| This is the third in a series of articles containing | | | | preserve tread life.b) Snow and Ice Studless Tires |
| useful pointers for coping with frost, ice, and | | | | These tires will give better traction than |
| snow while you travel by vehicle. The correct | | | | performance winters, but the handling will not be |
| tires can make the difference between an | | | | quite as responsive.c) Winter Studded Tires |
| enjoyable trip and a hefty towing or hospital bill. | | | | These are good-quality winter-tread tires |
| 1. Summer tread tires are not meant for icy or | | | | embedded with 60-120 small metal studs per tire. |
| snowy conditions. | | | | The studs, composed of a very hard metal like |
| When the temperature dips, so does the traction | | | | tungsten carbide, protrude slightly above the |
| capability of summer tires. The material used in | | | | tread surface. This provides superior traction on |
| the manufacturing process loses elasticity and grip | | | | ice and snow. However, studs also dig into |
| as it gets colder. This means that summer tires | | | | pavement - and they are banned in some areas. |
| do not perform as well in freezing temperatures, | | | | If you plan a long trip, be sure to check the |
| even on dry roads. | | | | regulations regarding studded tires along your |
| 2. All-season tires work well in some areas. | | | | route. |
| If you only experience an occasional mild | | | | 5. A tire professional can help you to sift through |
| snowstorm, you might be happy with all-season | | | | the choices. |
| tires. However, they don't perform as well as | | | | Nothing can replace competent advice from a |
| good winter tires. Their composition and tread is a | | | | good tire technician. However before you pick a |
| compromise that provides decent handling and | | | | tire shop, consider the following:a) Does the tire |
| traction in a variety of conditions. Busy drivers | | | | business have a good reputation - or does a |
| who don't have the time to change their tires | | | | check with the local merchants' association or |
| twice a year will often swear by all-seasons. | | | | Better Business Bureau reveal a number of |
| 3. Real winters demand real winter tires. | | | | consumer complaints?b) Do you know of anyone |
| If you have ever been stuck in a snow bank, you | | | | who has used the shop and can provide first-hand |
| appreciate how much time and inconvenience it | | | | recommendations?c) Are the tire shop's |
| requires to get a tow. A car that slides into a | | | | certifications, licenses, and permits prominently |
| snow bank can just as easily careen into | | | | displayed where customers can see them?d) Are |
| oncoming traffic, over an embankment, or into a | | | | the service people properly certified? And are |
| pedestrian. For safety's sake, a change to winter | | | | they experienced?e) Will the shop honor your |
| tires is a good investment. | | | | vehicle warranty?f) Do the shop technicians have |
| 4. Choosing the correct tire requires some | | | | experience with vehicles of your model and year? |
| forethought. | | | | Inventors and manufacturers are continually trying |
| There are various types of winter tires. Analyze | | | | to design the 'perfect tire'. An online search for |
| your driving patterns (fast? slow? heavy on the | | | | 'tire patent' will bring up over 1 million pages in |
| brakes?), travel routes (uphill and downhill grades? | | | | Google. Who knows - maybe the perfect tire will |
| tight curves? gravel vs. pavement?), and other | | | | be on the shelves next year! In the meantime, do |
| factors that might affect tire performance and | | | | your research, and get the most suitable tire for |
| needs.a) Performance Winter Tires | | | | your driving style and weather conditions. |
| Performance winter tires are responsive on dry | | | | ©Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is |
| winter roads - but their traction is not as good on | | | | free to publish only if this copyright notice, the |
| ice and snow as some other types of tires. The | | | | byline, and the author's note below (with active |
| treads tend to be a bit soft; these tires should | | | | links) are included. |
| always be changed in the spring in order to | | | | |