Winter driving is defined in Northeast Ohio. We experience everything the season has to offer. From icy roads in Akron, Ohio to blinding snow drifts in Norton, Ohio; instructors could base driving courses on winter road conditions in Summit County, Ohio! And they’d be wise to impart the importance of tires on their students. Because as nationally recognized experts and the technicians at the Ford service center of Ganley Ford Barberton explain, tires are key to safe driving in winter.
Although tires are the only thing connecting vehicles to the roads they roll on, many motorists overlook their importance. As winter approaches, countless vehicle owners take the time to get tune-ups and have their oil changed. Some even get new wiper blades and replace washer fluid with tougher versions that won’t freeze. But far too many neglect to have their tires checked or replaced. And based on findings from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), this is a risky move.
NCBI is a branch of the US National Institutes for Health. The government-funded agency with a mission of uncovering new knowledge studied the effects of snowfalls on US traffic crashes over a 25-year period. While NCBI researchers revealed many things, their work confirmed the importance of tires to winter driving. And reduced tire adherence is the first negative effect of snowfalls named in their report.
When you consider how seemingly every winter driving tip is intended to help you stop sliding, skidding, spinning, or otherwise losing control, you’ll realize that how well you grip your steering wheel pales in comparison to how well your tires grip the road. The technicians at the Ford service center point out that tire tread is what enables a vehicle to stick to the road, if you will. And if you combine their input with the reduced tire adherence that NCBI researchers noted, you should see the importance of tires.
No? Well, review this short list of important winter driving tips. Surely the connection between tire tread and traction will be clear. And your commitment to your own safety as you travel through Akron, Norton, and other parts of Summit County may well lead you to the Ford service center at Ganley Ford Barberton.
Ways to Handle Common Winter Road Conditions
- Snow Traction – to ensure your tires can get a grip, you need at least 6/32-inch deep tread.
- Black Ice – test traction by applying the brake smoothly or gently turning the steering wheel.
- Rear Slides – to avoid, make sure your rear tires have as much tread as your front tires.
While some may debate what to do when find yourself on black ice, no one can dispute the connection between tread and traction. And therein lies the importance of tires when it comes to winter driving. If you’re uncertain of the depth of your tread or if your tires are fit for the fiercest of seasons, head to the Ford service center at Ganley Ford Barberton today. It’s conveniently located to drivers in Akron, Ohio and other parts of Summit County, Ohio, and it’s staffed by a team that can help you whether you drive a Ford or not. For more information, visit www.ganleyford.com or call 330.745.9081.
Ganley Ford Barberton
2835 Barber Road
Norton, Ohio 44203
330.745.9081
www.ganleyford.com