Car tyres do a magnificent job. Few would argue with this but there are those who seem to believe that their car’s tyres can perform miracles. Most people who’ve seen the consequences of this belief would argue with it. Now that winter is upon us with a vengeance, knowing what car tyres can and can’t do, particularly on snow and ice, becomes particularly helpful. Here are some basic facts to begin with…
* Car tyres, like many shoe soles, are made of materials that provide grip in most conditions. On snow, car tyres provide much-reduced grip and on ice, can offer practically no grip.
* Treating the road surface, with a mixture of salt and grit, enhances the available grip.
* This enhanced grip is nowhere near that provided by even a wet road surface.
* Should the treated surface re-freeze, the level of grip will decrease radically.
* Loss of grip equals loss of control.
Ok. For those who would argue that their car has anti-lock brakes and traction control, there are further facts. Electronic aids notwithstanding, a car (or a van, truck or whatever) can only obey the laws of physics. ABS, DSC and other driving aids help but like car tyres, they can’t perform miracles.
So, how do we deal with snow and ice? The short answer is very carefully but there are ways of driving in such conditions. Let’s take a look at the most useful…
* When setting off, you can lose traction. A car with furiously spinning wheels won’t be going anywhere except possibly downwards. Be subtle with the controls and in really bad conditions, try setting off in second gear.
* Should your car tyres insist on spinning, you may be able to progress by using wheel spin but only as a last resort. Turn the steering repeatedly from lock to lock and you might, just might, find a little traction.
* In adverse conditions, driving becomes very much a matter of the balance between grip and sliding. This is an immensely delicate balance that’s easily upset. Your fingertips and the seat of your pants give the best feedback about what’s happening at ground level.
* Despite all the theoretical talk, your car can only skid in three ways. In understeer, the front of the car loses grip and runs wide. In oversteer, the rear loses grip and tries to pass you. In a four-wheel slide or skid, all the wheels lose grip. If you’re skidding, you’re going too fast for the conditions.
* If the front wheels skid (understeer), reduce the amount of steering you have applied. In a rear wheel skid (oversteer), steer in the direction the tail of the car has taken. In all cases, four-wheel skid included, lift off the accelerator but avoid hard braking.
*If your ABS cuts in under braking, you may have a limited amount of steering control. Again don’t expect miracles.
* Where traction and grip are radically limited, stopping distances increase vastly. Never, on any account, follow a vehicle too closely and be aware that what’s behind you could have only a minimal chance of stopping. Should a vehicle be following too close, pull in and let it pass.
* Remember that even a treated surface can refreeze. Pay attention to your car’s ice warning and act on it. Black ice can remain in shadowed areas long after sunrise.
Above all, be realistic. Should conditions be dreadful, accept the fact and don’t travel. With the abovementioned driving aids, not to mention seatbelts and airbags, you’re likely to survive an accident. However, surviving the consequent insurance issues and the inconvenience of repairs can be a major hassle.
If in any doubt at all, you need answer one question, the one that posters carried during World War Two: Is your journey really necessary?
Merityre are a leading UK independent supplier of car tyres. Why not visit their website at www.merityre.co.uk and see where you can buy your next set of tyres.
