Harsh winter weather brings with it a host of road hazards. Snow and ice can make it difficult for your tires to get traction, and extreme cold can impact your tires' air pressure. Before winter strikes, it's important to make sure you have the right tires on your car. Here are a few things to keep in mind to prepare your car for winter weather.
Tires For Mild To Moderate Winter Weather
Do you live in an area with mild winters and occasional snow or do you live in an area that sees significant snowfall? If your average winter is temperate, you may want to stick with all-season tires. They are designed to provide traction in all weather conditions, and they have fewer sipes, which are the rows and ridges in the treads of your tires. These sipes produce heat when they make contact with the road. If you live in an area that can see warmer temperatures in the winter and you typically see light snowfall, all-season tires will perform better and stay in better condition.
Tires For Cold, Snowy And Icy Weather
If you live in an area that sees significant snowfall and icy conditions, snow tires may be the best option for you. Whether you have an all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, snow tires deliver the traction that you need to maintain control of your vehicle. The traction comes from the unique design of the treads which contains more sipes that can hug the road. Snow tires also enable your car to brake better in the snow, which is critical for accident avoidance.
How Can You Tell What Type Tires You Have?
New cars tend to come with all-season tires, but you may be able to purchase snow tires from the dealer as part of a package upgrade for your vehicle. If you want to know what type of tires are on your car, you can read the series of numbers and letters on your sidewall to identify your tire type. The first letter in the series will tell you if it is a passenger tire (P), a temporary spare tire (T), or a light truck tire (LT). Other information you can find on the tire sidewall includes the treadwear and traction. If you see M+S, this means you have a mud and snow tire. You can also identify a snow tire by looking for the symbol of snowflake inside of a mountain above the sidewall. Use this information to make sure that any tires you purchase are ideal for your winter driving needs before you buy.
Choosing the right tire for your winter weather will help you maintain better control of your vehicle and feel more comfortable driving in extreme conditions. If you aren't sure which tires to choose, talk to your mechanic to help you decide the right tires for your car and your climate. One company that may be able to meet your needs in this area is Unique Edge Customizing.
Share6 November 2015
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