First, think
about your tires. Are they rated as
all-season tires? You might think
about investing in winter tires
(formerly called dedicated snow
tires) if you live in a snowy area.
Remember, it is important to see
your tire dealer for proper
installation of winter tires on your
vehicle.
Are they
properly inflated? The answer may
well be "no," because as the
temperature outside drops, the air
inside a tire contracts and the
pressure drops - one or two pounds
for every ten- degree drop. Contrary
to common belief, under inflation
does not give tires better traction
in the snow, it only makes them more
vulnerable to damage. Winter or
summer, your tire's worst enemy is
under inflation. Of course, you
should check your tires when the
weather turns cold, and bring them
up to correct pressure.
Second,
remember that no matter what kind of
vehicle you drive, you still are
driving on only four tires, just
like everyone else. Four-wheel drive
may help you go better in the snow,
but it won't help you stop better,
or keep you from skidding. Don't let
your four-by-four make you
overconfident!
Third, let
your tires do the job they are
designed for. They can keep you out
of trouble if you use them
correctly:
-
Avoid
sudden movements of the car.
Accelerate gently. Turn
gradually. Easy on the brakes
when stopping. Those are ways to
let the tread on your tires
maintain good traction. Spinning
or sliding tire means your
vehicle is out of control.
-
If you do
go into a skid, and your car has
an anti-lock braking system
(ABS), apply steady pressure to
the brakes and turn in the
direction of the skid. Don't
pump the brakes.
If you get
stuck in the snow, spinning your
tires too fast can overheat them to
the point where they will explode
and cause injury. Rocking your
vehicle gently back and forth is the
correct way to get out of a problem.
If your vehicle has ABS brakes,
follow the instructions in the
owner's manual.
