– by Julian Sale –
It is official, with winter’s shortest day less than a month away, we are definitely feeling the cold. What does that mean for your contact patch? You know, where the rubber meets the road … Your vehicle’s tires complete the link between you and the road. We all forget how great new tires are until we buy them, because we are all a little complacent.
Winter is no time to mess around with safety, so let’s look at your tires. It’s good practise to have your mechanic inspect your tires for condition and wear with every service. When you learn it’s time for new tires, do you know on what your money is best spent? The truth is, all-season tires are fitted on most cars, but there are other options like summer, sport, winter, all-terrain, and race tires to name a few. You have probably heard tire advertisements stating the science of 7 degrees, meaning that a “winter” tire outperforms others at temperatures under seven degrees Celsius. It’s true. But in Victoria, we don’t see consistent temperatures in that range for long periods, meaning winter tires are not ideal on the milder days of winter. An all-season tire works well in all seasons, but is the master of none. The dark and often wet, usually chilly winter commutes make for a more dangerous drive, as we lose visibility and face adverse conditions like a fogged windshield, and frosted mirrors, together with slippery feet on wet pedals. This makes safety all the more important. Now throw in poor visibility, glare from oncoming headlights, and a slippery road, and you’re at great risk along with your fellow drivers and pedestrians.
So how do we handle this one? Simple – invest in your safety by purchasing a spare set of wheels and tires dedicated for winter driving. Talk with your favourite tire professional about your needs and driving habits, and they will sell you the most appropriate tires. The initial cost can be big, but your safety is worth more than tires and wheels cost. Check your pressures regularly too, as under inflated tires are extremely dangerous. So keep the rubber on the road, drive safe.
