The American Automobile Association (AAA) says winter storms and bad weather that result in snow or ice-covered roads cause nearly 500,000 vehicle crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every year. Driving too fast, braking too hard, and swerving quickly has the potential to cause a loss of control. Tires play a big part in that equation, and factoring in the wrong tires for inclement weather or driving on tires with too much wear can equal disaster.
Tire companies are constantly working to improve winter tires to enhance driving safety, and tread, materials, shape, and design all play a role in the overall driving experience. We tested a variety of winter tires on slippery, snowy roads on a closed track at Bridgestone’s Winter Driving School in Colorado. In the process, we learned about what works (and doesn’t work) when the rubber hits the snow and ice.
Tread patterns and sipes
When it snows, choosing the right footwear is an important decision. Low-profile slip-on flats or low-tread loafers wouldn’t be a smart choice because they leave too much skin exposed to cold and wet. Plus, the probability of slipping on the ice increases exponentially. Rubber soles with large-pattern tread on winter boots makes more sense. Tires work in similar ways but incorporate specific technology and materials designed to keep thousands of pounds of metal (and its passengers) from skidding off the road.
If you’ve ever slid on the surface of slippery asphalt in your car, you know the alarming feeling of losing that control. During heavy rain, the tires on your car push the water forward, creating a wedge of liquid that can cause the tires to lose contact with the road; that’s called hydroplaning. The risk of hydroplaning increases in deeper water, and riding on tires with tread…
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