Prepared for Winter

Are you prepared for winter driving? What should you take with you this winter?

Be prepared by keeping these items handy in your vehicle: 

• Spare Winter Clothing & Boots
• Emergency Drinking Water/Dried Food
• Emergency Blanket (& extra sleeping bag)
• Flashlight w/ Batteries
• Weatherproof Emergency Flares/Cones
• Emergency Whistle w/lanyard
• Hand Warmers (Pair), Feet Warmers (Pair)
• "Call Police" banner
• Safety matches
• A supply of Emergency Candles
• Coffee Can - one for candles & on for melting snow
• First Aid Kit

Additional Tips:

• Many people have their cell phones. But do you keep a car charger for your phone in your vehicle at all times?
• Winter Traction on ice can be enhanced by putting kitty litter down on the ice in front of the tires - but avoid clay based kitty litters, as it will mix with snow/slush and cause mud. 
• A small shovel is helpful in case you have to dig yourself out, it doesn't have to be big but it needs to be sturdy enough not to break,
• Glow sticks can be a handy way to alert emergency vehicles. Tie a shoelace to the end and by swinging it around like a lasso, it is a very effective signal from the ground or the sky. 

Winter and Tire Differences

Often at this time of year we are asked “why isn’t an all season tire or even a four-season tire [with the snowflake symbol on the tire] good enough for winter?” The difference is in the type of rubber and the design of the tread. The most common comment we hear from someone after having winter tires is “why did I wait so long to get them?”

All season tires are really only 3 season tires at best. The tread is designed for long life; because of this the tire does not have the lugs needed for good snow traction. Also the rubber used in the tread becomes hard and less flexible as the temperature starts dropping below 7 degrees Celsius, making the tire slip on ice and snow.  

Four season tires are a compromise and winter traction is sacrificed to get longer life out of the tire. They are really all season tires with a slightly more flexible rubber compound and a tread pattern that works ok in snow. Unfortunately, the tread compound is designed for long life making it only a bit better than all season tires on ice.

Winter stud-less tires are the best for most winter driving; they will have a very flexible tread that grabs the road for the best traction through the winter. Some winter tires have provisions for studs. These tires generally have a blockier tread pattern that is great in snow but the tire does not flex as much as a stud-less winter tire; these tires rely more on the studs for the added ice traction.  

At Crestview Auto Service, we can help you find the winter tire that is right for you. We recommend booking in late September/early October. Remember to book ahead of time. Appointments can be made online at www.crestviewautoservice.caor by phone (306) 244-6522. We look forward to helping you be prepared for winter driving. 

#winter #tires #tread #cold #snow #ice

(*Note: The picture with the two cars depicts braking distance at a speed of 50 km/hr).

Honest-1 Auto Care on CBS 5 Charleston

Honest-1 Auto Care on CBS 5 Charleston

The segment featured Sherry Rector, Honest-1 Auto Care Owner, talking about how viewers can drive safely on icy roads. CBS 5 Charleston on Wednesday, February 11^th, 2014. In the segment Sherry talks about how to handle black ice while you’re driving on the roads. Sherry talks about tips the drivers can use if they run into problems out on the roads. The tips she offers include letting the car drive you by taking your foot off the gas and to not slam on your breaks. Furthermore, she talks about how you should steer into the direction that your car is headed and let your car take the lead if you run into black ice.

You can view the link here.

Honest-1 Auto Care on WSYX (ABC and FOX) Columbus, OH

Honest-1 Auto Care on WSYX (ABC and FOX) Columbus, OH

On Tuesday, January 28^th, 2014 WSYX Columbus, OH (ABC and FOX) featured Danni Diol, Honest-1 Auto Care Owner. In the segment Danni discusses the extreme cold weather and how car owners have had battery/starting issues along with tire, shocks, alignment damage due to potholes. January is typically a slow month for car repair shops, but the Honest-1 folks were able to mention that they have seen an uptick in car counts.

Or click here to see full video.