Jack Frost has already made an early visit in parts of the country, surprising plenty of motorists –and some football fans– not yet prepared for the challenges of inclement weather, according to Tire Rack, which has issued advice aimed at helping drivers cope with winter conditions.
“Colder weather doesn’t just translate into swapping flip-flops for boots; the inevitable sleet and snow also require tougher treads for your vehicle. With the right gear, winter driving doesn’t have to be a ‘white knuckle’ experience,” says Tire Rack Vice President Matt Edmonds.
“Switching to winter-grade tires isn’t just smart in theory; it can save you real money and even your life.”
Collision rates spike during the October-through-February time frame, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2007, 738,000 crashes occurred in rain, sleet or snow. Most resulted in costly property damage, and on average one in three wrecks involved an injury or fatality.
“Those numbers are needlessly high,” says Edmonds. “A little caution, a little research and, most importantly, the right ‘footwear’ can mean the difference between wintertime gripping and slipping.”
For a stress-free winter behind the wheel, the company offers these suggestions:
Choose the Right Footwear. Function, not fashion, should dictate your choice. Like snow boots, purpose-designed winter tires offer maximum traction and control in cold, snow and ice.
Winter tires offer up to 21 percent more traction than all season tires. Only winter tires are designed to excel and provide maximum traction in the colder temperatures, slush, snow and ice that many parts of the country experience for three or more months a year. Winter tires start with deeper tread depths to obtain maximum traction.
All season tires are for drivers of cars and minivans, as well as some small SUVs and pickup trucks, who want dependable tires that provide all season versatility, including traction in light snow, but who rarely face true winter conditions.
For anyone lucky enough to live in parts of the country where winter conditions mean nothing more than cooler temperatures and rain, summer tires are the best option.
Let Your Tires Lunch on the Elements. If rain and wet roads are a concern, you should consider replacing your tires when they reach about 4/32 of an inch of remaining tread depth. Use a quarter to measure tread depth, not a penny.
Insufficient tread depth can double your stopping distance. Since water can’t be compressed, you need enough tread depth to allow it to escape through the tire’s tread grooves. If the water can’t escape fast enough, your vehicle’s tires will be forced to hydroplane (actually float) on top of the water, loosing contact with the road and thus traction.
If snow covered roads are in your future, consider replacing your tires when they reach about 6/32 of an inch of remaining tread depth to maintain good mobility. You need more tread depth in snow because your tires need to compress the snow in their grooves and release it as they roll.
If there isn’t enough tread depth, the “bites” of snow your tires can take on each revolution will be so small that your traction will be reduced.
It’s All About the Pressure. Tires don’t carry the weight of your vehicle, the air inside them does. For every 10-degree drop in temperature, tires lose 1 psi of air pressure. A tire filled to 32 psi at 70 degrees will have only 28 psi at 30 degrees.
Underinflated tires offer less traction, can reduce fuel mileage, can wear out prematurely, and most importantly, suffer unnoticeable and irreparable damage that compromises their performance.
Check tire pressures monthly with a quality air pressure gauge. Fill them to vehicle manufacturer specifications.
Stay in Traction. Traction loss starts at about 40 degrees, even without rain or snow on the ground. Lower temperatures reduce a tire’s flexibility and grip. At 32-degrees, the summer tires found on many performance vehicles are so stiff they offer no traction at all.
Stay Off Their Tail. Adding distance behind the vehicle ahead gives you more time to react and a better stopping distance. In rain and snow, follow two seconds behind at 30 mph; four seconds at 60 mph.
Be a Smooth Operator. Accelerate, brake and steer as if you had a full cup of hot coffee on the dashboard. Just as abrupt actions would spill the coffee, so too could they cause a loss of control. It’s also one of the best ways to improve fuel mileage.
Hedge Your Bets: Winter Tires are Cheap Insurance. The best way to improve winter traction and increase safety is with a set of dedicated winter tires. Starting as low as $300 for a set of four, winter tires can last three or more winter seasons, depending on your driving habits. That’s significantly less cost than most insurance deductibles and potential rate increases should you have a winter driving-related collision. Resting your regular tires during the winter season also increases their lifespan, saving you even more money in the long run.
For more information, visit www.tirerack.com.
