OEReplacement News

Even a cautious, experienced winter driver with good tires can get into trouble, however, if the rest of the car isn’t up to the task. We already know snow tires are vital, but their effectiveness is dramatically reduced if they’re not also in good condition.

Tire inflation should be checked year-round. Proper tire pressure improves fuel economy and extends tire life dramatically, but in winter, it makes a difference in how well the tire grips the surface, whether that’s snow, ice or a cold road.

Tire wear is the next factor. A properly inflated tire will wear slower than an under- or over-inflated one, but alignment, camber, caster and other factors affect wear as well. Rotating tires–moving them from one corner of a vehicle to another–will to some extent ameliorate the effects of uneven tire wear.

Suspension parts, especially shocks and struts, should be in top condition for winter driving. They play a big role in keeping tires in contact with the road. They are a wear item and no matter how little a car is used, they will wear out in time. A new set of OE shocks or struts when it’s time for replacement is important for stopping ability and car control.

Speaking of stopping, brakes wear far faster in winter than in summer. Salt and continuous moisture take their toll. Even new brakes will develop a layer of rust after as little as a single day of sitting in snowy, wet conditions. If a brake job was approaching, winter will bring it on fast. In very salty conditions, seized calipers are not unusual, especially if a car is driven through salty slush and allowed to sit. Brake lines are vulnerable as well. Regular trips to the car wash will help, and slow down rust on body and chassis parts.

Heavy snow can even build up in and around wheels. This throws off wheel balance. Shaking or rumbling from snow packed into the wheels is not unusual, and sometimes it can become so severe it’s dangerous. Fortunately, it can usually be knocked out with a window scraper.


Filed under: Industry News by Josh Razgunas On: April 9th, 2010