As winter sets in, the risks of driving in snowy and icy conditions are high. Whether you live in a region prone to heavy snowfall or encounter occasional winter weather, the importance of ensuring that your vehicle is prepared for such conditions cannot be overstated. A key factor in safe winter driving is the quality of your tires. Tires, often overlooked until they fail, are the critical point of contact between your vehicle and the road. In winter, they become even more crucial for safety, and the right tires can mean the difference between staying on the road or sliding into a ditch.
Recent Snowfall and the Thanksgiving Weekend Debacle
This year, many drivers got a rude awakening over the Thanksgiving holiday when a clipper snowstorm hit the I-70 corridor. What should have been a routine trip turned into a series of harrowing accidents, with lots of drivers finding themselves stuck or stranded after sliding off the road. The snowfall was minimum, but it wasn’t snow and ice that caused the problem—it was the tires.
Many drivers had worn-out tires with minimal tread depth, which significantly decreased their ability to grip the road. When you don’t have enough tread, snow, ice, and slush can create a slick, treacherous surface that makes it almost impossible to maintain control of your vehicle. This is especially true on highways like I-70, where high speeds, abrupt changes in terrain, and heavy traffic combine to make driving in winter conditions particularly hazardous.
In fact, countless vehicles ended up in ditches simply because their tires couldn’t provide the necessary traction. With tire tread depths below the recommended levels, many drivers found themselves helpless in the face of the winter storm, leading to dangerous situations and long delays.
The Dangers of Driving with Poor Tires in Winter
Winter driving can be treacherous, and poor tires only add to the hazards. The most important factor in maintaining control over your vehicle in winter is tire traction. When your tires are worn down, their ability to channel snow, water, and slush away from the contact patch (the part of the tire that touches the road) diminishes drastically. The result is reduced grip, which increases your chances of skidding, hydroplaning, and losing control of your car.
Here’s why winter conditions make poor tires even more dangerous:
- Reduced Traction on Snow and Ice: Tires with worn tread can’t grip the slick surfaces of snow and ice, which increases your likelihood of slipping and sliding.
- Longer Stopping Distances: Worn tires will increase your stopping distance, making it harder to brake quickly if you need to stop for an obstacle or red light. This delay could prove fatal, especially in icy conditions.
- Hydroplaning Risk: Even a small layer of water on the road can lead to hydroplaning when your tires lack sufficient tread depth. If this happens, your tires will lose contact with the road surface, leaving you with no control over the vehicle.
- Increased Wear and Tear on Other Vehicle Components: Poor tires can put added stress on your car’s suspension and steering systems, leading to more expensive repairs down the road.
- Overall Safety Concerns: When tires fail in winter conditions, the results are often disastrous—lost time, accidents, or worse. It’s not just your safety at risk; poor tires put everyone else on the road in danger too.
The Importance of Tire Tread Depth
When it comes to winter driving, tread depth is one of the most important factors. Tires are designed with grooves and channels that help move water and snow away from the contact patch, keeping the tire in touch with the road. As tires wear down, these channels become shallow, reducing their ability to grip the road.
The general recommendation is to replace tires when tread depth falls below 4/32 of an inch. At Hillside Auto Repair, we measure tire tread depth for you and advise you on whether your tires are still safe for winter driving. If your tires are worn and near the end of their lifespan, we’ll make sure to help you find the best replacements for your vehicle’s needs.
How Hillside Auto Repair Can Help You Stay Safe
At Hillside Auto Repair, we understand that keeping your vehicle safe on winter roads is a top priority. That's why we offer a 35-point inspection with every service, including a thorough check of your tire tread depth. Our expert technicians can quickly assess whether your tires are up to par or if it's time to invest in a new set that will keep you safe during the winter months.
Our tire services aren’t limited to tread inspections. We also offer tire balancing, rotation, and alignment services, all of which help ensure that your tires wear evenly and last longer. A full set of well-maintained tires can drastically improve your ability to drive safely in winter conditions, making it easier to navigate icy roads, snowy hills, and rain-soaked highways.
We also recommend switching to winter tires when snow and ice are forecasted. Winter tires are designed with deeper treads and softer rubber compounds that perform much better in cold, snowy conditions compared to all-season tires. Even if you’re not in the market for winter tires, having your current tires in optimal condition is critical for avoiding the potential dangers of winter driving.