Category Archives: Tire Information

The Cold Facts About Tire Pressure

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It is always alarming to see one of the gazillion warning lights on your dashboard illuminate. If you drive a newer vehicle that has an integrated Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) you may find you’ve been recently haunted by the light shown on the right. Seeing the TPMS light more often in winter is not uncommon, but it is also not something you should ignore.

First, it is important to understand how your TPMS works. The system use sensors technology to alert drivers when tire pressure in one of the tires goes below a predetermined level. When tire pressure in one or more of your drops, the light comes on.

Since air pressure decreases in frigid temperatures, drivers tend to see the TPMS light illuminate. According to tire experts, air pressure in a tire goes down 1-2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change. While you need not necessarily be surprised if  you see the TPMS light come on during cold spells, you should be sure to manually check the air pressure of your tires.

It is very important to check the pressure of your tires when it is cold outside and to keep tires inflated to the proper levels. Reasons include:

  • Low tire pressure can make a vehicle handle poorly
  • Tires tend to wear out much faster when they are not  properly inflated
  • Under inflated tires tend to overheat, which could lead to a blowout
  • Low tire pressure reduces gas mileage and costs you money

Check the pressure of your tires monthly. In order to obtain the most accurate pressure level, wait until tires have cooled – about 30 minutes after parking.

All-Wheel Drive and Four-Wheel Drive

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Although the terms may sound similar, all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are very different systems. On all-wheel drive vehicles, the drivetrain has a front, rear and center differential to provide power to all four wheels of a vehicle. On a four-wheel drive vehicle, the drivetrain has two differentials and a transfer case to provide power to all four wheels of a vehicle. All-wheel drive is found on cars and crossover vehicles, while trucks and truck-based sport utility vehicles usually have four-wheel drive. Both all-wheel and four-wheel drive systems improve vehicle acceleration in slippery conditions, and can enable better handling on some types of roads or terrain.

All-wheel drive and  four-wheel drive can be worth the extra investment if you live in an area that gets heavy rain or snowfall for much of the year. Also, if you tend to do a lot of off-road driving or driving on unpaved roads, all-wheel or four-wheel drive will be a highly beneficial investment for you. Additional advantages to having all-wheel drive or four wheel drive include better traction with towing and often in some cases, added resale value.

There are drawbacks to having an all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicle. All-wheel and four-wheel drive systems mean lower fuel economy and often require more maintenance than standard vehicles. An advantage that four-wheel drive offers that  all-wheel drive does not is that it can be turned off, so you can only use it when you need it, saving that extra fuel cost.

If you are considering whether or not to invest in an all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicle for safer winter driving, keep in mind that selecting the right type of tire may be the best thing you can do to enhance safety and performance.

Fall is the Time to Think About Winter Tires

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Whether we are in denial about the end of summer, or just busy thinking about a million other things, most of us don’t give any thought to winter tires until the first snow or ice hits. At that point, everyone is thinking about them, panic ensues, and winter tires, like shovels, suddenly become very difficult to find.

If you are in need of new winter tires, fall is the time to shop for and buy them. Retailers begin to stock the newest models of winter tires in the fall, so you will have the best selection from which to choose. If your tire retailer does not have the tires you want in the size you need, you can typically order them, and your retailer will install them, at your convenience, before the winter weather strikes.

Since winter tires are usually manufactured during the previous summer, quantities are most often limited. If you put off shopping for your winter tires too long, you may not get the tires or the price you want.

Not sure if you need winter tires? Consider the weather in your region. Do you often drive in snowy or icy conditions? In the winter time, do you find yourself waiting to leave until the roads in your area have been cleared? If so, then winter tires probably make sense for you. Winter tires offer superior grip when driving, stopping, and cornering. Winter tires do have the drawback of faster tread wear than all-season tires. This is because the tread is designed to bite into snow and ice, and the softer rubber is formulated to stay pliable at freezing temperatures. As long as you change back to your all-season tires in the spring, your investment should last for several seasons.

When shopping for winter tires, note that they have a mountain/snowflake symbol on the sidewall. It assures you that they passed an industry test for severe snow use.

Snow Tires for an SUV?

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Dear Tracy,

I thought that having a 4-wheel drive vehicle meant that I would not need snow tires, but my SUV’s handling on icy roads is not as great as I thought it would be. Would having snow tires installed help?

Rob T.

Dear Rob,

An SUV does offer many winter driving advantages. When you drive on snow covered roads, or try to get up  an unplowed driveway, you will be especially appreciative of that 4-wheel drive. Unfortunately, when it comes to slippery ice and slush, the power advantage of the 4-wheel drive system does not provide much benefit.

SUVs and other 4-wheel drive vehicles usually come equipped with large, wide all season tires. While great for driving in most conditions, these standard tires are less than ideal for winter driving conditions. The type of rubber used does not grip well in cold temperatures, and the tread pattern is not designed to channel large amounts of water on the road. Also, tires with a larger surface area may not cut through snow effectively, and be likely to hydroplane.

Snow tires, or winter tires are developed from a softer rubber than all season tires. This allows them to provide better road grip and handling. Winter tires also feature an open tread design, which gives them better handling capability on slush and snow. When it comes to stopping and cornering on snow and ice,  winter tires will give you a definite advantage, especially with four-wheel drive vehicles, which tend to be heavier and take longer to come to a stop.

If you are doing a lot of driving in slick and icy conditions, winter tires are well worth the investment. Using them will also help you extend the usable life of the your all season tires!

Cold Weather & Tire Pressure

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Dear Tracy,

I have a new car that has several fancy features, including a tire pressure monitoring system. Since the cold weather has set in, I have been noticing that the TPMS light always seems to be on. A friend told me it’s not unusual for that to happen in cold temperatures, and not to worry. Is this true?

Mara W.

Dear Mara,

Your friend is partially correct, it is common for that light to illuminate in cold weather.  But you should not ignore it. The reason the light comes on is because air pressure decreases in frigid temperatures. Experts say that air pressure in a tire goes down 1-2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature change. You need to check the air pressure of your tires, and most likely you will find you need to add air to them.

There are several reasons why it is important to check the pressure of your tires when it is cold outside and keep them inflated to the manufacturer’s recommendation:

  • Low tire pressure can cause a vehicle to be sluggish and hard to maneuver
  • Wear and tear on the tires increases substantially when the pressure is low
  • Low tire pressure has a negative impact on your gas mileage and costs you money
  • When the pressure is too low, your tires could overheat, which could lead to a blowout

It is a good idea to check the pressure of your tires monthly. Make sure the tires are cold when you adjust the air pressure to reach the most accurate pressure level.

All-Wheel and Four-Wheel – Nice for Snow and Ice

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Dear Tracy,

What is the difference between all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive? Are these systems better than two-wheel drive?

Larry K

Dear Larry,

All-wheel drive and four-wheel drive are different, but similar types of systems. The drivetrain of an all-wheel drive vehicle has a front, rear, and center differential to provide power to all four wheels. The four-wheel drive vehicle’s drivetrain has two differentials and a transfer case to supply power to all four wheels. The systems are similar in that they both can enhance acceleration in wet or icy conditions and improve handling in some driving situations. Cars and crossovers will feature all-wheel drive, while trucks and sport utility vehicles tend to have four-wheel drive.

Four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive can offer significant advantages, depending on the type of driving you do and the climate in which you do your driving. If you encounter a great deal of rain, snow, and ice, four-wheel drive can be a life-saver.  A-wheel drive or four wheel drive also provide superior traction with towing and add to the resale value of a vehicle.

On the down side, all-wheel and four-wheel drive vehicles tend to have lower fuel economy and require more maintenance than standard vehicles. Both consume more gas, but four-wheel drive, unlike all-wheel drive,  can be turned off so there is the option to only use it, and the extra gas, when you need it.

Tire Siping for Winter Driving

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Dear Tracy,

I recently heard about process called tire siping. Apparently this is something you can have done to your tires to improve traction and handling on snow and ice. Is this something I should do this fall, before winter arrives?

-Duncan S.

Dear Duncan,

Tire siping is a process that involves cutting slices across the tire tread. The idea is that the slice spreads open on the road surface, griping it and dispersing water to improve tire traction.

The concept of siping actually began with shoe rubber, not tires. In the early 20’s a slaughterhouse employee by the name of John Sipe found a solution to the problem of his shoes slipping on the wet floor. Sipe tried cutting groves into the bottoms of his rubber shoes and discovered that it greatly improved their traction. Mr. Sipe had the foresight to realize that his discovery would be useful and had the concept patented. About 30 years later, by the 1950’s, tire manufacturers were widely using the siping concept in their tire tread designs. Specialized siping patterns are still used today for a variety of tires.

As to whether or not after-market tire siping is a good idea, opinions differ. Tire siping machines have been developed do a variety of configurations for after-market tire modification. Those who believe in tire siping contend that it offers significant performance and safety benefits. The problem with siping, others say, is that today’s tire manufacturers already use siping in the design and manufacture of new tires. Extensive engineering and performance testing goes into modern tread design, so many experts believe there is no need for after-market modification. Another consideration is that after-market siping could void your tread-wear warranty.

When considering tire siping, first talk to your tire dealer about  the type, condition, and age of your tires. Rather than make irreversible changes to your tires, consider purchasing a quality set of winter tires, which are designed to incorporate siping features and benefits.

Two New Tires: Put the Best in Back

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Dear Tracy,

I recently parked in a spot that had some broken glass I did not notice, and now I have to replace my two front tires. Since the rear tires are still in good shape, and my budget is tight, I am only going to replace the damaged tires.

I was planning on putting the two new tires put on the front of my car because it is a front wheel drive car, and it seems like the better tires should be in the front. Is this true?

Eric C.

Dear Eric,

Sorry to hear about your mishap, Eric! I have had this happen, too, and it’s very frustrating.

Regardless of the type of car you have, your two new tires should go in the back. This is because the driving stability that enables you to control your steeling and braking is provided by the rear tires. Installing  the tires with the best tread in the back will help you maintain better control on wet roads and avoid the dangers of hydroplaning.

Hydroplaning occurs when tires lose contact with the road due to the tire’s inability to channel water through tread patterns. As front tires hydroplane, the vehicle tends to under steer and remain straight. But when rear tire hydroplaning happens, the vehicle tends to oversteer, or spin. Under steering can be can be controlled to a large degree by releasing the gas pedal and slowing down. In the case of over steering, it is a lot harder to resume control. This is why it is important to have the better tread on the rear tires.

Once you have your new tires installed, makes sure to stay on schedule with regular rotation and alignment checks, and always keep them properly inflated.

Summer Time, Summer Tires?

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Dear Tracy,

I live in the Midwest and as long as I’ve had my car, I’ve always put on snow tires during the winter and changed over to all-season tires for the spring, summer, and fall. Recently a friend told me he was shopping for a set of summer tires for optimal driving performance in the summer months. I’d never heard of summer tires and now I’m wondering if the all-season tires are best for spring and fall only. Can you shed some light on these different types of tires and how to make the right choice?

-Chuck A.

Dear Chuck,
Understanding the differences between winter tires, summer tires, and all-season tires will help you in selecting the right tire type for your vehicle. The climate in which you live, the season, and the type of driving you do are important factors in your decision.

Winter or snow tires are a necessity in areas that get a significant amount of snow and ice. The softer rubber used for winter tires is developed to grip better in low temperatures. The tread design features small tread blocks with tread cuts called siping, to promote better traction and help prevent hydroplaning. Winter tires wear faster because of the soft rubber, so they should be only used during the winter temperatures and conditions.

Though called summer tires, these performance tires are not necessarily the best choice for all summer driving. The name “summer” is more of a limitation than a recommendation, meaning  that these tires are appropriate for warm seasons and climates only. Summer tires do offer excellent driving performance by enhancing handing, acceleration, and braking response. These features aside, they are probably not the most practical choice for the typical driver due to expense. The rubber used in summer tires is soft like winter tires, but summer tires are subject to more heat and friction so they wear out  even more quickly.

All-season tires are designed to provide the best ride and driving performance in a range of climates and weather. The rubber composition and tread design are engineered for reliable handling and grip in a variety of temperatures and road conditions. I’d say your current tire game plan is probably the best approach for you.

Old Tires Avoid End of the Road

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Fortunately a lot fewer old tires are ending up in landfills these days. Concerns about the environment as well as innovation and creativity have inspired some great ideas for how tires can be re-used. Today, Tire Business published an article about how instead of meeting the end of the road, old tires are becoming the road, as part of the asphalt mix of the future.

The Technological Institute of Plastics in Valencia, Spain has reported the development of a “more durable and sustainable asphalt mix” made from plastic waste and end-of-use tires. After 18 months of studies, the 1.35-mile section of test road is performing very well. The combination of plastics, including polypropylene caps, polyethylene packages, polystyrene hangers and old tire material provides increased strength and rigidity.

Some of the other ways that old tires are being repurposed include:

  • Retreads: End-of-use tires can be recycled into new tires. Called “retreads”, these tires are often used on trucks and on airplanes.  Before tires can be retreaded they must be thoroughly inspected for damage, wear, and manufacturing defects. Many tires are not suitable for retreading and must be scrapped.
  • Energy from Tires: Nearly half of all old scrap tires are used for energy. Burned as fuel in factories and power plants, as well as cement kilns and paper mills, these examples of operations use either whole or shredded scrap tires for energy. This reuse keeps millions of tires from landfills and also helps reduce the need for fossil fuels. While burning tires releases gases and noxious substances, from an environmental position, the output is cleaner than that of many other fuel sources.
  • Construction: Just as scrap tires are being used in road asphalt, they are also being used in other construction projects. Use is becoming more widespread, with scrap tire rubber being an inexpensive, lightweight product used to fill underneath roads where bogs, clay or other weak soils that cause construction complications. Tire rubber is also beneficial in sound walls, bridge foundations and other home and community building projects such as patio decks, running tracks and the pliable black surface that is used in school playgrounds.