Call them passionate but some drivers enjoy driving their Mustangs year-round and into the winter season. Although Mustangs are well-known for their roaring engines and amazing for summer road trips, you’ll still find them braving the icy winter roads.
The deciding factor? The right set of winter tires.
These cars are built for speed and power but can be a liability without proper traction, especially as the mercury dips. Written for those who either live in colder climates or are considering if they should even drive a Mustang when the snow falls, we dive into some essential tips including some top tire recommendations to give you confidence in navigating those snow-covered roads.
Mustangs in Winter: A Surprising Sight
Let’s face it, ‘Stangs are summer vehicles that usually get tucked away in a garage during colder months. For those whose Mustang is their only vehicle or they simply commit to making it their daily, they’re having to embrace driving through winter’s challenges.
Modern versions of these rear-wheel-biased vehicles, equipped with advanced stability control systems, can perform rather admirably in colder weather if you pair them with proper winter tires.
However, driving any high-performance vehicle in snow, slush, or ice can quickly become a nightmare with the right preparation, and that’s where winter tires play a crucial role.
Take it from our team. One of our writers lives in Calgary, Alberta where weather conditions can dip to below -40F (-40C). Yep, you read that right.
The Importance of Winter Tires
Let’s talk about winter tires as a whole and why we recommend them. The primary difference between winter tires and other types (e.g., all-season, summer) is the material compounds and treads used in their design.
All-season and summer tires use rubber compounds to grip the road in warm to hot conditions. However, when you subject them to cold and freezing temperatures, the materials harden and essentially turn them into hockey pucks, significantly reducing your grip and handling. Winter tires, however, use a special rubber that remains flexible in cold environments which allows them to maintain contact with the road and provide you with much-needed traction.
There are a couple of other considerations:
- Temperature Sensitivity: When temperatures fall below 45°F (7°C), regular tires begin to lose their effectiveness. As mentioned, winter tires are engineered to stay pliable, maximizing traction even in freezing conditions. This softer material is critical for maintaining control, especially when conditions are unpredictable. This becomes even more important as we talk about location. Winter isn’t the same everywhere.
- Tread Design: Winter tires have deeper, more aggressive treads with numerous sipes that help move water and debris, thereby providing extra grip on icy or snowy roads. The special tread design is found only on winter tires which helps drivers manage the slippery surfaces that make Mustangs particularly prone to sliding due to their rear-wheel drive.
In winter conditions where traction is your greatest ally, winter tires are not just a luxury but a necessity for Mustang drivers who need enhanced safety and control when temperatures plummet.
Location Matters: Tailoring Tire Choices to Your Region
Next, let’s talk about locality. Unlike Game of Thrones where winter comes and everything sucks, not all states (and Canadian provinces) experience the same winter driving conditions. Therefore, it’s essential to choose winter tires based on where you live and how you plan to drive your Mustang during the colder months.
Mild Winter Conditions (Kinda cold, not so bad)
If you live in an area that experiences mild winters (talking about you folks on the South or the West Coast), having winter tires that handle light snow or occasional icy patches could suffice. You might be tempted to get all-season tires which could work in a pinch, but dedicated winter tires still provide superior performance.
Yes, it’s an extra set of rubber that you’ll need to purchase but swapping them is relatively easy, doesn’t cost a lot, and you essentially double the shelf life of both sets of tires.
Harsh Winter Conditions (Holy hell, my nuts are in my chest)
For those who live in states known for heavy snow and ice, such as the Midwest or New England, you’ll want to invest in a robust set of winter tires. In these regions, you’ll combat massive snow dumps, black ice, and slush when things begin to melt (and at some point refreeze).
Therefore, dedicated winter tires with deeper grooves and aggressive tread patterns will keep your ass safe in snowstorms and on icy roads. The enhanced grip delivered by winter tires is a non-negotiable if you want good braking power and better handling when roads are slick.
Top Winter Tire Options for Mustang Owners
Whether you drive an OG ‘Stang from the classic years (1st to 4th gen) or the modern years (5th gen and onward), performance is everything when driving in winter conditions.
Below are some top choices that will ensure your Mustang keeps its composure, even when roads get treacherous.
There are dozens of options out there. For additional winter tire options that are well-suited to Mustang drivers, you can explore various models at NeoTires, where a range of awesome tires are available to suit different winter driving conditions. These are some of our favorites, and we’ll tell you why.
Michelin X-Ice Xi3
The X-Ice series has been around for a while and is a well-known option for any car owners seeking reliable winter performance.
This tire utilizes a unique tread design with Cross Z Sipes that interlock to provide excellent grip on icy and snowy roads and when you pair it when Michelin’s “FleX-Ice” compound, you have a tire that remains flexible in low temps yet gives you premium traction and grip.
Additionally, it’s got relatively low road noise and is designed for long-lasting performance since it’s rated for up to ~37,000 miles (60,000km). With average use, you’ll be able to ride these bad boys out for several years, at least.
Key Features
- Silica-based rubber for winter flexibility
- Unique tread design that clears snow efficiently
- Long tread life for multiple seasons of use
Bridgestone Blizzak WS90
Bridgestone’s Blizzak series is another trusted name in winter tire performance. The Blizzak WS90 tire offers outstanding grip on ice and compacted snow, making it perfect for Mustang owners in regions prone to harsh winter conditions.
The Blizzak WS90 utilizes a patented Multicell compound that wicks away water from the tire surface, allowing for better grip on ice. By design, it also has more block edges which is the outer tire tread that provides higher lateral stiffness. This in turn enhances braking and cornering ability.
Key Features
- Multi-Cell compound for enhanced ice grip
- Aggressive tread pattern for snow traction
- Excellent braking performance in cold conditions
Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5
Another winner on our list is the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R5. Several members of our MSPECS team use this tire on their winter vehicles and it’s designed for extreme winter conditions, offering unparalleled snow and ice performance.
What’s cool about these tires is that they feature Arctic Grip Crystals, tiny bits of material embedded into the rubber compound that acts like built-in studs, biting into the ice for better grip and stability. The Hakkapeliitta R5 is rated as one of the quietest tires available on the market, so if road noise is a bother for you, this is definitely a tire to consider.
Key Features
- Excellent traction on both snow and ice
- Low rolling resistance for fuel efficiency
- Silent sidewall technology for a quieter ride
Pirelli Winter Ice Zero
The last tire on our list is a standout option for several reasons. First, you can add studs to this winter tire. Studs are basically metal “tacks” that are installed into your tires which significantly improve grip on icy roads. The placement and shape of the studs are optimized to deliver maximum traction during acceleration, braking, and cornering on icy surfaces, ensuring better control and safety in extreme conditions.
The Pirelli Winter Ice Zero also uses an aggressive, directional tread pattern with deep channels that move slush and water which reduces your risk of hydroplaning as the snow melts. Hopefully, you’re not driving at speeds during winter where hydroplaning even enters the equation.
Although it’s a studded tire designed to tackle icy roads, Pirelli has ensured that it delivers a comfortable and quiet ride compared to other studded tires. This makes it a good choice for Mustang owners who want to drive in winter without sacrificing comfort or performance.
You may have heard that studs create a lot of road noise, but this isn’t always the case.
Key Features
- Studdable for superior ice and snow traction
- Optimized tread pattern for wet and icy roads
