This is why vehicles are slipping on icy roads! If you want to do snow driving, then install these tires immediately.
Recently, many videos are coming out of vehicles slipping due to snowfall on the mountains. Roads became extremely slippery after the latest snowfall in Manali, Himachal Pradesh. A viral video showed that the car lost its balance on the layer of snow and it slowly started sliding towards the ditch. A person tried to stop the car, but the slippage was so much that even he could not stop it.
Similarly, in another video, the car slipped on ice and collided with another vehicle, while the driver managed to escape. Such incidents are becoming common in areas like Manali and Shimla, where tourists go out to see snow without preparation and the roads get covered with snow. In some cases, cars fell into ditches, drivers were injured and tourists were stuck in traffic for hours.
Similar videos are going viral on social media in Uttarakhand and Himachal, where roads were closed and vehicles got stuck due to heavy snowfall. These videos are warning that driving in the mountains without proper tires and caution can prove fatal. If you also want to go to the mountains to enjoy the snow in the coming days, then definitely know how the tires should be better during snow driving.
This tire is best for snow driving
The best tire choice when driving in snow is Winter Tires or Snow Tires. These tires are specially designed for cold temperatures (below 7°C) and icy roads. Their rubber compound is soft, which does not harden in the cold, and the tread pattern is deep and full of sipes (small cuts), which provide better grip on snow.
Regular all-season tires or all-weather tires do not perform well in snow because their rubber hardens in the cold and reduces traction. Good winter tires remain effective down to -30°C, while all-season tires start losing grip below +4°C.
Snow chains also come in handy
If you have to go to areas with heavy snowfall, then use of snow chains may also be necessary. Especially when there is a thick layer of snow or black ice on the road (thin, transparent ice that is not visible but is very slippery). However, for everyday driving, winter tires are considered better than chains, as they are more comfortable, safer and provide consistent traction. Chains can damage tires and speed has to be limited.
Tips for safe driving in snow
- Check Tire: Install winter tires or at least use M+S (Mud and Snow) rated tires. The tread depth of the tire should be at least 4-5 mm.
- Keep speed low: Drive at 50% less speed than normal. Do not press the brake or accelerator suddenly.
- Braking Technique: In a vehicle with ABS, press the brakes slowly. In a vehicle without ABS, keep doing pump braking (press and release repeatedly).
- Steering Smooth: If slip occurs, turn the steering in the direction of the slip, then control gently.
- Maintain distance: Keep double-three times the distance from the vehicle in front, because the stopping distance increases 3-10 times in snow.
