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Tag: Tires

  • Winter Tires: Tips To Keep You Safe

    Whether you want to admit it or not, winter is almost here and that means snow, ice and sleet in many parts of the country. As much as most of us would like to stay bundled up and inside on those cold wintery days, it just isn’t possible and travel is a daily necessity for most people.

    Winter can make road conditions unsafe, but by preparing your car for winter, you have a much better chance of staying safe. One of the most popular and effective ways to prepare your automobile for winter is to install winter tires.

    Winter tires are designed to perform better in cold conditions and in the snow and ice. While it might seems as simple as picking out some tires and putting them on your car, there are some tips that can help ensure you choose the right ones.

    Do’s

    Install all four winter tires on the vehicle. Even if the tread and condition of one or more of your current tires is good, you should still install winter tires on all four of your vehicle’s wheels. This will ensure that all of your tires are performing properly and that you have a smooth and even ride.

    Check the tires often for pressure and signs of wear and damage. Winter can wear tires down quickly and although you may think that your new winter tires will last a long time, if you drive often you should check the tread and condition on a regular basis.

    Check air pressure often. Tires with the proper air pressure will last longer and are safer for winter travel.

    Don’ts

    Avoid using tires that have low or worn tread. As the tread wears down, the car will lose traction in the snow. Although you might not think a little tread loss is a big deal, it could make your car unsafe for winter travel.

    It is never a good idea to mix tires, especially winter tires. You will need all of the tires to work together to get you through the snow and ice safely and when they all match, they will work together better.

    If you are in need of winter tires, now is the time to buy them. Don’t wait until the bad weather hits, get your car or truck ready now.

  • Michelin Tires: New All-Season Tire A Hit

    Michelin Tires: New All-Season Tire A Hit

    Michelin has just released a new all-season tire that is giving the competition a ride for their money. The all-season tires are popular among vehicle owners because they are versatile, affordable and offer a comfortable ride.

    Since the tires are new, there are not a lot of customer reviews, but TireRack.com, which sales and tests tires, has offered their expert opinion on the new tires.

    “Grand Touring All-Season tires are designed to deliver a blend of refined ride comfort, good traction and handling, long tread wear and all-season capability,” TireRack.com said.

    “Michelin has also found a way to mold the tread pattern in such a way that the main circumferential rain grooves get wider towards the base rather than narrower like in traditional tire designs. This helps minimize the restriction of water flowing through the tire footprint as the tread gets shallower (as the tire wears). Premier A/S also has emerging grooves in the shoulder block stat transition from a thin, slit-like sipe to an actual groove, also heeling give water a place to go when the rest of the tread is getting shallower,” the website added.

    The tires were tested on both wet and dry surfaces on identical cars. Every year TireRack.com tests tires from a variety of different categories and reports their findings.

    Michelin’s new all-season tire will allow them to compete with other tire companies that offer similar tires and will allow them to explore a new market and attract new customers.

    Michelin’s Primacy MXV4 was once a top seller, but because it has been around for a while, Michelin needed to release something newer.

    The new all-season tires are even more impressive than the MXV4 and will likely help Michelin rise back to the top in tires sales.

    What is your favorite tire brand?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Winter Tires Cause Health Problems, Swedish Medical Researchers Claim

    At a time when Sweden will soon get hit with its usual seasonal winter weather, medical researchers are asking for a ban against winter tires.

    In the 1960s, these tires were first introduced to consumers in the United States. Metal studs inserted into the tire were made to enhance the friction on slippery roads, particularly those covered in snow or ice.

    Tire companies such as, Nokian, Michelin, and Bridgestone, manufacture some of the most popular brands.

    However, these tires have come to develop a pretty bad reputation. Now, winter tires seem to be very damaging to roads and hazardous for drivers.

    In a report by Tiresrack.com, it states how winter tires during the drier seasons have been costly for taxpayers due to its tear on the road.

    “The studs were designed to use the vehicle’s weight and centrifugal forces to provide more ice traction as they repeatedly chipped into the driving surface. However, when the road wasn’t covered with snow or ice, tire studs noisily chipped into the road itself…Additionally as studded tires chip into the concrete, they eventually cut ruts in the road that will fill with water to create a hydroplaning hazard when it rains.”

    Aside from safety issues, Sweden’s MAIN concern is the health risk the tires produce. According to medical investigation, researchers assert that the chipping away of the road increases “…the amount of harmful particles in the air, leading to an increase in cardiac, vascular and pulmonary diseases.”

    In 2011, a scientific study in the Chemical Research in Toxicology journal concluded that studded winter tires presented similar health risks, as reported today.

    Countries like, Japan and Germany have banned the slip-resistant tires. State regulations prohibit winter tires in places such as, Texas, Alabama, Florida, and Maryland, while other states have minor seasonal restrictions.

    Along with Finland, Sweden has always been listed as one of the countries to substantially use winter tires.

    In the video below, Tire Rack visit Northern Sweden to test different tires that are best for winter time traction.

    Image Credit:  Youtube, Phillip O’Connor