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Tire Options For Driving In Icy Conditions

In locations that receive a large amount of snow and ice, drivers need to compensate for the loss of traction they experience on the road. If ice covers the pavement, conventional treads offer little to no grip. That becomes a safety issue for the driver, his or her passengers, other motorists, and pedestrians.

Car tire technology has improved substantially over the past twenty years. Motorists now have a number of options at their disposal for driving safely when the roads are packed with snow or ice. In today’s article, we’ll explore the available options for your car and how they can help you navigate the streets in inclement weather.

Traditional Winter Wheels

In order to provide drivers with more traction, Bridgestone, BF Goodrich, and other manufacturers have developed tires specifically formulated to dig more deeply into snowy – or icy – surfaces. The interweaving patterns of the treads are designed to bite into the surface, giving you more control behind the steering wheel.

There is a second important factor which makes winter wheels different than conventional tires. The compounds used in the rubber give them more flexibility. Not only does that allow the tires to resist stiffening during cold temperatures, but it allows the rubber to grip the pavement better.

Studded Tires

Studded treads are outfitted with numerous metal studs that jut out of the rubber. They’re typically used when traditional winter wheels cannot provide sufficient traction and grip. For example, if you’re driving on roads that are covered in sleet, the special tread patterns and pliable compounds used in the rubber may not be enough. As you can imagine, metal studs can dig deep into the surface, providing additional grip for the driver.

The problem with the studs is that they can damage roads. In fact, several states either prohibit their use or limit the times during the year when drivers are allowed to put them on their cars. For example, the state of Washington currently lets their residents use them only between November 1 and March 31.

Chaining Up

Snow chains offer the highest level of traction for motorists who are driving on snowy or icy roads. They’re high-maintenance to put on, but can provide a level of steering control that is lacking with the other winter driving options. On front-wheel drive vehicles, the chains are normally only placed on the front tires. On four-wheel drive vehicles, they’re either placed on all four of them or they’re placed on the rear set.

Your choice of whether to use winter wheels, studded treads, or snow chains on your car will depend mainly upon the conditions in which you’re driving. The three options above are listed according to how much grip and traction they provide. A small sheet of snow will require a different solution than pavement covered by sleet. If you’re uncertain about which option you should use on your car, ask your mechanic for advice.

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Understanding How Different Auto Braking Systems Work

Reliable brakes are integral to the safe operation of any car, of course. They slow and stop your car by converting the kinetic energy of the rotating wheel into heat energy via friction. When your braking pedal is depressed, pads press against the drum or rotor, triggering the energy conversion. The main considerations with a vehicle’s braking system are the brake type and actuator mechanism.

Today, we’ll briefly discuss the operation of drum and disc brakes. I’ll describe how each system works to slow your vehicle and the individual components involved in the process.

Drum Brakes

Most vehicles that roll off the automaker’s factory floor are equipped with one of two types of braking assemblies: drum or disc. Each type offers inherent advantages over the other, but your car’s make and model will ultimately determine which type is used.

With drum assemblies, a drum that is attached to the wheel houses two semicircular shoes. When activated, the shoes press against the drum, slowing your car. Actuators sit between the two shoes at a specific edge; when triggered, they twist. This twisting motion forces the shoe against the drum. When the pedal is released, the shoes retract via a set of springs.

Depending on the configuration of the actuator, the drum structure may be labeled “single leading edge” or “double leading edge.” The term “leading edge” refers to the location in which the actuators are installed and therefore the point of drum contact. Single leading edges have one actuator while double leading edges have two for maximum contact.

Disc Brakes

Disc-based assemblies perform much better than their drum counterparts. As a result, they’re more likely to be found in sports cars and other high-performance automobiles. A disc brake system uses a caliper assembly that overlaps the rotor, a metal plate attached to the wheel. A caliper mechanism contains hydraulic cylinders. When it is activated, it presses pads against the rotor, thereby slowing your vehicle.

A rotor is not simply a solid plate that directly bolts to the wheel. In reality, floating rotors are used because the tolerance in a regular, one-piece assembly is very small. If the unit is off by as little as 0.07 mm, damage and large amounts of vibration can result.

Floating rotors rely upon float buttons to connect the carrier and main rotor; the carrier bolts directly to the wheel. These buttons allow a small amount of lateral movement, reducing warping and vibration.

Along with floating designs, rotors are also cross-drilled to improve performance. When pressure is applied, a gas layer can form between the pad and rotor surface, reducing performance. Cross-drilling removes this problem by providing an area for the trapped gas to escape.

Keeping Your Car’s Brakes In Good Condition

Most drivers will never need to know what I’ve just described. However, the more you understand about your car’s parts, the better prepared you’ll be when you visit your mechanic. The important thing is that you keep your vehicle’s brakes in good condition. If you notice squealing or a lack of pressure, have an auto technician take a look. Replacements may be a small investment, but your safety on the road may depend upon it.

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