Winter driving can be much more difficult and even dangerous than driving on roads where the conditions are normal. This is why it is important that you choose a set of tires that will do well even in the worst winter conditions, including blizzards, freezing ran, snow and situations where both ice and snow are on the road. If you do not know where you can begin for finding the right set of winter-based tires, read on as this article will provide a step-by-step guide on how you can best go about doing such things.
First, you will need to find your vehicle's owner manual. Why is this important when finding an appropriate set of winter tires? It is because it will offer specific advice from your car's manufacturer on which tire design and size will work best for your vehicle. Once you have determined what you need, go to a tire shop and give the clerk your specifications. They will provide further assistance in picking out the right winter tires. If you do not know how to put the tires on the car yourself, consider getting them put on professionally. This is a service that is offered through most top-notch tire shops.
When you do go about buying your snow tires, make sure they use metal studs, as these type work well when there are icy conditions on the road. However, do not use metal stud tires during times in which you are not experiencing wintry weather. Otherwise, there could be damage caused to the roads. Additionally, you could risk getting in legal trouble, since metal studs are only allowed during the winter season. Some states have even banned their use altogether. So, save your existing tires so you can put them back on your vehicle when the winter season ends.
Additionally, you will want to make sure your snow tires are all the same when it comes to their design, their size and their tread. You need to especially be on alert for such things if you have a vehicle using front wheel drive. This is because with front wheel drive vehicles, if you use rear wheels that are mismatched, you could risk losing traction ability when you are trying to brake during wintry conditions.
If you want even more protection when driving in wintry weather, consider getting tire chains. These are special chains that can help increase the traction ability of your car up to 200 percent. This is provided that the tire chains are the appropriate size for your tires. If the tire chains are too large or too small for your tires, they will not do their job very well, if at all.
In conclusion, getting the right set of winter tires could help prevent you from getting in a serious accident during the winter. Yet, keep in mind that winter tires aren't a cure-all, despite being a good back-up if you do happen to get caught in bad weather. If you have an option to stay at home during extreme weather conditions, this will provide you the most protection against a snow-related accident. Don't take the risk if you don't have to.
