Ice, Snow, Sleet, Cold—It’s Time to Change to Winter Tires
Few people realize that, for tires, winter begins at 7°C; 44 degrees F. Once temperatures stay at this level, it’s time to think about installing more flexible winter tires. Greater rubber flexibility in cold temperatures is vital to keeping control of your vehicle while both driving and braking on cold, icy, and snow-covered roads.
Under snowy or icy conditions, you have to pay attention and adjust by driving more slowly, braking easier, and allowing more distance between vehicles. But perhaps the most important thing you can do for safety is to change your regular tires for winter tires. From their tread patterns to the chemical composition of their rubber, winter tires are designed for driving under the most dangerous winter conditions.
Even all-season tires will not provide you with the traction winter tires provide. If you see a sidewall mark of M+S, M/S, M&S, or MS, you have a Mud and Snow, or all-season tire. This mark means they have been approved by the Rubber Manufacturer’s Association (RMA) for use in mud and light snow. If you’re caught in a blizzard, however, you’ll wish you had replaced them with good winter tires bearing the mountain/snowflake symbol on the sidewall! That symbol means the RMA has approved them for “severe snow service,” meaning they will provide better traction, thus helping with control, starting, and stopping.
Summer and all-season tires, designed for the heat generated on the road, tend to stiffen in the cold. Stiff tires cannot provide optimal traction because they cannot grip the road or move around snow. Winter tire rubber maintains flexibility in lower temperatures.
The tread patterns on winter tires is also different from summer and all-season tires. Deeper tread depths and increased slots and sipes (tiny slits in the tire that help the tire bite down on the ice) allow the tires to grip the ice more tightly and dig deep into the snow—providing more control.
This combination of features is what sets winter tires apart from even all-season tires.
By continually exceeding customer expectations, Bauer Built Inc. has become one of the largest dealers in the United States for new and retread commercial, fleet, Ag and retail tires and for related wheel conditioning and mechanical service providers. Commercial drivers and fleet managers trust Bauer Built to provide quality services and products that will keep them on the road
Learn more about what Bauer Built can do for you.
Categories: Bauer Built Blog, Tire Care Tips
