Best Young Drivers Insurance

Wintertime Auto Maintenance Schedules - Snow Tires

It amazes many who live in warmer climes that those up north regularly as a matter of course as a vehicle owner have to get their “car ready for winter”. Many think its simply a matter of checking your antifreeze coolant levels in their radiators , making sure that that windshield washer antifreeze is good for 40 below zero , that their batteries hold a good charge ready to start their vehicles on the coldest January Northern Alberta night and lastly that their interior heaters work “just right”. Few think of their tires when it comes to the pre-winter seasonal tune ups at their local garage or auto dealership.

Some people and authorities will hold that all season year round radial tires are “just fine”. Others will say not and that you need a distinct set of tires for the winter-time season , these are referred to as “Snow Tires”. To the greatest extent it depends on what geographic areas that you live in and traverse, your climate and your driving habits and trips. You may have roadside assistance offered as part of a package from your new or used car dealer that you purchased your auto , tires or battery from , but why take the chance of inconvenience and delay ?

Relative stopping distances on ice depend somewhat on temperatures. On glare ice near freezing, stopping distances may be up to 10 times farther than on dry pavement. Snow tires under similar conditions will cut the distance to only eight or nine times the dry pavement distance to stop.

In terms of tire” studs” as mentioned earlier that due to their destructive affect on highways and roads many locales do not allow the use of studs or “studded wintertime tires” on their roadways. Note though that if allowed in your driving areas - that on both packed snow and ice these devices work very well at reducing stopping distances.

Lastly what about tire chains? Not every driver knows how or wants to under their vehicle to put them on. If there is one simple and practical point it can be said about tire winter time chains is that when buying chains purchase them early - way ahead of the winter time driving seasons. Pleasant and safe driving.

Wintertime Dodge Ram Truck Winter Tires Studs Chains Fort Mc Murray and Wpg Used Auto Info

Different Types Of Automotive Tires: Treading Safe

For years now, tires have been shock absorbers while still keeping wheels in contact with the road. The first tires were bands of metal that fit around wooden wheels. Today we have so many choices when it comes to picking the right automotive tires for your vehicle. Make sure you know what deals you are getting out of those wheels depending on where you live, how often you use your vehicle and the weather conditions in your area. Different types of tires are good for different vehicles and situations.

All season tires: You don’t need to change these tires based on the changes in the climate. With complicated tire patterns, they are made to last longer even through mild winters. You get all season versatility with these tires with light snow traction, not to mention excellent all round traction. These are the best bet if you use your car everyday and live in a place that doesn’t have extreme climates.

Summer tires: Use these if you enjoy long summers and mild winters with no snowfall. These tires have block-shaped tread patters that make for firm contact on both dry and wet roads. If you want to use summer tires on roads in the snowfall, be careful because the cold snow could affect the friction between the wheel and the road and hence affect performance.

Winter tires: With heavily striped and deep grooved tread patterns for good driving control, traction and breaking, these tires are made for roads covered in snow and ice. Tread rubber is added to these tires to increase friction between the road and the tire as well as to provide flexibility in the cold.

All terrain tires: These tires are made for all kinds of different driving surfaces. Wide spaced tread patterns shake off any mud or sand accumulated while driving off the road. The tires are extremely resistant against puncture thanks to stiffer sidewalls that make them the perfect tires for SUVs and 4-wheel drive vehicles.

High performance tires: Made for sporty cars, the soft rubber on these tires ensure high speeds, improved traction, and extra responsive handling.

Be sure to check with your mechanic against all these factors before you either replace old tires or have to pick new automotive tires. Choosing the right tires will ensure that they last long no matter what conditions they are exposed to.

Check Your Vehicle’s Tire Pressures With A Digital Tire Pressure Gauge

Tire pressure gauges are an important tool used in . These diagnostic tools let you know how much air pressure is sitting in the tire. The air pressure in the tire is of the utmost importance because any deficiency or overage of air, inside the rubber, can result in a car accident.

Inefficient air pressure, or too much in a vehicle’s tire, can result in the loss of control for the driver. When the tires are low, the car will jerk to the side having more pressure. On the other side of the coin, overfilling a tire can result in a drag of the automobile’s steering to the side that has less pressure. With this issue, it is extremely vital to make sure the tire is filled to its specified PSI (pressure per square inch), and the exact pressure for the four tires. For example, if you are filling the rubbers 5 PSI, then repeat for each of the four tires.

Not only is it bad to have insufficient pressure or too much pressure, it is just as harmful when you are checking the tire’s air pressure. When gauging the air inside a tire, follow the steps below:

1. Read the manufacturer’s listed PSI you must pump the tires to. This listing is typically written on the side wall of the tire. It is safe to inflate the tires a maximum of5 PSI less than what is suggested. However, it is not suggested to pump them any more than what is listed. The typical automobile’s tires almost all take about 35 PSI. Though, to reduce the risk of being injured, it is suggested that you read the tire to make sure.

2. Turn away from the tire while fitting the gauge to the air stem on the tire. Hold the tool to the stem of the tire. Move it until you do not hear any air escaping. Look at the gauge and record your findings.

3. If the gauge shows 0 PSI, then it means you are in desperate need of air. If this happens, fill the tire(s) until the maximum PSI.

4. Read the pressure after the fill with the gauge. It should read some level of PSI once inflated passed about 10 PSI.

5. Then, fill and stop when reaching the maximum PSI required for the tire. Again, you do not want to go over the maximum specified PSI as designated by the tire manufacturer.

Not following the above list when measuring the pressure with a gauge can be very harmful. If a tire is inflated past the recommended PSI, it can pop, sending pieces of tire and metal at the speed of a bullet. Most tires today are fabricated with steel belts to bend the rubber together. This steel can become a lethal weapon that can injure you if you are not careful. There have actually been deaths from over inflating car tires.Ensure you do not risk injury by remembering to be safe.

Check Your Vehicle’s Tire Pressures With A Digital Tire Gauge

Tire pressure gauges are an important tool used in checking air pressure in an automobile. These significant tools let you know how much air pressure is present in a tire. The air pressure in the tire is very crucial for any missing air or overage of air, in them, can cause your car to go out of control.

Inadequate air pressure, or too much in a vehicle’s tire, can result in the loss of control for the driver. When air is low, the car or truck will lean to the side that has more tire pressure. On the other side of the coin, overfilling a tire can create a drag of the automobile’s steering to the side with less air. With this being said, it is extremely vital to check to see the tire is filled to its specified PSI (pressure per square inch), and an equal PSI for each four tires. So, if you are filling your tires 5 PSI, then repeat for each of the four tires.

Not only is it bad to have insufficient pressure or a lot of pressure, its equally as hazardous when filling the tire pressure. When gauging the air inside a tire, you should do the following:

1. Check the manufacturer’s specification for the PSI you should fill the tires to. The specification is usually on the outside surface of the tire. It is safe to inflate the tires down to5 PSI below the suggestion. However, it is not suggested to inflate them any more than the specified PSI. Typical car tires almost all take approximately 35 PSI. However, it is better safe then sorry so its best to check.

2. Aim your face away from the tire prior to checking the level of air. Hold the tool to the nozzle of the tire. Steady it and center it until there is no spare air leaving the tire. Look at the gauge and read the results.

3. If the gauge shows 0 PSI, then it should you are in desperate need of air. If this is the case, inflate up to the maximum PSI.

4. Read the pressure again with the gauge. It should give an accurate reading once inflated passed about 10 PSI.

5. Then, fill until you achieve the maximum PSI suggested. Again, you do not want to go over the maximum specified PSI as calculated by the tire manufacturer.

Failing to follow the above steps when measuring the pressure with a gauge can be very harmful. If a tire is overinflated, it can explode, sending chunks of the metal belt directly into your face. Most tires today are fabricated with steel belts to tighten the rubber together. This stuff can turn into flying razor blades that can injure you if you are not careful. There have actually been deaths from over inflating automobile tires.You can seriously reduce the risk injury by remembering to be safe.