Category Archives: Winter Tires

The Salt Assault

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Dear Tracy,

In my area there has been some significant snow fall and ice accumulation lately and I have seen the salt trucks out in full force. While I appreciate the safer roads, I am worried about the affect the salt will have on my tires. Is there any particular maintenance or protective measures I should be taking to preserve my tires during winter driving?

Sarah B.

Dear Sarah,

Salt provides an inexpensive and fast way to deal with snow and ice problems on driveways and roadways because salt lowers the freezing/melting point of water. Unfortunately the affects of salt can be brutal on vehicles, asphalt, and roads, as well as your leather footwear. But as long as you have good winter tires that are in decent shape, with a good amount of tread, you should not have to worry about salt damaging your tires.  Your wheels are more likely to suffer damage as a result of road salt. The metal surfaces of your vehicle are most susceptible to salt damage. Salt can eventually lead to rust occurring on the body and underside areas of your vehicle. The good news is that the process of salt leading to rust takes time. Especially since the coatings and paint finishes used today do a much better job of providing protection. If you take your vehicle in for regular washings during the winter months you should have no problems. How frequently you need to run through the car wash will depend on how much salt and road sludge you encounter. Because salt is especially hard on chrome, if you have really expensive wheels, it may be worth swapping them out it the winter months to make sure they are shining brightly for your summer driving. Lastly, make it part of your fall routine to wax your vehicle. This extra protection will make your winter washes more effective.

Are All Season Tires Really All Season?

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Dear Tracy,

I recently moved from Florida to Kentucky. This will be the first winter that I will be experiencing driving in ice and snow. I am wondering if I need to get a set of snow or winter tires for the coming months. My car currently has a new set of all season tires installed – doesn’t that mean these tires are appropriate for driving in all seasons?

Sophia L.

Dear Sophia,

In moving from the sunshine state to bluegrass-country, you are undoubtedly in Winter Drivingfor a very different driving experience this winter! The mild weather you experienced in Florida probably never gave you the opportunity to navigate ice or snow covered roadways. Kentucky will most likely give you that chance on many occasions this winter.

Even though it would seem that all season tires should be suitable for driving in all seasons, they are not appropriate for driving in all types of weather conditions. While all season tires are designed to provide the best ride and comfort in a variety of temperatures, winter tires have specific features, developed for cold, snow, and ice. One basic difference in winter tires is that the rubber used in these tires is developed to grip better in low temperatures. Winter tires also feature small tread blocks and siping, which means that the treads are cut specifically for better traction and to prevent hydroplaning. Since the rubber used in winter tires is softer, it does wear more quickly, so winter tires may need to be every three or four seasons. It will be important to switch back to your all season tires as soon as spring returns.

It is definitely a good idea to invest in a good set of winter tires, especially if you are in a rural part of Kentucky that may not get roads treated as quickly as more populated areas. It is also important for safe winter driving to keep your tire pressure at the recommended levels.

Winter Driving – Keep the Pressure On

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Dear Tracy,

Now that fall is here, I am beginning to worry about another season of winter driving.  I have heard that if you reduce the pressure in your tires you will have better traction on snow and ice. Is this true? Sliding on the ice really scares me – especially on all the hills around my home!

Olivia D.

Dear Olivia,

I understand – driving in winter weather has a chilling effect on my confidence, too. But, you should not reduce tire pressure to increase traction on snow or ice, mainly because it does not work. In fact, underinflated tires cause the engine to work harder, due to increased rolling resistance. Not enough tire pressure also affects the steering and handling of your vehicle. Under inflation is the leading cause of tire failure because it results in excessive tire stress, irregular wear, and loss of control.

There are plenty of other ways to prepare for driving in winter weather.  Install a set of quality winter tires before the first storm hits. You can also use the changing seasons as a reminder to take care of routine tire maintenance. Being prepared for winter weather will help you anticipate and avoid dangerous circumstances so you can maintain control and remain safe on the road.

Once your winter tires are installed, here are a few safe winter driving reminders:

  • First and foremost, always drive a little slower during winter conditions.
  • It always take longer to stop a vehicle on ice and snow, so double the anticipated stopping distance when braking anytime conditions are not dry.
  • Remember that a four-wheel drive vehicle does not have better braking ability than a two-wheel drive vehicle, so don’t expect an SUV to stop faster than a sedan.
  • In order to gain all of the handling and traction benefits of winter tires you need to install four of them. This assures all tires have the same grip capabilities.

What is Tire Siping?

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Dear Tracy,

A friend recently mentioned that he was going to be taking his car in this fall for tire siping. He said that siping improves traction and tire performance, especially for driving on snow and ice. Can you tell me what exactly tire siping is, and whether or not this is something I should do?

-John C.

Dear John,

Siping refers to the process of cutting slices across the tire tread to improve traction. The idea is that the slice opens up on the surface of the road, grabbing the road and dispersing water that may be on its surface. To understand siping a little better, it is helpful to know the history behind this concept.

Siping is said to have been invented in the early 20’s by John Sipe, a slaughterhouse employee who had problems with his shoes slipping on the wet floor. He discovered that by cutting groves into the rubber sole, he could greatly improve the traction of his shoes. Since Mr. Sipe had the foresight to patent his idea, the concept has been since known as “siping.” In the 1950’s, tire manufacturers began employing this concept in tire tread designs, and today we see specialized siping patterns used for a variety of tire types. This short Goodyear video shows an example of a sophisticated self-locking siping design.

To your question of whether or not to have your tires modified with additional siping, there are varying opinions on the subject, as you may have guessed. Advocates of tire siping maintain that post-manufacture siping, or micro-siping, offers real performance and safety benefits. Tire siping machines are available in a variety of configurations for after-market tire modification. On the opposing side, Consumer Reports did a test concerning tire siping benefits. While they did report modest performance gains, they pointed out that this often costly modification could result in the voiding of your tread-wear warranty.

John, regarding siping your tires, your best bet will be to consult your tire dealer who knows the type, condition, and age of your tires. It might make more sense to purchase a quality set of winter tires, which have been designed and manufactured to incorporate siping features and benefits.