Tire Maintenance Crucial During Winter
Winter Tires are a Must
Safe Driving is Fundamental
As the sweltering heat and tropical nights of summer fade away, the season of bundling up against the chilly winds, winter, is fast approaching. Now, our attention must shift from diseases caused by scorching summer heat to those that can occur due to cold weather. However, not just humans need to take care of their health during winter. Car tires also need their own form of health care.
Leaving your tires unchecked during winter can decrease your car’s performance, potentially endangering both drivers and pedestrians. So, how should one manage their tires for the upcoming winter season? Let’s look at some valuable tips for managing car tires during winter and put them into action.
Optimized for Winter Road Conditions
Winter Tires are the Best Choice
Commonly used tires include all-season tires but also summer and winter tires. During winter, drivers can choose between all-season tires and winter tires. All-season tires harden on surfaces below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, reducing their grip. However, thanks to a special compound, winter tires maintain sufficient grip even in low temperatures.
An experiment by Korea Tire clearly shows the difference between the two types of tires. When braking at 25 mph on a snowy road, all-season tires recorded a braking distance of approximately 124 feet. In contrast, winter tires had a braking distance of about 60 feet, which is only half that of all-season tires.
Replace All Four Tires
Trying to Save Money Could Lead to Accidents
You must change all four wheels if you’re switching to winter tires. This is true even for vehicles with front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, where only two wheels transmit power. If you try to save money by mounting winter tires only on the drive wheels, the risk of your vehicle skidding on snowy roads increases.
Replace all four tires with winter tires, and to prolong their lifespan, rotate the front and rear tires based on their wear levels. After winter, you must switch back to all-season tires. If you use winter tires in warm temperatures, your car may not perform optimally. Furthermore, the treads can wear out rapidly, making the tires unsuitable for use in the next winter season.
Checking Tire Pressure is Essential
Safe Driving is Fundamental
Proper tire pressure is crucial, but it’s essential during early winter. This is because tire pressure also decreases as temperatures drop and air contracts. If the tire pressure drops too much, the tire can sag, causing the sidewalls to wear, directly affecting safety.
Even if you have winter tires installed and regularly check their pressure, it’s all in vain if you don’t drive safely on snowy roads. Snowy and icy roads are 4-8 times more slippery than regular roads. Considering this, you should avoid abrupt acceleration, sudden braking, and sharp turns. When driving on snowy roads with tire tracks, hold the steering wheel tighter than usual and utilize engine braking on downhill roads. Also, don’t lower tire pressure to increase traction.
By. Seo Yunji
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