Motorists Should Tread Carefully This Winter in Snow, Ice and Slush

AKRON, Ohio, Dec. 14, 2004 -- For many people, the winter season means a welcome opportunity to ski, skate, sled and slide. On the highway, however, the goal is maximum grip.

One of the best ways to improve winter traction in a vehicle this winter is to increase the contact points between the vehicle and the road surface. For many motorists, that means selecting new tires with improved tread grip.

In severe winter areas, motorists may opt for a seasonal changeover that employs true winter tires to combat the expected ice and snow. For most, however, the choice may come down to an all-season tire that features an aggressive enough tread to handle the occasional sloppy winter days.

Goodyear's line of winter tires, according to Bob Toth, marketing manager of Goodyear auto tires, is engineered to perform in cold temperatures, as well as in snow and slush. Another choice, the new Goodyear Assurance featuring TripleTred Technology, is not a winter tire, yet it carries many of the same characteristics. The TripleTred is a year-round product that doesn't have to be changed over on a seasonal basis, but it does feature an Ice Zone, which translates into more gripping power on icy or snow-covered roads. This zone is enhanced by the use of fiberglass fibers and volcanic sand in the rubber, which help to present microscopic pores that act as traction elements.

"The bottom line for consumers is knowing what level of winter they might face," said Toth. "Based on past experiences, do they feel their winter weather is moderate enough to choose a year-round tire? If they want the convenience of no seasonal tire changeovers, should they select a product that offers them the kind of performance and grip they need in any kind of weather?"

Whatever tire is chosen, Toth offers advice for motorists who will be faced with challenging driving conditions this winter:

   -- Match your driving speed to the current conditions.  If conditions are
      challenging due to snow, slush or ice-covered road surfaces, or
      reduced visibility, decrease your speed.  A slower driving speed
      allows more time for a necessary response.

   -- Additional factors to consider when adjusting speed are the condition
      of the vehicle, its tires and your driving abilities.  Always keep in
      mind the posted speed limits, and understand that those limits
      indicate the maximum speed when weather conditions are good.

   -- Plan ahead and try to anticipate potentially dangerous situations.
      When approaching a curve or potentially slick area of the road, use
      the brakes effectively.  The brakes should be applied only before a
      curve and on a straight section of the road.  Sometimes, taking your
      foot off the accelerator and allowing the vehicle to naturally slow
      without using the brakes is best.

   -- Be alert to other vehicles.  Maintain enough distance between your
      vehicle and the one ahead of you.  If someone else seems to be
      following too close to your vehicle, perhaps slow down to allow them
      to pass -- rather than speeding up to achieve a distance between
      vehicles.

   -- If visibility is poor, remember to use your lights.  This helps other
      drivers to see you when approaching or when following.  You should
      always turn on your lights when your windshield wipers are on.

   -- Set the vehicle cabin to a comfortable temperature.  This can be a
      challenge during winter when drivers and passengers may be wearing
      heavy coats in a vehicle, but it is imperative to be comfortable when
      driving.  Cabin comfort includes keeping the windows free of frost,
      ice and snow.

   -- Be as smooth as possible, avoiding sudden braking and steering
      responses.  Always signal early when turning or stopping, in order to
      alert approaching or following drivers.

   -- Avoid overconfident driving, and avoid overestimating the vehicle's
      capability simply because it is equipped with anti-lock brakes, four-
      wheel drive, traction control, winter tires or other devices.  Do not
      allow good judgment and smart driving to be overtaken by a false sense
      of security provided by vehicle technology.

   -- Before driving in inclement weather, be sure that your vehicle is
      properly maintained.  Make sure your windshield wipers work properly;
      keep the windshield washer reservoir full; have the correct level of
      antifreeze for heating and defrosting the vehicle; keep plenty of gas
      in the tank; consider extra weight in the trunk -- such as a bag of
      sand, blankets, flares and a shovel; and always use required safety
      devices such as seatbelts.

"Preparation -- of the vehicle and the driver -- is the key for winter driving," Toth said. "When it comes to driving on the changing road conditions, ranging from dry, wet, icy and snowy, an important factor to consider is the tires. It doesn't matter if it's a front-, rear- or four- wheel drive vehicle; it will perform better if the vehicle has good tires."