It’s important to make sure that your tires always have maximum contact with the road in the winter, since even the best roads can be hazardous when sleet, slush and snow create a thin layer of water between your tires and the road. You’re just that much safer on the road when your tires maintain traction.
Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind as you drive this winter:
- Check the pressure in your tires every month.Cold air reduces tire pressure, which means the tire has less contact with the pavement and becomes likelier to hydroplane; also, the tread on severely under-inflated tires can turn concave and trap water. If you can’t remember the manufacturer’s recommended PSI, take a look at the label inside the driver-side door. Since heat causes tire pressure to rise, so it’s a good idea to wait to check the tires until at least a half-hour after driving on them.
- Buy winter tires. Regular (or “summer”) tires feature tread compounds that may become even harder in the cold, while winter tires feature compounds that are specifically designed to remain soft and maintain grip. The larger treads on winter tires allow for more contact with the road surface, which always helps push through snow and ice.
- Replace worn-out tires. Tired tires are very dangerous on wet roads, since the grooves are no longer deep enough to channel water out. If your tires don’t include a built-in wear indicator, try using the penny trick: insert a penny in the groove with Lincoln’s head facing out and upside down; if his entire head is visible, you need to get new tires.
- Slow down. But you already knew to do that.
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