WebProNews

Tag: winter tires

  • Snow Tires: When And If They Should Be Put On

    Snow tires are great if you happen to live in a cold climate that sees a lot of snow and ice.

    They help with braking on slippery surfaces and keeping a grip on the road when driving in wintery weather, but when are you supposed to switch over to snow tires from regular tires?

    Carolyn Goard, communications manager with the TRAC, which represents Canadian tire manufacturers and importers, says that you should put them on about two weeks before snow is expected.

    Regular tires tend to harden in cold weather, making it harder for them to keep a grip on the road. Snow tires, made especially for all kinds of cold weather conditions, stay softer when the weather gets brutal.

    “There is nothing wrong with getting a head start and putting them on in, say, October,” Goard says. “Many people are pro-active about getting their winter tires on a bit earlier so that they are prepared when the first big snow comes.”

    However, she also cautioned against putting on the snow tires too early in the season, as it can cause unnecessary wear.

    “If your vehicle is wearing winter tires in the summer, or year-round, they are going to wear out a heck of a lot quicker because they are not manufactured to be used during the months other than the winter months,” Goard said.

    Also, apparently snow tires don’t perform as well as all-season tires when the weather isn’t cold. In tests by Consumer Reports, snow tires took an average of almost 23 feet further to stop from 60 mph on a dry track. On a wet track, it took snow tires over 40 feet further to stop.

    If you don’t live in an area that gets a ton of snow and wintery weather, it’s best to check with a local tire dealer for a recommendation on whether or not to use snow tires.

    Drive safely this winter!

  • 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.

  • Winter Tires, Are They Worth Buying?

    Winter Tires, Are They Worth Buying?

    Winter is here, and for most of the country the roads are slick, icy and full of snow. Is it worth it to buy snow or winter tires?

    Many drivers who live in icy snowy winters use all-season tires throughout the year and some use chains. But winter tires or snow tires can be a better choice, if the winters are extended.

    Deciding whether winter tires are worth the cost, not to mention the time and trouble to remove and store when no longer needed, it might be a good idea to look at the differences in tires and understand their purpose.

    Summer tires are designed to use in warm weather, obviously, and perform best when there is no chance of snow and ice. They are not made to withstand cold and freezing weather, they could crack and wear too quickly. But, they do have better traction on wet and dry pavement than other kind of tires. However, they tend to wear out more quickly than all-season tires.

    All-season tires have deeper and more sturdy tread designed to grip the road better in all seasons, and perform well in a more varied temperature range than summer tires. They also, because of the thicker and more sturdy tread, last longer than summer or street tires.

    Winter tires are made to perform better in snow and ice, remaining more flexible and soft in an effort to grab the road more efficiently . They feature extra thin grooves, also called sipes, a feature that creates numerous tread edges for added grip. As the winter tires turn, the treads open and close, which is designed to push snow away from the tire.

    Winter tires, however, don’t perform well for non-winter conditions. They have proven to wear more quickly than all-season tires or summer tires on dry or rainy roads. So changing them during spring and summer conditions is a must.

    Checking out prices of all season tires as opposed to winter tires, depending on your climate, will determine whether winter/snow tires will keep you safer in cold and snowy regions. Tests prove they are the best performers in wintery conditions.

    Image via YouTube

  • Winter Tire Alternatives: Green, but Effective?

    As earlier reported by us, it is catching on that winter tires damage our lungs and heart more than they protect us from slipping on the highway. While this may be true, it is still pretty obvious that we need some sort of extra protection while driving over this winter’s ice and snow. Thankfully, there are options other than the traditional winter tires if you’re looking for an eco-friendly and more healthier way to stay safe.

    Fabric boots are growing in popularity– easy installation along with effective traction make the decision easy for some.

    Snow socks have been seeing increased usage in the past years; you slip the fabric snow chains over your front tires like socks for increased traction. The idea is essentially in the same order as sliding wool socks over your shoes for more walking grip– now your car can match your furry feet. It is recommended that use of snow socks should only be used if it freezes sporadically in your area, and not the majority of the winter.

    Flex-Trax, a company dedicated to advanced traction systems, boasts that its SnoClaws are 66 percent faster than tire chains, causes no damage to cars or roads, takes less than five minutes to install and are more durable than snow socks, cables and metal chains. The company attaches rubber to the inside of the fabric customary snow socks along with metal cleats on the outside for more durability and traction. Flex-Trax also assures us that SnoClaws can be installed while a vehicle is stuck to provide a quick escape. A video shows you exactly how it works:

    So, who uses snow socks or SnoClaws? Are they effective? Let the world know.

    (Remember: Alertness and wise driving decisions are necessary no matter what type of tire that you use!)

    [image: Youtube]

  • Winter Tires- Get Them Cheap On Black Friday

    Winter can be hard on vehicles and if you want yours to last, you have to get it ready for the cold weather. One of the most important parts of your vehicle to consider during the winter is your tires. Even if the tread on your tires is good, they hold air and drive well, you still may need to get new or different tires for winter.

    Winter tires are made to withstand the cold weather, ice and salt that may be on the road. Tires that are considered all-season may not be durable enough for cold weather driving either. Buying winter tires can also keep your car from sliding on ice on the roads and in your driveway and help prevent your vehicle from getting stuck in heavy snow.

    So why don’t more people buy tires during the winter? Well one of the most common reasons is that they are too busy shopping for Christmas gifts and tires can be expensive. Check your vehicle and if you decide you are in need of new tires this winter, take advantage of the great tire deals available on Black Friday.

    If you are in the market for Michelin or BF Goodrich tires you should checkout the Sears Black Friday ad. Many of the Sears Black Friday deals are already available online and you may be able to pick up the tires at your local Sears store instead of waiting and paying to to have them shipped to your door.

    Walmart is also offering winter tire deals on Black Friday and their ad says you can save up to $127 per tire. The Walmart Black Friday sale starts at 8am on Friday, November 29. While finding the right size and brand of tires you want during a Black Friday sale might sound difficult, you won’t have to worry about that at Walmart this year because they are offering a Weekend Tire in Stock guarantee on Good Year tires.

    Don’t get distracted by all the amazing prices on things you don’t necessarily need this Black Friday and instead, buy something that will keep your family safe on the road. You aren’t likely to find better tire prices any other time this winter.

    Image from 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

  • Winter Tires Risk Being Banned After Research

    It’s 32 degrees with a low of 28 in Sweden right now, and medical researchers there are calling for a ban on studded winter tires.

    Many people worldwide use the drop in weather to determine when its time to change into their winter tires, but according to the Alaska Dispatch, researchers in Sweden are declaring that studded winter tires actually do more harm than good.

    A Sweden newspaper named Dagens Nyheter recently released an article featuring two medical researcher’s belief that winter tires rarely have much effect on your driving safety, but they do cause extreme harm to the environment. These researchers believe that winter tires release particles in the air that cause respiratory, cardiac, pulmonary and vascular diseases. The Swedish medical researchers believe that winter tires actually cause more harm to the body than any recorded traffic accidents suffered by those who do not use winter tires.

    Many people believe that winter tires, sometimes known as snow or studded tires, are only necessary for environments covered with snow. Since Sweden is covered with snow, these findings are pretty significant to both those in cold countries as well as for those who experience a smaller amount of snow.

    If you do decide to purchase winter tires, be sure to do your research on the best tires. The best winter tires provide the most traction for your vehicle and also contain the least amount of studs and extra rubber that could prove harmful for you and the environment.

    (Image: Youtube)