Feb 15, 2023
Winter driving

If you’re looking for more responsive handling and safe, worry-free driving under challenging conditions, you should consider how to increase your traction. New Mazda tires are a great way to improve your grip, and if you’re interested in upgrading to a new model, i-Activ AWD® will give you even more maneuverability. The answer is complex when you’re trying to figure out which matters more; let’s take a closer look.

New Tires

Traction issues can be caused by worn-out tires, especially if they have been left on in all seasons. Tires wear out at different rates based on several factors, including how much they’re used, what terrain they’re driven on, and how the vehicle was driven. If you haven’t been rotating your tires every 5,000 miles, the wear will be disproportionately distributed among the tires, which can cause further problems.

Remember, different tires are designed for different needs.

  • All-season tires can handle a bit of everything as long as they have good tread depth
  • Snow tires are excellent if you’re spending a lot of time in wintry areas
  • Performance tires help you maximize speed and grip
  • If you tow or haul frequently, it’s advisable to get tires designed for those needs

i-ACTIV AWD®

For those considering a new vehicle, the i-Activ AWD®, available in many new Mazda models like the 2023 Mazda CX-30, can offer you even more responsiveness. This all-wheel drive technology monitors road conditions and redistributes power between the front and rear differentials, allowing it to smoothly shift to any distribution from full all-wheel drive to front-wheel drive. i-Activ AWD® doesn’t just sense the road conditions, either—it reacts to your behavior by sensing and preparing for turns, brakes, and acceleration, so you’ll always have the maximum torque delivered to the correct wheels.

Which is More Important?

The i-Activ AWD® system is truly impressive, and you can’t go wrong in a vehicle equipped with it. However, even the best all-wheel drive system is only as good as the tires on which it rides, so visit us for genuine Mazda parts and service. We’ll ensure each drive is as exciting and safe as possible.