Stay on the road with the right tires

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Joseph Kroll
  • 88th Air Base Wing Safety Office
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio. --  Crash rates spike during the October through February time frame, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2007, 738,000 crashes occurred in rain, sleet or snow.

Most resulted in costly property damage, and, on average, one in three involved an injury or fatality.

With the right tires and a little common sense while driving in foul conditions, winter driving doesn't have to be a "white knuckle" experience. 

How to to tell if you need to replace tires

To know whether the tread on your tires is within a "safe" limit, place a penny into your tire's tread grooves. Check the penny head in several treads across the tire: If part of Lincoln's head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 1/16th inch of tread depth remaining.

This does not automatically mean your tires are safe. It just means that your tread depth should not be a point of concern.  

Why is this important? You need more tread depth in snow because your tires must compress the snow in their grooves and release it as they roll. If there isn't enough tread depth, the "bites" of snow your tires can take on each revolution will be so small that your traction will be reduced.

To measure this amount, place a penny into several tread grooves across the tire. If the top of the Lincoln Memorial is always covered by the tread, you have more than ›/›› inch of tread depth remaining. All measurements taken with a penny may not be 100 percent accurate, so if you are still concerned about your tires readiness for winter driving, have your tires inspected by a professional.  

Keep the pressure up

Tires don't carry the weight of your vehicle, the air inside them does. For every 10-degree drop in temperature, tires lose 1 psi of air pressure.

A tire filled to 32 psi at 70 degrees will have only 28 psi at 30 degrees. Underinflated   tires offer less traction, can reduce fuel mileage, can wear out prematurely, and, most importantly suffer unnoticeable and irreparable damage that compromises their performance.

Check tire pressures monthly with a quality air pressure gauge. Fill them to the vehicle manufacturer specifications listed in your manual or inside your vehicle's doorjamb.

Use of chains, studded tires and other devices

Ohio law generally refers to tire chains and cables as studded tires and limits their use to certain periods and weather conditions. Ohio Revised Code 5589.081 B(1) states that no vehicle other than an Ohio public safety vehicle or school bus can use studded tires before Nov. 1 and after April 15.

Drivers can use studded tires in areas with snow or ice on the streets. Violations of Ohio's tire chain laws is a minor misdemeanor, according to Ohio Revised Code section 5589.99 (b). Those convicted of minor misdemeanors in Ohio generally pay a fine of up to $150.