Winter Maintenance Part 1: Winter Tires
- Selina Barker
- 1 hour ago
- 4 min read
Welcome to the first part of our special blog series about maintaining your vehicle during the cold winter months. This first installment is all about winter tires – why you need them, what they’re for, and how they help keep you safe.
“Do I really need winter tires?”
Yes! Winter tires are designed to grip the road better than summer or all-season tires. If it gets cold where you live, especially with rain or snow, winter tires will help keep you safe and on the road.
“Aren’t they just for snow and ice?”
No! All season tires start to lose grip around 32 degrees Fahrenheit (or 0 degrees Celsius), whereas winter tires maintain grip even past -30°F (34°C). This helps keep you safe in the cold even if roads are dry.
Not Just for Snow
Winter tires are often called “snow tires” because they have a deeper tread than summer or all-season tires and provide increased grip even through snow. However, winter tires are best in all winter conditions. When roads are wet, icy, or even just cold, your traction is reduced and your chance of slipping increases. To improve your grip, winter tires are made of a softer rubber than summer or all-season tires. This helps them stay flexible in the cold and allows more of their surface area to touch the road, giving you more control over your vehicle – no matter the weather.
“The improved gripping power at lower temperatures translates to shorter stopping distances and better vehicle cornering and control. That could be the difference between a safe stop and a fender bender or worse.”
Get a Grip
Your tires affect your ability to steer, accelerate, and stop. The better your tires can grip the road, the more effectively your vehicle will respond to your steering, braking, and acceleration. There are a few things that affect your tires’ ability to grip the road, including their tread depth, ware, and the weather conditions.
Wet, cold, and gusty wind conditions can make steering difficult in the winter. Braking or accelerating too harshly, driving too fast, changing lanes too quickly, and turning abruptly can cause your tires to skid and lead to you losing control of your vehicle. This is especially true when the grip of your tires on the road is compromised by cold or moisture. To reduce your risk, avoid risky maneuvers and reduce your speed. Sometimes, even the posted speed limit may be too fast.
When tire grip is reduced, it can take your vehicle longer to stop, so increase your following distance to give yourself more space to take evasive action in the event of an emergency. You should always drive at least four seconds behind the vehicle in front of you and increase this distance as the weather deteriorates.
When stopped, you can tell whether you’ve left enough space between yourself and the vehicle in front of you by checking if you can see their tires on the road in front of you. If you can’t, you may be unable to prevent a chain-reaction if someone rear-ends you as a result of slippery roads.
Finally, if you ever find yourself in a skid, calmly release the gas pedal and steer in the direction you want to go. Don’t brake, and don’t panic. If possible, turn your hazard light on and pull to the side of the road.
Winter is Coming
Don’t wait for adverse weather to hit to start preparing your vehicle. There are a few things you can do to prepare your vehicle now to get you through the worst of the winter.
The best way to avoid dangerous winter collisions is to avoid driving in inclement weather altogether. However, for most people, that is not realistic. If you must drive in the cold, rain, snow, fog, and dark, prepare yourself and your vehicle.
“Learn and practice winter driving techniques before you need them.”
Invest in high-quality winter tires. Select tires with a deep tread that are specifically rated for mud and snow. If your area gets heavy snowfall, consider equipping your tires with snow chains.
Throughout the winter, keep an eye on your tires. On a monthly basis, check the ware indicator bar to see if they need to be replaced. Your tire pressure should remain within the recommended PSI for your vehicle. When the air outside gets cold, the air inside your tires cools and contracts, which may result in your tires deflating slightly. Check your tire pressure and ensure they’re topped up. It’s also a good idea to keep a spare tire in your vehicle in case of emergency.
Stay safe this winter by following these guidelines and always remaining alert and defensive while driving. You can’t always predict the weather, but you can prepare your vehicle for it.
Keep an eye out for the next part of our winter maintenance blog series!
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