In the cold winter comes, days grow shorter and drivers face the most important decision of a year: Whether to change tires. Though this may seem an unnecessary inconvenience to some, a seasonal tire change is essential in the transition from summer to winter driving conditions. Benefits of Seasonal Tire Changes for Winter Driving. In much of the Northwest Hemisphere during the wintertime.
Roads may pose unique challenges: ice, snow and slush. The right tires can substantially reduce your chances of accidents, help maintain performance levels as well as safety not only for yourself but for other road users too. For example, tires labeled “maximum traction,” “Winter” or those with deep treads are considered winter tires.
(These distinguish them from some all-season types, which merely look the same but lack adequate tread depth to provide grip on slippery surfaces.) The Measured Difference When standard tires did so poorly in ice tests, why did TireRack.com decide that snow tires should go on every vehicle people drive, regardless of the type or form– in 1992?
In this article, we will take a hard look at the major benefits of seasonal tire changes, focusing on how these changes are necessary for winter driving, why they help ensure road safety and improve performance of your vehicle as well as confidence behind the wheel while driving in general.
1. Enhanced Movement on Snow and Ice
The first and most obvious benefit of winter tires is their capacity to give great grip in both snow and ice. Winter tires are cleverly made out of a softer rubber material, so they are still breathable even in cold weather. All-season and summer tire, however, tend to harden when it gets chilly–which is much worse for their grip.
Winter tires are also designed with larger, longer tread blocks that have special patterns. These serve to channel slush and snow away from the tire’s surface. That gives your vehicle better control and stability as a consequence–in icy conditions, such benefits might make all the difference between retaining control of your car or indeed losing it entirely. Try-grip tires really can mean the difference between sliding into something deadly or merely getting scared silly.
All-season is a compromise: They’re good in moderate conditions, but not perfect for freezing or the difficult conditions posed by deep snow and ice. By contrast, engineers have uniquely designed winter tires to withstand the worst that winter can bring. That’s why you wouldn’t choose to live in any place in which there is regular snowfall and temperatures routinely hover below the freezing mark if you hadn’t bought winter tires.
2. Shorter Stopping Distances
Benefits of Seasonal Tire Changes for Winter Driving. Another major performance benefit of winter tires is that, in cold weather, they can reduce stopping distances. When temperatures dip below 7 °C (44 °F), all-season and summer tires become less efficient. Their tougher rubber mix will not grip the road as well, so stopping distances are longer.
On icy roads this is especially alarming; what extra distance gained, even if only a few feet, might signify the difference between avoiding a collision and having one. According to studies, vehicles equipped with winter tires can stop up to 30% sooner on snow or ice than those riding on all-seasons.
For instance, a car moving at 30 mph (48.28 km/h) may need up to 60 feet (ca. 18 m) to come to a halt on a snowy road with all-season tires; the same vehicle shod with winter tires could stop in only 40′. Such a twenty-foot difference could avert great peril, emphasizing the need for correct tire choice in winter driving.
3. Enhanced Vehicle Control and Stability
No one really knows what the wintry driving conditions will be like. Sudden snowstorms, black ice, wet slush — they can crop up out of nowhere and turn a “routine” drive into a kamikaze ordeal! For drivers, winter tires mean better control and greater stability in these conditions.
Benefits of Seasonal Tire Changes for Winter Driving. The cold-weather construction results in softer, more pliant compounds–enabling a winter tire to yield at the rate cold objects impinging upon it then spring back during rebound. This greater latitude for flexing allows winter tires to contour more closely to the road surface, fostering their supreme placidity and control. This enhanced control of the vehicle is particularly important when trying to make sharp turns or when driving downgrades in snowy and icy conditions.
The development of winter tires concentrates on avoiding the danger of hydroplaning and using aerodynamics to keep harmful vibration out. All-season tires, which are good enough for merely average weather, are of no use in anything tougher. Simply do not give drivers the same level of control as winter tires meant for sub-zero temperatures. Having the proper tires can make a major difference in how your vehicle handles winter driving problems, making you feel more sure behind the wheel.
4. Increased Safety for You and Others
When it comes to driving in winter, safety is the most crucial factor, and swapping over to winter-time tires is also one of the simplest but most valuable things you can do to improve your safety on the road. It is winter tires that often make the positive impact in preventing loss of traction, skidding, and accidents due to icy roads.
The special design of winter tires reduces the probability of such encounters; as a result, they not only keep you and your passengers safe, but also protect other road users from injury or damage. In many regions, winter tires are compulsory, obviously for this reason.
Some areas and countries require winter tires during certain months, emphasizing the importance of high-quality rubber in preventing accidents. Even if where you live doesn’t make it illegal, changing over in the fall alerts you that something is amiss with regard to winter safety. That way, you can be prepared for whatever winter throbs your way.
5. Cost Savings in the Long Run
By buying winter tires, there’s an up front cost to the joy of driving on them. However, over time, these tires actually can save you money for in the long run. Winter tires also tend to reduce the risk of accidents – so there are fewer repairs to pay out for. You’re less likely to be injured in an accident (because you’ve got better grip) and your insurance premiums will be lowed.1
Plus, by switching all-season or hot-weather tires with winter ones after the cold months of winter, you equalize out the wear over a longer time and thus extend the life of your normal tires.
If you don’t have the space to place your off-season tires, you may be able to consider taking full advantage of this possibility with your tire retailer. The peace of mind in knowing you have the right tires for conditions, combined with that convenience, makes investment worthwhile.
6. Improved Fuel Effectiveness
However, many motorcyclists don’t recognize that the right tires can also have a positive impact on fuel efficiency. Winter tires are designed for maximum roll on snow and ice, which translates into very low rolling resistance. In turn, this can mean improved fuel economy when compared with driving all-seasons on car tires in the winter: they may struggle to hold and have to take extra work out of the engine to get along.
Conclusion
Not only is changing two seasons the key to your winter is driving safety can be, it is no convenience alone. Winter tires help provide dozens of benefits, from improved traction and lower stopping distance to more control and better fuel mileage. Winter tires can help protect both you and the other passengers on the road.
When you choose the right winter tires, you’re not just going to improve your vehicle’s performance in harsh climates but also will take a big step towards safety. So as the temperature drops, don’t be slow to make this move-your life could depend upon it.
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