Getting Your Vehicle Ready for Winter Driving
In many parts of the country, holiday's mean
winter weather. While a White Christmas may bring holiday cheer,
it can also wreak havoc on our cars. This holiday season, remember
that driving in inclement weather — be it snow, ice, rain, sleet
or all of the above — takes skill, properly maintained vehicles
and some extra help from special equipment like snow tires.
First,
before the "Blizzard of '05" hits make sure your car
is ready. By taking your car to a certified automotive technician,
like those at a Firestone Tire and Service Center for a full check
up, you'll make sure that the engine, battery, exhaust system
and the heating and defrosting systems are in good working order.
The technician will also check the vehicle's main fluids including
engine oil, radiator coolant, brake, transmission, window washer
and power steering fluids to make sure they are filled to the
recommended levels and ready for the temperature drop.
If
you're already on the road when bad weather hits, there are things
you can do to keep yourself, passengers and other drivers safer
on the road. Number one, slow down. Taking it slow not only gives
you more time to stop, it also improves tire traction. Also, try
to avoid abrupt movements when braking, accelerating or turning.
If you feel your vehicle start to slide, gently take your foot
off the accelerator and try to regain feeling of the road. Do
not abruptly press on the brake pedal, or you could lose control
of the car. Finally, always use your headlights to help other
drivers see you.
In
addition to proper maintenance and safe driving habits, outfitting
your vehicle with the right tires and knowing how to maintain
them for optimum performance is key to safer driving during the
winter season. Poor traction in winter weather is frightening
and dangerous. One way to avoid this is by furnishing your vehicle
with a set of winter tires. Because high-performance tires built
for average-weather driving conditions may not provide optimal
traction on an icy road, investing in seasonal tires is your best
bet.
Today's
winter tires, such as the Bridgestone Blizzaks, are technologically
advanced to handle harsh winter driving conditions, specifically
snow and ice performance. Tires designed for winter driving have
tread patterns and tread compounds that reduce the risk of slipping
on the thin surface film of water that makes ice so dangerous.
Another important component of winter tires is tread depth. Deeper
treads provide greater traction by allowing tires to dig into
the snow and propel your vehicle through it.
If
you're wondering whether or not you need winter tires if your
car boasts four-wheel drive, the answer is YES! Remember, the
only part of your vehicle that touches the ground is the tire.
In order to supplement the four-wheel drive feature of your vehicle,
equip your car with winter tires to ensure the vehicle has the
optimal winter performance it is designed to deliver.
In
addition to installing winter tires, it is essential to make sure
that they are properly inflated, rotated, aligned and replaced,
as necessary. As outside temperatures drop, the air inside a tire
contracts and the pressure is reduced. Therefore, it is imperative
to check your tire pressure weekly during the colder months. Under-inflation
will lessen the gripping action because the tread will not meet
the road surface as it is designed to do; this also occurs with
over-inflation. Tires should be checked when the vehicle has been
driven less than a mile or, better yet, when it has not moved
in more than three hours.
Follow
these simple steps and the next time you get behind the wheel
during a snow or ice storm, you will be pleasantly surprised by
the improved driving control and the added security winter tires
and the right maintenance can provide. |