Winter driving can be difficult due to the ice, snow, slush on the road, and occasionally the blinding light in your eyes. We haven’t even seen the worst of it in certain parts of the nation! Fortunately, driving during the winter doesn’t necessarily involve slipping and sliding. Easy tips could enhance your tires’ grip and performance in blustery winter conditions.
1. ADD WEIGHT TO THE REAR FOR VEHICLES WITH REAR WHEELS.
A front-engine, the rear-wheel vehicle might benefit from additional weight at the back to maintain traction in slick (or even muddy) conditions. By doing this, you are putting extra weight on the axle that generates power. According to The News Wheel, “the car can grip better if there is weight on the axle and tires that spin.”
This entails packing the trunk of an automobile. This entails filling the truck bed. Sandbags, kitty litter boxes, or even dirtbags might be used. The upside is that you can use sand and dirt on your yard come spring and kitty litter to soak up oil spills in the garage! Talk about materials with several uses.
2. USE the lanes made clear by other vehicles.
If someone has previously made a path for you to drive through the deep snow, you won’t have to worry as much about doing so. Keep in the tracks of other vehicles when traveling on previously traveled streets. Remember that even snow packed down tightly can still be slick, so adapt your pace to the situation (and check out other great winter driving tips from Bridgestone Winter Driving School Director Mark Cox).
4. ARRIVE WITH A PAIR OF TIRE SOCKS.
The socks your grandmother knits for you every winter are not like these. These socks are for your car. As with snow chains, tire socks, also known as snow socks, fit directly around the tire and improve traction in icy weather. However, tire socks get their name because they are entirely comprised of cloth. The way the fibers are structured causes snow and ice to adhere to them while you drive, giving your tires more “grip” than they otherwise might. The process of installation is simple but does need some work.
3. Invest in a pair of simple-to-install snow chains.
Snow chains, which increase grip, assist drivers in maintaining control in slick circumstances, similar to tire socks. Ensure you read the installation instructions carefully and purchase the correct size to match your particular tires and vehicle.
Snow chains are placed on the rear tires of cars with rear-wheel drive. They will go on the front tires of front-wheel drive automobiles and all four tires of four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicles. Before you need the chains, practice putting them at home! This will make installing them simpler and less stressful when it matters most. Depending on your climate, tire chains may not be essential if you already have snow tires.
5. PURCHASE WINTER TIRES.
According to Consumer Reports, “specialized winter tires are more practical and versatile for the wide variety of wintry situations” for most Snowbelt drivers. Investing in winter tires is one of the finest decisions you can make for your car and your safety if it makes sense for your climate and vehicle. Winter tires are made to continue performing in cold, dry weather in addition to ice, snowy, or slushy circumstances. You may drive confidently if you have a good grip on the road, thanks to winter tires!
Prepare for the remainder of the winter, personally and with your car. Even if these suggestions may be helpful, if you reside in a region with severe winters, nothing beats having appropriate winter tires. Request a quote for winter tires online or visit your neighborhood Firestone Complete Auto Care to learn more. Winter will not accommodate your schedule, but we will. We’re here whenever you need us because our tire shops are open late and on the weekends.
