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All Round Radials or Winter Tires Studded Or Chains

By Lawrence U. Olson

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.

Wintertime driving conditions in many parts of the country call for special tires , sometimes chains to pull in snow and ice - as well as to stop in both a short distance safely. Without question, snow tires increase traction for both pulling and stopping on both ice and snow. There are two reasons at least for this - the deep groves and the much larger tyre footprint areas. On ice and packed snow this larger "footprint" often means much more than any differences in tread design and designs. That being said winter-time tire studs, although once very popular, are now relatively uncommon among seasonal drivers, due to their destructive effects on roads and highways and are not legal in many precincts. Check with your local highway department.

You may well have heard the click click click sound of studded snow tires emanating from a passing vehicle. Studded tires ones with tungsten , carbide or ceramic studs buried in the tyre treads perform well on packed snow or ice, almost as well as winter-time snow "chains" However due to the damage done to highways and roadways not all states allow the use of wintertime studs. At last count for the 2009 / 10 winter season fully 36 out of the 50 states allow these traction devices - within seasonal time of year , geographic with some provisos on modifications of the devices. Six states (Colorado, Kentucky, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Vermont, and Wyoming) allow virtually unrestricted use of studded tires on state roads and highways. Lastly there are seven states , mainly in warm southern climes, who distinctly prohibit their use. Think again if you are going to traverse the United States highway beltway system, from home in Northern or Edmonton Alberta escaping Jack Frost for a well earned Christmas break vacation in Florida or Texas, and driving safely over ice with studded tires. Take the time and expense to switch back to your all season or even summer set of radial tires yet you have nice discussion and highway traffic fine from a friendly state trooper just waiting there for you.

If there is one lesson in life its plan early. Most people whether its for their income tax , or automotive repair or maintenance wait till the very last minute. Its a case of putting out fires or management by crisis. You can bet when that on that very day of the cold snap , when the snowstorm / blizzard arrives that the wait for the CAA or AAA rescue tow truck will be hours and hours . On top of that just venture into the icy parking lot or service repair area of your local Canadian tire only to find that out the long waiting times involved for even an estimate for your vehicle. On top of that it does not take a genius to spot that with all the frost covered windows of frozen vehicle out there on the lot that you are really at the end of line when it comes to auto repair service. Spare yourself the inconvenience and delays that are unnecessary. Plan ahead , early for your winter tune up and to buy snow tires and winter time tyre chains long ahead of the first storm and the maddening rush.

In terms of tire chains the experts state that all considered that the welded lug types are the best type to purchase and choose if you do install and use the chains often. This can well be the case if you live in an area of the Rocky Mountains or are planning a ski trip to Banff , Lake Louise or Montana. Consider also the the overall convenience to motorists of chains involved for simple , simpler and easy to install alternate models, These models are a very good choice for the driving demands of many drivers and motorists that can easily and simply be installed without jacking up or moving your vehicle - be it truck, car or S.U.V..

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