Top Questions Answered By The Tire Specialists (NAPSA)—While it’s always a good time to make sure your vehicle is in good shape, it’s particularly important when bad weather and the busytravel season occur. Vehicle maintenance and preparedness are key for keeping you protected but it can be challenging to know where to start. To help, here are the answers to the most common winter driving questionsthat people ask. Q: What’s the most important thing to keep in mind whenit comesto winter driving? A: Make sure that you allow extra time and slow down. Whetheryou're cor- nering, stopping, accelerating or driving on straightaway, reducing speed is the key to safe winter driving. Tires have a big effect on whatthe car can do. Tires are your car's only point of contact with the road, and they influence how much con- trol you have while driving. Before you're onthe road, makesure you have properly inflated tires and adequate tread depth to help yourtires do their job—grip the road andstop safely. Q: How can drivers prepare for winter road trips? A: Plan ahead and winterize your vehicle. Take your car in for routine maintenance, including checking your tires. Before you get on the road, check the departmentof transportation’s website for road conditions.Listen to the radio for announcements aboutaccidents, road closures andtravel advisories. Also, let someone know yourroute in case an accident occurs, and you get stuck in an area with nocell service. Q: What type of tires should I get for my vehicle, snowtiresor all-weath- er tires? What’s the difference? A: The decision between studded and wintertires comes downto personal needs based on your commute and driving habits. Winter traction tires are specifically designed to providethe extra grip, braking and handling you'll need to confidently drive on slush and packed snow. Studdedtires offer additional trac- Proper maintenanceis important before you hit the road in rough weather. tion in more treacherous winter driving conditions, such as ice. Chains can be important, too—and are sometimes re- quired—for traction when you're traveling in the mountains or on icy roads. It is always recommendedthat you talk to a tire expert to help you make the best decision based on yourneed. Q: Whatshould I have in mycar in caseof an accident? A: A winter accident could leave you stuck on the side of the road in cold, wet weather. Packing your car with a few essentials will help keep you safe and ready for any unexpected detours. Store snacks, waterbottles, an ice scraper,flares, chains, a flashlight, blankets and a roadside safe- ty kit in your trunk. And always carry a cell phone. Many Les Schwabstores also offer emergency roadside assistance—if your vehicle breaks down,especially due to tire- or wheel-related issues, they'll do everything they can to help get you back on theroad. ‘Thetire experts at Les Schwab Tire Centers can help ensure your vehicle is winter ready. Before you hit the road, they'll check yourtires’ air pressure and tread depth and do a visual alignment to ensure the tires are wearing evenly. They'll also check your brakes, shocks and battery, all free as part of their pre-trip safety check. They have a full inventory ofwinter traction and studded tires, chains and other devices to meet your needs. To find a store nearby, visit www.lesschwab.com/about/storelocator. Safe travels.
