Lowering your Tire Pressure to gain traction in the snow is NOT a Good Idea

Lowering your tire pressure to gain traction in the snow is not a good idea

It makes sense at the beach, but not in the cold
Most people who have to drive in the snow on a daily basis have a tip or technique for making the trip safer or simpler, such as checking your windshield wiper fluid more frequently and carrying blankets and emergency supplies in your car. You may also have heard some tire advice, specifically that lowering your tire pressure can provide you better grip when driving in the snow.

According to a Consumer Reports article, some people who drive off-road, particularly on sandy beaches, drop their tire pressure to increase the surface area of their tires and keep them from sinking too deeply into the sand or mud. And, while it works in that environment (but not when you return to solid roads), it doesn't provide you with extra traction in the snow. Here's everything you need to know.

Maintain proper tire inflation

It's a good idea to maintain your tires completely inflated whether you're driving in the snow or during a heat wave. Driving in the snow without properly inflated tires, according to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CDOT), is a safety risk:

Reduced air pressure will not provide additional grip, and your tires may become significantly underinflated, impacting steering. Keep in mind that every 10 degrees reduction in temperature causes a one-pound per square inch loss in tire air pressure.

If that isn't compelling enough, CDOT claims that underinflated tires are "the leading cause of tire failure." As a result, it's especially crucial to check your tire pressure on a regular basis—at least once a month during the winter—and ensure that it's at the manufacturer's suggested level.

Finally, driving with underinflated tires might result in less vehicle control. "Lowering tire pressure may also compromise some braking and handling skills, as well as decreasing your overall fuel efficiency and increasing the chance of the tire detaching from the wheel," Consumer Reports warns.

#FlatTire #ShowRoad #UnderInflatedTire #TirePressure

SOURCE: lifehacker

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