A Motorist's Guide — How to Prepare Your Car for Winter

Driving in winter is a challenging activity, so it's worth thinking about your car in advance. Always remember that at this time of year roads become covered with a layer of ice, and you should not accelerate; instead, calmly drive to your destination — this is not a pursuit race or a betting game. To improve the wheels' grip on the road, you need to fit winter tires. But which tires should you choose and what do you need to know to avoid making a mistake? This issue needs to be understood.

First, you need to determine which roads you will predominantly be driving on. When there's black ice on the highway, you should use studded tires. Studs are usually made of metal (single-flanged or double-flanged) or plastic. Therefore, each type of tire should be chosen depending on the model and the manufacturer's recommendations. A completely different tactic is required when the road is covered with a slushy mixture of snow and salt. It promotes rolling better, and braking in such slush is much easier. Moreover, non-studded tires improve your vehicle's driving characteristics and braking ability. In many European countries studded tires are prohibited — keep this in mind if you plan to travel abroad.

One more condition: if you do install winter tires, bear in mind that all tires should be the same. Small differences in specifications can lead to unpredictable behavior of your vehicle. This is especially dangerous during the winter period. Be careful! Water in the tire treads can freeze after a long period of standing. This is critical for driving, so it is not recommended to accelerate right away. Let the tire warm up. Be especially careful when rotating studded tires. It is better if the direction of rotation does not change. Depending on which way the wheel has been turning, the studs can tilt to one side — right or left — during use.

And of course everyone knows that tires require care, both summer and winter ones, but the latter demand more attentive treatment. Regular pressure checks will help avoid premature wear, since tires quickly react to pressure deviations.