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