Winter driving is different – and can be
much more hazardous – than driving at any other time of the
year. On any given day, you may face a range of winter
conditions, including slush, snow, ice, wind, whiteouts, etc.
If you don’t have the appropriate tires, you’ll be unprepared
for these conditions.
It’s best to replace all-season tires (or summer tires) with winter tires in late fall after the first hard frost, before any anticipated snow and ice. One of the differences between winter tires and all-season tires is the rubber compounds in winter tires are softer, and remain flexible even in colder temperatures up to -40˚F. All-season tires, on the other hand, harden in colder temperatures, therefore decreasing the tires ability to grip the road, and making the vehicle harder to control.
During the colder months, temperature variations affect tire pressure. As a general rule, every 10 degree temperature drop reduces the pressure in your tires by 1 psi. So if your tires are at the correct pressure when it’s 70 degrees, they will be underinflated when its 30 degrees. This will be made even worse if your tires are under inflated to start with. For this reason, it’s advised to check tire pressure frequently throughout the winter. If you’re unsure of the process, stop by one of the convenient Dunn Tire locations – it only takes a few minutes.
A study conducted by the Quebec Ministry of Transport showed that a proper winter tire can improve braking by up to 25 percent over an all-season radial and can improve collision avoidance by about 38 percent. For winter driving safety, it’s suggested to:
1) Place winter tires on all four wheels
2) Install winter tires on steel or winter-use rims. This allows for quick installation at a moment’s notice and can reduce unnecessary tread wear
3) Drive appropriately in weather conditions and give yourself the proper break distance
When you begin considering tires, make sure you pay attention to the tire specifications. An article in Modern Tire Dealer contained the following caveat about tire terminology:
“It is a bit of a misnomer to say that the terms ‘snow’ and ‘winter’ are interchangeable when it comes to tires. The former really has evolved into the latter. In general, true snow tires used to be fitted on vehicles for use in heavy snowfall. They were designed for a condition. What we call winter tires today work well under snowy conditions; however, they are designed for temperature, so they also perform well on dry, wet and icy road surfaces during the winter season. They also, in some cases, provide a quiet, comfortable ride as well!”
According to the
Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), shipments of winter tires
have increased annually since 2003, from 6.3 million in 2003 to 9.5
million in 2009. This is reflective of the fact that more and more
drivers are switching to winter tires for the winter season.
Motorists may wonder how to determine exactly what kind of tires
they have. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) recognized this as a source of confusion for many drivers
and offered an explanation in a
brochure about tire safety. The NHTSA
brochure advised the public that “M+S” or “M/S” “indicates that the
tire has some mud and snow capability.” This can be
especially important for residents of certain areas that receive
extremely large amounts of snow because they may be required by
local law to use “true snow tires, those with very deeply cut
tread.” As November approaches quickly, it’s time to prepare your
vehicle for winter driving. If you have any questions about
winter tires or driving safety, please feel free to call or stop by
one of the convenient Dunn Tire
locations.