Choosing the Best Winter Tires for Safe Driving
Don't be caught off guard on icy roads this winter. Choosing the right winter tires for your vehicle can keep you safe when the road conditions get tough. But how do you choose?
Don't Take Risks:
Too often, drivers neglect their winter tires until they find themselves driving on an icy and dangerous road. These people are generally quite easy to notice: they are most often found stuck on the side of the road.
- This winter, don't take any chances and choose tires that will keep you on the road and out of the ditch.
4 Winter Tires are Better Than 2:
Winter is not the season to cut corners, especially if your safety is at stake.
- Although it is tempting to replace only two out of four tires, modern winter tire technology means that this practice leaves you more vulnerable than anything else.
- Replacing all four tires will give you better control and traction, which is well worth the expense.
Know the Classification of Your Tires:
Winter tires are not all alike. When doing your research, you'll want to educate yourself on the tire grading system to make sure you make the best choice.
But what are these rankings and what do they mean? You should be familiar with at least three of them:
- Load Capacity: The load capacity of a tire is the weight it can carry. Your winter tires should not show a lower load capacity than your normal tires.
- Speed Rating: A high-speed rating means that the tire will be able to withstand faster speeds and harsher conditions than if it had a lower rating. In short, a higher rating equates to better performance.
- Uniform Tire Quality Rating (UTQG): This rating gives you an idea of the tire's traction, its allowable wear rate, and its ability to dissipate heat.
With a good understanding of tire grading ratings, it will be easier for you to choose the right tires for your vehicle. If uncertainty persists, seek advice from your mechanic.
Know the Disadvantages of Winter Tires:
It is important to use winter tires in icy or snowy conditions, but it is just as important to be aware of the downsides, including:
- A Loss of Maneuverability: with winter tires, you will have to drive a little more carefully than usual.
- Tough on Asphalt: Winter tires should not be used all year round. Under normal driving conditions, they can damage the road.
- Higher Wear Rate: Winter tires wear out quickly, another reason why they shouldn't be deployed year-round.
But despite these drawbacks, properly used winter tires will keep you safe on adverse roads. By driving safely and getting the right winter tires, you can ensure that you don't end up among the unfortunate motorists stuck by the side of the road.
