tires by a significant margin. MT tires lack the necessary features to bite into ice, making them less suitable for icy roads.
Off-road Performance: Mud terrain tires excel in off-road performance, maintaining their grip on loose and muddy surfaces, which is a critical factor for off-road enthusiasts. In contrast, winter and all-terrain tires tend to fall short in extreme off-road conditions.
Road Noise: Mud terrain tires are typically louder than all-terrain or winter tires due to their aggressive tread design. This can become a nuisance for drivers who use their off-road vehicles as daily commuters during the winter.
Wet Traction: Mud terrain tires perform adequately in wet conditions, but they are not as effective as winter tires or all-terrain tires in maintaining traction on slick, wet roads.
The picture shows two mud-terrain tires in the snow. Their tread patterns are rough and deep, showing their strong grip.
The Importance of Tread Design in Snow
The tread design of mud terrain tires plays a crucial role in their performance in snow. While the deep voids and aggressive tread blocks help shed mud and gravel, they are not ideal for maintaining consistent contact with snow-covered or icy roads. For snow, tires with more substantial and denser tread patterns—like those found in winter tires—offer better traction.
Winter tires are specifically designed with thousands of tiny grooves (sipes) that allow the rubber to grip snow and ice. Additionally, winter tires use a softer rubber compound that remains flexible in low temperatures, further enhancing traction. Mud terrain tires, with their stiff and durable rubber, may harden in cold weather, decreasing their effectiveness on snow.
Real-World Performance Examples
Let’s explore a couple of real-world case studies where drivers tested mud terrain tires in snow conditions.
Off-Road Adventure in the Rockies
In the Colorado Rockies, an off-road enthusiast tested a set of mud terrain tires on a 4x4 truck in moderate snow conditions. The vehicle was driven on both packed snow and unplowed dirt trails covered with a thin layer of snow. The results showed that while the MT tires performed excellently in deep, unpacked snow and mud, they struggled on packed snow roads, with noticeable slipping and lack of control in some situations. The driver experienced difficulty maintaining traction on steeper, snow-covered inclines, especially when crossing icy patches.
Snow Driving in Northern Canada
In Northern Canada, a driver used mud terrain tires on an off-road vehicle during a snowstorm. The mud terrain tires performed poorly on slick, icy roads, with the vehicle sliding during braking. The driver noted that the tires lacked the stability and grip needed for safe travel on ice. However, on unplowed dirt roads, the MT tires showed impressive performance, clearing snow and providing good traction in deeper snow.
Best Practices for Using Mud Terrain Tires in Snow
If you are determined to use mud terrain tires during the winter, here are some best practices to ensure safer driving in snowy conditions:
Lower Tire Pressure: Reducing the tire pressure slightly can help improve traction in snow, as it increases the tire’s footprint, allowing for better grip.
Use Chains or Traction Devices: For extra traction on ice and compact snow, consider using tire chains or other traction devices in addition to your mud terrain tires.
Avoid Slippery Roads: If you are not driving off-road, consider avoiding icy and slippery roads altogether. Mud terrain tires are not designed for high-speed snow driving.
Upgrade to All-Terrain or Winter Tires: If you frequently drive in snowy conditions, it’s highly recommended to switch to all-terrain or winter tires, which will offer superior safety and traction in snow and ice.
Conclusion
Mud terrain tires are fantastic for off-road conditions, but their performance in snow leaves much to be desired. While they excel in deep snow and muddy conditions, they do not provide the same level of grip and safety on packed snow or icy roads as winter tires or all-terrain tires. If you plan to drive frequently in snow, consider using winter tires for better safety and traction.
However, if you’re an off-road enthusiast who doesn’t want to compromise on off-road performance, there are solutions, such as tire chains or adjusting tire pressure, that can help maximize the performance of your mud terrain tires in snowy conditions.
At UltraForce Tires, we specialize in designing high-performance off-road tires that excel in various weather conditions, from sand and gravel to snow and ice. With decades of experience, we offer a range of customized solutions to meet your off-road needs. Whether you need specialized tread designs, sidewall customization, or performance adjustments, UltraForce Tires is here to support you every step of the way. Reach out to us today and experience the ultimate in off-road tire performance.
