Retractable Stud Winter Tires on the Way

We’ve heard rumblings about tires with retractable studs for winter driving, but it’s always been in a “one day” context. Now it seems that day is coming. Q Tires, a startup company — based in South Carolina, of all places — is launching the Q Celsius tire, which deploys studs from between the tire treads when the weather calls for it.

Using a wireless signal, a driver can deploy and retract the studs. The tires have two different air chambers, and drivers will have to monitor their pressure more than normal tires, but company officials say the studs can be used 30 times before a noticeable loss of tire pressure will occur.

One problem with launching the tires is that many states have laws against using studded winter tires in non-winter driving. However, the company has already gotten Maine to pass a law allowing technology like this to hit the streets.

Testing hasn’t been completed yet, but the company hopes to have the Q Celsius on the roads in northern states next winter. Projected costs would be about 30% more than normal winter tires.

Company tests new retractable-stud snow tires (Detroit News)