Winter is fast approaching and if you haven’t already had to drive in the snow, you will soon. Since safety is of the utmost importance when driving, maintaining your tires should be a top priority.

Checklist for winter driving

In order to keep your car in the best working condition and maintain safety in cold weather you should follow these safety guidelines:

• Tune-up-If it has been awhile since your last tune-up now is a great time.
• Check fluids-Make sure that you have plenty undiluted windshield wiper fluid and engine coolant.
• Check cables-Make sure that your battery cables are in good shape and securely connected.
• Battery-Make sure that the battery not corroded and is working at full-strength. Any auto parts store can check this for you.
• Tires-Now is a great time to get snow tires or tire chains. Maintaining your tires is an important safety precaution.

Winter driving tips

Drive slowly and give yourself plenty of space between your car and other cars in inclement weather conditions. Do not slam on the brakes and don’t assume that your car or tires can drive under any weather condition.

Whether you have snow tires or add tire chains, be sure to continually maintain your tires all winter. Maintain your tires by checking air levels, tread wear and depth. Make sure that your spare tire is in working condition and that you have the proper equipment to change a tire if the need arises. Just remember that maintaining your tires is essential for winter driving conditions.

 

Good reminder.

 

We don't even have snow Noah.

 

Yup, good reminder (especially since we just got 5" in chicago last night)

 

Agreed, we got a fresh 5" last night in Barrie as well!

 

Well...

 

My '01 F/awd RX300 runs on nice and quiet comfortably riding Bridgestone Turanza "summer" tires all year 'round. IMMHO there is NO wintertime specialty tire that will outperform my tire chains and I do not have to put up with the noise, "rumble", and haersh ride.

Were I to have the need to run on adverse condition roads more than a few days throughout the year my story might be different

 

^^ wait till you have to stop suddenly once day, you'll see why those summer tires just don't cut the mustard in winter conditions.

 

Still no snow in VA..

 

^ is this now..

 

I think tire chains are not allowed in most states these days.

 

snow gets bad sometimes here in colorado which sucks

 

great reminder. I'm just glad that spring is around the corner & i can finally put my gas guzzing winter tires away

 

Or if you live in Canada get winter tires because it's the law.

 

winter tires ftw

 

I don't get snow where I am, but thanks ill know for when I go to NC to go boarding

 

Great write up

 

what he said.


.

 

Rep from wi

 

Snow sucks sometimes lol

 

Thanks for sharing simple tips on driving in snowy winter season !

 

I've driven in northern climates (Minnesota and now Alaska) for 50+ years. In real winter driving conditions. Based on my experience "All Season" tires are nearly worthless in winter, compared to real winter tires. Proper winter tires are the way to go if you live in a northern climate. I've used both studless (Bridgestone Blizzak) and studded (Nokian Hakkapeliitta) tires over the past 30 years in Alaska. For me, the latest Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 tires are the best. They are quieter than previous generations of studded tires and have many of the advantages of the studless tires (softer rubber compound and more sipping, quieter studs and different stud designs). I have the Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9 tires mounted on all our cars this winter....a 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon, 2018 Accord Hybrid Touring, 2002 VW Jetta TDI and 2013 Subaru Outback (for sale).


Gary
Alaska

 

Thanks for the suggestion on the Nokians. I've only ever used Blizzaks. I have a set of WS-80's on right now and they're exceptional in the snow. However, I only have FWD ('12 TL) and there are certainly times that I could use the extra traction. I've never gotten stuck with the Blizzaks but there are plenty of times that I've had to turn off traction control in order to get up a steeper grade. I'll have to look into getting a set when the Blizzaks wear out.

 

the absolute best thing you can do in the winter time is not over drive conditions regardless of how well you think your car can handle it. this means keeping extra distance and driving slower.

taking your car into a giant empty snow filled parking lot and sliding it around will go a long ways to help you understand how the car reacts.

 

This is the first thing I did with both of my kids when they bought their cars and we had a good snow fall. So far it has kept my son from putting his in the ditch.

 

COOL! We also did the practice driving on an ice rink late at night. Take it up to ten MPH and hit the brakes. It was a smaal town.

 

Might be required in some Western mountain areas depending upon the conditions.

 

Definitely the case in and around the Lake Tahoe area. Quoting from the Navada transportation site

"Traction Requirements on Certain Tahoe Roads

Certain Tahoe-area highways now require any vehicle traveling without tire chains during winter chain restrictions to be four-wheel or all-wheel drive with snow tires.

All vehicle types with chain or snow tires were previously allowed during chain requirements. Under the new requirement, only four-wheel or all-wheel vehicles with snow tires and all vehicles with approved tire chains will be allowed when chain requirements are in place on the following state roads:

• State Route 431 (Mt. Rose Highway)

• State Route 207 (Kingsbury Grade)

• U.S. 50- between Glenbrook and Carson City

 

Anyone tried the Falken AT ?