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subject: Winter Tire Traction [print this page]

Traditionally, autumn is when most car owners replace their tires. While it may be August with

temperatures in the upper eighties, now is a good time to carefully examine your cars tires and

make plans to replace them. Measure the tread depth with a gauge available at your local auto

parts store. If the tread depth is 5/32 or less, replace them. If you see any nicks, cuts, cracks, or

punctures, replace them. The condition of a tire becomes critical in terms of traction when roads

become slippery with slush, snow, and ice.

Traction is the tire maintaining contact with the road surface without slipping. At the point where

the tire makes contact with the road, the weight of the vehicle causes the tire to flex and actually

grip the road surface. This is what keeps the car from skidding when braking and cornering.

However, if the tread is worn, this gripping action is lost. This will cause the vehicle to lose

traction and skid out of control even in dry conditions.

Another function of the tire tread is to remove water and slush from the contact area of the road

surface. The grooves in the tread channel water away from the contact area and allow the tire to

maintain traction. If the tread is too worn to remove the water, a layer builds between the tire and

the road. The tire then loses traction causing a dangerous condition known as hydroplaning. In a

hydroplane situation the driver totally loses control of the vehicle.

In conditions where snow is on the road surface, modern, all-season tire tread is designed to maintain

traction. Small grooves known as sipes are molded into the tread block. These provide many

edges which bite into and grip the snow. While it is advisable to drive slowly and carefully, a

good all-season radial tread should sustain traction where several inches of snow are present.

However, tread worn to less than 5/32 will not provide the traction needed to travel in snowy

conditions.

In severe, icy conditions, consider using a tire especially built for winter driving. Traditionally

known as a snow car tire
, these tires utilize a softer rubber compound to mold the tread. The tread blocks have

many sipes in a saw-tooth design. These features provide better traction on an icy surface than

standard all-season tread. However, these tires should only be used in bad weather months. In

normal conditions the soft tread will wear quickly.

Winter months present many challenges to the commuter. Good tires may be the only thing

between you and being stuck in a ditch or a serious crash. Check your cars tires today and drive

with confidence.

by: Aprillove

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