Driving in winter can be very challenging, especially if you’re located in a colder part of the world – the ice and the snow pose a serious danger to any driver if they don’t have the right tires.
Investing some time to find the winter tires that suit you best is a smart thing to do, but don’t be fooled by the myths about that type of tire. These are actually fairly common, so knowing what they claim and where they’re wrong can improve your safety on the road dramatically.
If you’re not familiar with them, here are the most common winter tire myths you need to know about!
All-season tires are just as good
Many people think that the fact that they have tires for all seasons is enough or equally good as equipping winter tires. That’s just not true.
The thing with all-season tires is that they are somewhere between summer and winter tires, combining the features of the two, but not surpassing them in extreme conditions. Sure, an all-season tire will behave better in summer, but during winter, a genuine winter tire will provide you with much more grip.
Head to your nearest Jack Williams Tire shop to find the tires you need.
High-tech all-wheel-drive cars don’t need them
No matter how advanced (or expensive) your car is and how many special systems it has installed, if it doesn’t have good tires, you can easily find yourself in trouble.
We once again come back to the grip here – winter tires simply have a better grip, and no amount of power from your 4WD, anti-lock brakes, and electronic stability can help you if your car is not stable on its wheels. Winter tires are the best choice for that.
I just need two tires
You may be inclined to think that you only need two winter tires if you don’t have a 4WD car. That is also incorrect.
Different pairs of tires mean that different parts of your car will behave differently on the road. You can see why this could be a serious problem, not just for you, but for other drivers, too.
Imagine the situation in which you’re turning and the front part of your car sticks to the road, while the rear just slides away. That’s a recipe for a crash right there. Make sure you have the same tires on all wheels at all times.
Slow driving will keep me safe
Driving slower when the road conditions are bad is always a good idea, but that doesn’t mean you should slow down to a crawl nor does it mean it’s a good substitute for winter tires.
There are other people on the road, and you may find yourself in a situation when you need to brake suddenly or turn quickly. The grip winter tires provide in such moments during winter can be the difference between hitting something and avoiding the accident altogether.