winter tires

The Skinny on Summer Tires

June 28, 2019 by admin 5 Comments

Summer tires are a thing, but they’re probably not what you think they are: one-season tires. In fact, summer tires are best known as performance tires, which supply excellent dry and wet road traction and precise handling.

What’s in a Name?

So, why are they called “summer tires?” Likely for a few reasons, including:

1. They’re best used in warm weather.

A Porsche Cayman S outfitted with performance tires.

Summer tires work best in warm weather, due to the materials used in the tire (more about that later). When temperatures drop, tire grip changes and not for the better.

In particular, at temperatures below 44 degrees (or thereabouts), the tires are not safe for use. Further, when driven while temperatures are below freezing can do permanent damage to these tires, making them unsafe for use.

2. More than simply the opposite of winter.

Winter tires are also known as summer tires and like the latter, are ideal during certain weather conditions, specifically cold weather. Thus, there are three types of tires typically available — summer, winter, and all-season (or three-season).

When not using summer tires, switch to all-season radials. Or, if winter conditions are strong in your area, a set of four winter tires is the best choice.

The Ford Focus RS offers amazing handling thanks to all-wheel drive and performance tires.

Summer Tires for Performance Cars

Summer tires are ideal for performance vehicles, including the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, and the Porsche 911.

You may also find them on other vehicles, but typically they’re either optional or standard equipment on cars you’ll most likely take to the track. Such tires offer improved responsiveness as well as better cornering and braking capabilities.

Tread Pattern and Rubber Compounds

Among the differences between standard radial and performance tires are the specialized tread patterns and softer rubber compounds utilized. Such tires have reduced grooving, thereby supplying more rubber to meet the road.

Summer tires also provide superior performance in wet driving conditions as the special tread patterns help remove water and thwart hydroplaning.

The flexible tread compounds are a plus in warm weather, but they’re also prone to crack in cold weather. These cracks cannot be repaired — the tires must be replaced. Also of note, your tire warranty typically won’t cover the damage as they fall under the “improper use” exception. Therefore, it is important to swap out summer tires and store them out of season.

This Lexus LC 500 offers beautiful styling and wonderful handling.

Shopping for Performance Tires

If you’re in the market for summer tires, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Use the same tire size and type on all four tires, unless the car manufacturer suggests otherwise. You’ll want stable handling and control, which is best achieved when all four tires are the same. Maintain and rotate the tires according to schedule.

2. Find the right tire. Not all performance tires are right for your vehicle. Follow the car manufacturer’s guidelines to shop for tires by the size recommended, speed rating, load capacity, and any other parameters established.

Summer tires are made by a variety of manufacturers, including Bridgestone, Michelin, Hankook, Goodyear, Pirelli, and others. If they’re not the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specific to your vehicle, you can find them at tire retailers, new car dealers, and through select online outlets.

See Also — Replacement Tires: Where to Buy Them

7 Winter Driving Safety Tips

December 1, 2017 by admin 2 Comments

Slippery roads can present a driving hazard, a situation that may be magnified when snow and ice are also present. Take to the road unprepared and you might hit a ski and slam into another car, a utility pole or even run over a pedestrian. Winter tires or chains and four-wheel drive won’t guarantee that you will avoid an accident, but each can make a difference in cold weather driving.

Seasonal hazards make winter driving especially risky.

1. Fasten Your Seat Belt

Make a point to fasten your seat belt every time you get behind the wheel of a car. Require vehicle occupants to do the same. You can quickly lose control of a car if you are not buckled up and slip out of your seat. An unbuckled passenger can cause you to lose control just the same.

2. Use Winter Tires

Most cars are equipped with all-season tires, but when it comes to winter driving the grip may not be sufficient. Ideally, you’ll replace all four tires with winter (snow) tires to ensure even performance and a better grip all around.

3. Turn Off the Cruise Control

Cruise control saves gasoline, but should only be used on dry surfaces. When used where ice and snow are present, it can cause you to lose control of your car.

4. Replace Your Windshield Wipers

You’ll be using your windshield wipers frequently during the winter even on clear days. Slush, mud and spray back from other vehicles will pepper your windshield, so you need good working wipers to handle the job. You should also fill the washer reservoir with anti-icing fluid.

5. Check All Exterior Lights

You may be able to see everyone, but can they see you? Head lamps, fog lights, LED lights, turn signal lights and tail lamps should be in good working order. They should also be free of ice and snow build up. Wipe down lenses with a dry rag before taking to the road. Keep a rag and a solution of anti-freeze window cleaner handy as you travel.

6. Get a Handle on Your Steering

Slippery road conditions may cause your front tires to lose grip and you may be tempted to compensate by continuing to turn the wheel in the direction of the skid. Instead, gently press down on the brake while holding the steering wheel steady. Once you regain control of the car, redirect the steering wheel to the direction that you want to go.

7. Black Ice is Transparent and Extremely Dangerous Too

Unseen to most drivers is ice that is transparent, what lies over the road surfaces, hence the name “black ice.” Black ice can appear without warning and may show up long after the snow has melted, residual moisture that quickly freezes when surface temperatures drop. Winter tires and chains can help slow your car, but you may not be able to stop it without hitting a curb or a stationary object. Always allow plenty of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. Handle turns and twisty roads with extreme care.

Winter Driving: Avoid Black Ice

With adequate preparation you can drive your car all winter long. Allow plenty of distance between vehicles and be mindful that black ice is an unseen hazard that can linger long after the snow has melted.

Tire Rack Tire Distributors

But first, some context about the event. When approached by a PR representative about the experience, I realized I was very familiar with the Michelin brand, but not so much with Tire Rack. A few years back when replacing tires for both vehicles, I went with two complete sets of Michelin radials, purchased at BJs, not Tire Rack. That I could have had tires shipped directly to my home never crossed my mind. Even if it had, I’m sure I would have thought that such shipments were limited to specialty tires and wheels, but I quickly learned otherwise while in Indiana.

Tire Rack is the largest distributor of tires in the US and is also headquartered in South Bend. On the other hand, French company Michelin’s North America headquarters is located in Greenville, South Carolina, where they also manufacture some of their tires. Michelin is an important client for Tire Rack, but they also stock tires from more than two dozen other brands, including Goodyear, Bridgestone, Hankook, Continental, and Cooper, to name a few. BF Goodrich, owned by Michelin, is another Tire Rack choice.

Notre Dame Stadium and a Curling Guest

The evening before the main event, our hosts treated us to a tour of one of the most important shrines on Notre Dame’s campus — that hallowed place wasn’t the Basilica of the Sacred Heart (a tour of the basilica was held separately the next day). Instead, our hosts pushed all the right buttons and used their pull to fling open the gates of Notre Dame Stadium just for our group.

Winter Driving Experience -- Touchdown Jesus — One of the most famous of all murals,
visible from Notre Dame Stadium.

What a pleasant surprise this was for everyone present, myself included — I grew up hearing tale after tale about the Fighting Irish from my Roman Catholic family and community. Many years later and I found myself at Notre Dame, standing on the same field where such legends as Knute Rockne, Joe Theismann, Raghib Ismail and Joe Montana had coached or played.

Immediately after our time on the field, we were shepherded to the stadium’s press boxes where dinner was served. What a terrific view of the stadium, the surrounding area and of a well-known mural popularly known as “Touchdown Jesus.”

While we were still consuming our appetizers, Michelin and Tire Rack introduced a celebrity of sorts — none other than Tom Howell, a 22-year-old man from New Jersey vying to represent the US men’s curling team at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, next February.

The affable Howell shared everything about the sport, including its origin, how the game worked and explained what the screaming teammate phenomenon was about. It turns out the hollering on ice has everything to do with giving players instructions as the 42-pound stone slides across the surface with sweepers working feverishly to ensure the rock comes to rest in its proper place.

Curling may be the most misunderstood of all Olympic sports — the next day Howell provided us with an on-the-ice demonstration, removing much of that frozen mystery.

Winter Driving Experience: Kia Sportage — These Kia Sportage utility vehicles were also tested at the Compton Family Ice Arena.

Winter Tires or Radials?

So, do you really need winter tires where you live? That was the general question as well as the overall thrust of what was officially known as the Michelin/Tire Rack Winter Driving Experience program.

For starters, if you live in Florida, Southern California or in any place in the US that never sees snow or experiences winter conditions, then that answer is clearly no. At the same time, if you live in an area that’s regularly assaulted by winter’s fury, then the answer is yes.

But there is a huge middle ground where winter tires can still prove beneficial and that’s in locations where average temperatures fall below 44 degrees Fahrenheit. We learned that winter tires are much more than snow tires as they provide improved grip on icy roads. Ice may form at 32 degrees, but it can hang around during warmer temperatures. Hit a patch of ice on radials and you may be in trouble.

Winter Driving Experience: Michelin Man — A touch of irony: Tom Howell gives Michelin Man pointers on how to play on ice.

Contrast that with winter tires placed at all four corners and you stand a far greater chance of avoiding a dangerous spin. In all road conditions, winter tires provide shorter braking distance on a variety of winter driving surfaces, ice included.

You can thank the science of improved tread pattern design and technologies for the superior grip as well as tread compounds engineered explicitly to handle snow and ice. And unlike snow tires of years past, winter tires are fine to drive on dry surfaces and at highway speeds — just install them on all four wheels to ensure even handling and ride comfort.

On the Ice

So, driving on ice is nothing new for me, although now that I’m living in central North Carolina, ice is a relatively uncommon event. Still, when it does arrive, I know to stay home — local roads are treated, but not as well as in my native New Jersey, which is firmly in the “get winter tires” belt.

Winter Driving Experience: Tire and Wheel — Wheel and tire combinations wrapped and ready for shipment.

Driving on an ice rink was something new for me and I hadn’t been on a rink of any sort since I was young. Our multiple tests involved driving SUVs on one rink followed by sedans on the other rink. One each of the two pairs of vehicles came with OEM tires (Kumho) — specifically radials — with the other two shod with Michelin winter tires.

Through our various driving scenarios, we were able to judge for ourselves just how well (or poorly) each tire type handled in a variety of driving situations, including acceleration, braking, and cornering. Most impressive were the shorter stopping distances of the winter tires, which will prove especially helpful when driving in heavy traffic on slick wintry roads.

Notably, the front-wheel-drive Cadenza equipped with radials got off to a faster start than the winter tires, then followed by significant fishtailing. Keep in mind that you are not purchasing winter tires for performance, but for driving safety. One further note: Michelin recommends rotating your tires when you swap out your radials in the fall and again in the spring when you store your set of winter tires.

Parting Thoughts

I would be remiss if I failed to mention that our South Bend adventure concluded with a trip to the Tire Rack headquarters and warehouse where we witnessed firsthand how tires are distributed. Not to mention men were on forklifts nearly everywhere — moving pallets, pulling orders and sifting through stock. Specialty wheels, including some already set within tires, are also part of that stock.

The grand finale, though was the behind-the-scenes tour and driving experience of Tire Rack’s own test track. A pair of handsome BMW 435i Gran Coupes were on hand with instructors behind each wheel. After a brief lap orientation, we enjoyed our own wheel time. Did I say the tracks were wet from soaker spray? They were, which only added to the experience. Switchbacks, slaloms and tight corners beckoned, inviting us to push each Bimmer to the limits, supplying a fitting conclusion to this Michelin/Tire Rack event.

Winter Driving Experience: Tire Rack Track — Track time on the very wet Tire Rack track.

Disclaimer: The cost of this trip was funded by Tire Rack and Michelin, who provided air transportation, food, lodging and swag.

Higher Education: Winter Driving School

February 13, 2017 by admin 6 Comments

Getting schooled at the Bridgestone Winter Driving School.

Ah, winter — the least favorite season for many of us as cold temperatures, snow, and ice often prevail, especially throughout snow country. I grew up in New Jersey and now live in the “sunny South,” but we have our share of wintry storms, usually delivering more ice, than snow. That makes for treacherous driving conditions, something I’ve learned to avoid by waiting for the roads to clear before heading out.

I’ve written extensively about tires, including the importance of checking air pressure regularly (at least monthly), rotating tires, and replacing them once tread levels fall to 2/32 of an inch. Tires are the only thing that separates thousands of pounds of vehicular mass from the road — if they’re not in optimum condition, the risk of a flat or a blowout increase, what may lead to a serious accident.

Winter tires are a “must” in certain areas of the country, but are often avoided and usually for two reasons:

1) Winter tires are an added cost and must be swapped out with your regular tires before the season arrives and changed again in the spring. Storing tires can prove challenging, especially for anyone who rents their home. Fortunately, some tire dealers will store your extra set of tires if you do not have space.

2) All-season tires are enough, right? Drivers may be under the impression that all-season tires are sufficient. After all, all-season means four seasons, but that’s not entirely accurate. Although all-season tires can be driven throughout the year, they do not provide the extra amount of grip needed for snow-covered roads.

So, let’s cut to the chase here: winter tires are necessary if snow conditions are a regular part of your driving experience wherever you live. In my area of central North Carolina, they’re not necessary. But in mountainous regions such as Boone or Asheville, drivers should use them and not just on the axle that drives the car — but on all four corners.

The Bridgestone Corporation is the largest tire company in the world; in addition to its eponymous tire brand, the company also owns Firestone. Visit any Firestone retail dealer and you’ll find both brands on display. The company claims to spend at least $1 billion annually on research and development. Moreover, Bridgestone has a strong presence in sports sponsorships, including the Olympics (the company is one of 13 global sponsors of the games).

The company also manages the Bridgestone Winter Driving School in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, a program I was invited to attend. Along with seven other media professionals, we participated in an intensive one-day hands-on class. A higher level and more intensive two-day option is also available and routinely enjoyed by enthusiasts.

Fittingly, it was on Groundhog Day when we took our class when a certain fat Phil in Pennsylvania indicated we still had six weeks of winter remaining. Meanwhile, at an elevation nearing 7,000 feet in northern Colorado, the season is just getting started — several feet of the white stuff were on the ground and a brewing mid-day storm was to add another five inches.

Before heading to the track, a Bridgestone instructor provides an hour of classroom instruction, outlining what’s ahead for the day. Winter tire basics were covered, including pointing out the superior stopping power of these specially designed tires.

Indeed, if you were to place similar cars side by side and outfitted one with all-season tires and the other with a set of winter tires, the latter provides a 33-percent shorter stopping distance. That’s not just a helpful advantage, but it supplies the assurance you need when roads are snow packed.

Winter tires are important for several other reasons, including having the capability to cover the vehicle’s weight and load, to transmit acceleration and cornering forces, and to cushion road irregularities. Potholes, anyone?

Bridgestone offers two lines of its branded Blizzak winter tires — WS80 and DM-V2. The studless Blizzak line rolled out in the late 1980s, building on a pair of earlier ice and multi-cell tire technologies. The changes through the years have yielded modifications to channel installation, including chain and mega bubbled compounds. In more recent years we’ve seen the introduction of so-called hydrophillically augmented tires for improved grip.

After a thorough safety briefing, media folk was sent to the BWDS driving campus for a vehicle orientation. Here, Toyota partnered with Bridgestone, supplying an assortment of models, including the midsize Camry sedan, 4Runner SUV, and the compact RAV4 crossover. A Tacoma pickup truck and a small fleet of 86s was also present. Alas, the latter group of vehicles was not made available to us.

The track introduction was hands-on — a BWDS instructor took us out in pairs, drove the track, and explained what the color-coordinated cones along the route meant, as well as the numbered “lollipops” representing each turn in the course. Once the introduction was over, each student took turns navigating the course.

If you think for a moment your winter driving skills are impeccable, BWDS will challenge you in ways you might never have imagined. Yours truly prides himself in not just being a safe driver, but as one who knows how to handle a variety of emergency situations.

I got schooled quickly as one of the instructors, John — a race car driver from Colombia — pointed out a few of my shortcomings.

For one, I tend to take both hands off the wheels at various times while driving, a habit I never noticed before. Also, I usually grip the steering wheel at a 10 and 2 position — where the grips are located — instead of the recommended 9 and 3. That is, when I have both hands on the steering wheel — yes, I drive with one hand from time to time or may rest one hand on the bottom of the wheel.

What you may get away with in normal conditions can prove dangerous when roads are slippery and you must react fast as I was reminded.

The drive around the course is about a mile long, marked by 11 sharp turns and a fair share of ascending and descending legs. Immediately, we learned that turn No. 4 was the most treacherous one of all, offering a 180-degree turn, exacerbated by uneven road. In dry conditions, the road would be hazardous enough. In wet conditions — in this case, packed snow and ice — the risk level only worsens. Then again, that’s the reason for driving on winter tires — you need every bit of grip possible to navigate — even if your speed is something like 3 mph.

If you’re considering winter tires, you’ll want to place them on both axles, not just on the one that turns the wheels. Back in the day when I learned how to drive, we placed “snow tires” on the rear axle only — unless you were one of the very few people who owned a front-wheel drive model, then the tires were placed up front.

No one thought about a set of four, but the full set makes sense, especially since we drive many more miles these days than we did a few decades back. A set of the same tires on your car ensures even handling — it can be a bear to steer a car that has winter tires on one axle and radial tires on the other axle — especially at highway speeds.

Now back to the driving school — BWDS isn’t meant to humiliate anyone. Instead, it serves as a reminder of how to handle wintry conditions. Indeed, even though I know in my mind to turn into a skid, there was one incident when I didn’t. That led to our 4Runner slamming into an embankment, but fortunately without damaging the SUV. How embarrassing it was for this driver who hasn’t done much winter driving over the past 12 years.

To give students a comparison between winter tires and all-season tires, we finished our day with Toyota vehicles outfitted with the latter. Above freezing temperatures made it more difficult to distinguish between the two tire types, but I did notice the reduced grip with the all-seasons. Had the ambient temperatures remained below freezing, the differences would certainly have been magnified.

Speaking of all-season tires, a Bridgestone executive agreed with my assessment that all-seasons are more like three-season tires — yes, you can drive on them in the winter, but if wintry conditions prevail, the best grip is offered with the winter tires.

As for summer tires, they’re truly performance tires and are usually outfitted on cars destined for the track. Regardless, you don’t want to drive on summer tires below 40 degrees Fahrenheit — the tread compound used works best in warm and hot weather. In cold weather you’ll hear the unmistakable clomp, clomp, clomp of the tires as you drive, with a real risk of compound cracking, effectively destroying the tire.

Addendum: Bonnie Blair Holds Court

One of the surprises served up by Bridgestone at a welcome reception held the night we arrived was a visit by Olympic speed skater medalist, Bonnie Blair. It took me a few moments to make the connection, but when I did I realized that this petite lady medaled at three Olympics from 1988 to 1994 — garnering five gold and one bronze medals.

Blair may have been on hand serving in her capacity as brand ambassador for Bridgestone, but she didn’t talk about the tire company. Instead, she shared details about her experience on the ice, how the sport has changed — blades now partially separate from the boots when taking turns — and offered details about her own family, including her teenagers.

Blair spoke effusively about the Olympics, sharing the importance of representing one’s country and racing against the world’s finest athletes. In that regard, she certainly embodies what Bridgestone is all about — it is the world’s largest tire manufacturer with a truly global outlook.

Disclaimer: Bridgestone hosted yours truly and a pool of automotive and lifestyle talent for two nights in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The tire manufacturer covered airfare, our hotel stay, and meals. Swag items included a hat, scarf, and a video.

Bridgestone Winter Driving School

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

Ford Announces Winter Tire Package for Upcoming Focus RS

February 18, 2016 by admin 2 Comments

The top-of-the-range Ford Focus RS offers a unique winter prep package.

The Ford Focus RS cannot arrive in North America soon enough for enthusiasts. As the work of Ford Performance, this hot hatchback on steroids promises to be the fastest machine this side of a Mustang GT. Its all-wheel drive goodness should give a certain Volkswagen Golf model a run for the money, no matter the season.

Yet, the Ford Motor Company has taken no chances that Focus RS owners will become stranded due to snow or lose out to a competitor. Even before this model arrives stateside, Ford has prepared a winter tire and wheel option as a factory accessory. In doing so, the package meets Ford Performance’s exacting standards. It is also the first-ever factory-purpose winter tire package offered by an original equipment manufacturer in North America.

Thrills and Chills on White Powder

Ford says that the Focus RS Winter Wheel & Tire Package offers a set of wheels and tires unique to the RS. The package was designed to ensure Focus RS owners are not just able to travel around in the snow, but do so while maintaining their driving enjoyment.

“We started this project knowing what our RS customers really want out of their cars,” says Adam Wirth, chassis supervisor, Ford Performance. “This tire package allows RS owners to continue spirited driving even in the snow.”

Nevertheless, the Ford Performance team had their work cut out for them as they understood that Focus RS customers would demand nothing less than equipment optimized for winter. Furthermore, the performance team was also tasked with ensuring that the tires and wheels met certification requirements — no easy task considering that winter-only tires had never previously been authored. Thus, the Ford Performance team had to create a new set of standards befitting the absolute worst winter circumstances.

Field Testing in Michigan and Sweden

Ford’s engineers and technicians went to work by testing the new standards at a pair of locations in northern Michigan and Sweden, with the plan to guarantee the qualify and performance levels expected. A comprehensive array of tires and wheel combinations were examined. Specifically, ride, handling, and performance attributes in an assortment of wintry conditions were carefully observed and recorded before a winning arrangement was selected.

That arrangement is composed of 225/40R18 Michelin Pilot Alpin PA4 tires mounted to an all-new 18×7.5-inch wheel, paralleling the characteristics of the base Focus RS option, yet swathed in sparkle silver to conceal salt spray. Ford says the set includes tire pressure monitoring sensors along with fully mounted and balanced center caps and prepared for dealer installation.

Notably, the wheel and tire are narrower, what Ford says will provide improved snow traction, while the overall diameter is smaller, so owners can outfit chains if required.

Explained Wirth, “We fully expect our more extreme-weather customers to take advantage of the ability to use snow chains. Settings are completely driver-preference. Customers are able to utilize all four drive modes to suit their driving style in winter conditions.”

Standard in Canada, Available in the US

Available only in North America as a $1,995 option, the Focus RS Winter Wheel & Tire Package comes standard on every Focus RS delivered in Canada. The Focus RS arrives at dealerships in North America beginning this spring.

Production of the all-new Focus RS is already underway. Built in Germany, the new model should help Ford maintain its success in a narrow, but highly competitive hatchback segment. US sales of the Focus ST increased by 9 percent last year and by 4 percent for the Fiesta ST.

Besides the Focus RS, Ford Performance is bringing two other models to the market this year: the Ford F-150 Raptor this fall and the Ford GT super car later in the year. By 2020, Ford Performance will have 12 performance vehicles available globally.

Ford Focus RS photos copyright the Ford Motor Company.

Its Not Too Late For Winter Tires

December 2, 2015 by admin 2 Comments

Winter has arrived (despite what the calendar says) and the holiday season is in full swing. From Thanksgiving through Christmas and on to New Year’s Day, many families will be traveling at distances not seen since the summer.

If your travels include driving, you need to ensure that your car is up to the task. And if you live where winter conditions are present, then a set of winter tires are an important consideration. Its not too late for winter tires — here’s what you need to know about them.

All-Season or Winter Tires

Nearly all new cars sold today are outfitted with all-season tires. The name implies that these tires are sufficient for spring, summer, fall and winter driving, and they are. But if you live in an area where icy conditions are present, all-season tires do not provide the level of traction needed. Even with traction control systems present in today’s cars, you may need winter tires.

Winter tires — also known as snow tires — have a different tread pattern and are composed of a softer rubber compound than all-season tires. This means winter tires are more supple in frigid weather and take hold of the road better than all-season tires. This evidence becomes especially important when frozen precipitation such as snow and ice pellets are on the road.

Hyundai Genesis — All-season tires as pictured are not sufficient when ice is present.

Studded or Studless

There are two types of winter tires made — studded and studless.

Studded tires come with metal studs embedded within the tread. The studs are composed of small, but durable pieces of metal, ideal for digging into ice. The drawback with such tires is that they can damage the road, especially when they’ve been cleared of ice and snow. That’s why in some states studded tires are legal only for select times of the year. For instance, Oregon allows studded tires from November 1 through March 31.

As the name implies, studless tires do away with the road harming studs found in studded tires. Instead, such tires are composed of special compounds and are flexible, and are better able to handle a variety of road conditions. Typically, such tires have deep tread depths, a design that disperses snow and slush under the tire. The tread blocks in such tires are designed to pack in the snow to provide better traction. Such tires are also imbued with thousands of sipes or tiny slits in the tread pattern that help with vehicle acceleration, deceleration, and stopping.

Two or Four Winter Tires

In times past, especially when most cars were rear-wheel drive, owners would mount their winter tires to the rear wheels and leave the front tires alone. The problem here is that traction and handling capabilities are different from axle to axle, making such a vehicle more difficult to control.

If you have a front-wheel-drive car, placing winter tires on the front axle will lead to similar control issues. In this case, the rear wheels will slip, whereas the front wheels would slip in the example of the rear-wheel-drive car.

The best approach here is to always operate “like” tires on all four corners of your vehicle. The tires should be the same size and make, have identical tread, and be worn equally. So, if you opt for winter tires, then go with four or have none at all.

Safe Travels

Now that you know the difference between tires and the placement of same, you can typically find deals when buying four tires instead of two. Some car owners prefer to have a separate set of rims for each tire set, storing their offseason tires in a cool, dry and sunless area, such as in a garage or a shed.

Stack tires flat so that the bottom tire maintains its shape. Lower the air pressure of each tire to 10 psi and if you have storage bags made specifically for tires, then use them.

See Also — Higher Education: Winter Driving School

How to Get Your Car Ready for Winter

November 27, 2015 by admin 1 Comment

The first very cold weather of the season has arrived and that means winter will soon settle in. Seasonal extremes can take its toll on your car, but if you’re prepared you can avoid the worst that it has to offer. To that end, we’ll take a look at some steps you can take to help get your car ready for winter.

winter plow — Winter is coming. Are you ready?

1. Review your owner’s manual. The first thing you should do is pull out the owner’s manual from your glove box and reacquaint yourself with it. Go to the section for the maintenance schedule and choose the one that mirrors your driving habits. While most people follow the standard level of care, if you drive in the city, take to dusty roads or put a lot of miles on your car each year, then choose the “severe service” schedule. In any case, get those open items done before winter makes its home.

2. Change your oil and oil filter. Chances are your engine oil is due for a change. Today’s cars can usually go upwards of 7,500 miles between changes, but consult the owner’s manual for change interval information. When changing your oil for the winter season, go with 5W30 oil as it is ideal for winter use.

3. Replace your wiper blades and check your washer fluid. Your wiper blades may last as long as a year, but if your summer was particularly hot, they can become brittle and crack. Always change the blades if you notice streaking. Doing this job before winter settles in and again before next summer is a sensible approach. While you are at it, replenish the washer fluid. Choose a solution that has a greater concentration of alcohol to ensure that the line does not freeze during the winter.

4. Check your heating system. Just because the air conditioning was working so well during the summer doesn’t mean that the heating system will perform faithfully in the winter. Take your car on the road, turn the heat on high and determine if it is sufficiently warming the cabin and defrosting the windows. If it isn’t, then you may need to get it serviced. At the very least pop the hood and verify that the hoses are in good condition.

5. Examine the cooling system. If your coolant hasn’t been flushed in a few years, get this job done before winter arrives. Your coolant should be either yellow, blue or green. If it has lost its color, appears rusty or if you notice detritus floating in the fluid, then have it flushed. Verify that the hoses are in good condition and that the clamps are secure too.

6. Consider your tires. If you live in a place where snow is not common, your current tires should be sufficient. Still, you need to examine them to ensure that there is enough tread remaining. Also check your spare tire to determine its condition — you don’t want to have a flat tire on hand when you need a working spare. In places where snow is common, replacing your “all season” tires with snow tires makes sense. In fact, it may be required where you live or at least chains may need to be added. It is always best to put winter (snow) tires on all four wheels.

7. Probe the battery. If your car’s battery dies this winter, you’re not going anywhere. Most car batteries last three years with some models hanging around for five years. No matter, check the connections to ensure that they’re clean and attached. If your battery is pushing its life limit, then replace it. Winter will only cause it to work harder — you might as well invest in a new one. By the way, ensure that your jumper cables are stashed away in your car whether you choose to buy a new car battery or not.

8. Inspect your brakes. Are your brakes ready for winter? New brakes pads and calipers may be in order. If you hear grinding when you apply the brakes, that is a sure sign that brake work is needed. Get this work done before you’re dealing with black ice, snow and frosty road conditions.

Here Comes Winter

What else can you do to prepare for the next winter wallop? If you travel a lot and are prone to head out to remote places, then an emergency kit is a smart idea. Include the usual emergency supplies, but also bring blankets, boots, winter clothing, food, and water. A fully charged cell phone and charger are essentials too, but neither will do you much good if you are out of cell phone range.

Finally, ensure that all lights are working, that you have extra fuses on hand, bring with you duct tape, spare hoses and belts, and inform someone not traveling with you of your route and of your plans. With your car in great shape and you taking the necessary driving precautions, you can handle everything that the season throws your way.

Winter Prep: Replace Your Worn Out Tires

November 20, 2008 by admin 1 Comment

Very soon, much of the nation will be in the icy grip of Old Man Winter, a season that promises to supply us with plenty of cold air, ice and snow. If we are fortunate enough, we will have a rather tame few months, with warmer air keeping the worst of the season’s fury at bay.

Chevrolet Monte Carlo Regardless of just how this winter turns out, your car should be ready to withstand the worst of nature’s wrath. Your tires, which play a significant role in keeping your car on the road and moving, need to be ready for the months ahead. Not surprising, many drivers just do not check their tires often enough, putting themselves, their passengers and other motorists at risk.

Inspect Your Tires Monthly

You have heard the recommendation before: check your tires at least once a month to find out if they have enough air and are safe to drive on. Regular check-ups can help you determine if your tires need to be serviced or replaced. Most flats can be handled and repaired, but if you have a blowout or most of the tread is gone, then you need new tires.

Worn tires are a hazard, a potential safety problem that can cause an accident, injuring or even killing you. Most states regulate tire wear as a tire with not enough tread depth is prone to skidding, a common enough event during the winter months.

(See Also — 7 Winter Driving Safety Tips)

The Abe Lincoln Test

One way that drivers can determine if their tires are worn and in need of replacement is to invite Abe Lincoln to a test. Specifically, a Lincoln penny placed in the shallow tread groove with his head down, an effort that will reveal whether there is enough tread left or not.

If the top of Lincoln’s head remains visible, then the tire doesn’t have enough tread and should be replaced. Check out our tips on buying new tires for your car.

The Wear Bar Test

Another way to check for wear is to look for those narrow bands that appear inside the grooves crossing the tire’s tread. Wear bars are not seen until the tires have been worn down (hence its name). When the wear bars appear, your tires should be replaced.

Of course, if you are not sure if your tires need replacing or would prefer that someone else take a look for you, most tire stores offer a free brake inspection and check your tires too. Be safe this winter and put “tire checking” on your list of safety items to inspect on a regular basis.