When snow starts falling many drivers are left wondering if their winter tires will last another season. Safe winter driving is dependent on installing and maintaining reliable snow tires on your vehicle.
These tires are different than all-season ones and are easily identifiable by a pictograph of a peaked mountain with a snowflake. Tires baring this symbol meet requirements ensuring they will have snow traction and have been specifically designed for use in severe winter conditions that include both snow and ice.
It is advisable to install four winter tires with the snow designation. This will give you the most control over your vehicle in slippery winter conditions. Mixing tires with different tread patterns, designations and size will reduce the control and stability of your vehicle and should be avoided.
All season tires are not specifically designed for winter conditions. They are designed to be adequate in all weather but do not offer the traction or control as those designed specifically for winter. The tread design of these tires is not as aggressive as winter ones and as a result, the treads will at times become packed with snow, causing you to lose traction in winter driving conditions.
The rubber used in all-season tires is also harder than the rubber in those designated for winter. As the temperature drops, these tires become harder and again reduce traction and control.
Even those marketed as mud and snow (M&S or M+S) do not have the designation of severe snow rating.
Selecting the proper tire for your driving conditions will be imperative for winter safety.
Ensure the snow tires installed on your vehicle are in good shape and not worn close to the tread wear indicators. Worn tires have reduced traction and will reduce their effectiveness on snow-covered roads.
Check the tire pressure regularly once you have your snow tires installed. Proper pressure not only improves safety when driving but it extends the life of the tire and improves fuel consumption.
Tire pressure decreases as the temperature drops. The colder it is outside the more regularly you will have to check.
During the off-season the life of your snow tires can be improved with proper storage.
Place your winter tires in a cool, dry location, stacked on top of each other to a maximum of four high. Make sure you mark which tires came off the front and rear prior to storage. This will allow easy tire rotation during the next winter season.
While many drivers dread winter driving conditions, ensuring you have good winter tires installed and driving for the conditions will greatly improve your safety.
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