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Tires and ice: Winter driving challenges

Early winter storms and temperatures that have bounced from sub-freezing to above normal have alerted us to some of the challenges of winter driving. This week in the New York area the sun was brilliant and it was mild enough to walk outside without a coat.

Last week the thermometer was down in the low teens. That 50-degree Fahrenheit difference doesn�t just pose a wardrobe dilemma, it may be the reason your car ends up in a ditch instead of staying safely on the road. Because there�s nothing tempting about checking your tire pressure when the cold is biting and the pavement icy, you may have put it off for months. Bad idea. Tires lose about one pound per square inch (psi) of pressure for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit the temperature drops. (And the reverse is true when the mercury rises.) So the change in temperature from last week to this may mean your tires could be under inflated by five psi�more if they weren�t properly inflated properly to begin with. Tires that aren�t inflated to the right pressure can lower fuel economy, wear out faster, and handle sluggishly. Worst of all, they may fail. So don�t take it for granted that your tires are safe; check them with an accurate gauge and inflate them to the pressure listed on your car door placard, in the owner�s manual, or in the glove box. (The number on the sidewall of the tire is the maximum to which it should be inflated; stick with the automaker�s recommendation for your particular car.) Our experts advise checking tires at least monthly when temperatures are typical of the season, and again after a big rise or drop. Take the pressure when the tires have been sitting for at least three hours, since tires that have just been driven will have a slightly elevated pressure. If you drive a car with performance summer tires, you may also find that the cold weather has made them more like wagon wheels. Summer tires that grip just fine when it�s, well, summer, are not meant for freezing weather. In cold conditions, they can become stiff and lose their grip on the road, even when snow and ice aren�t a factor. Switch to all-season or winter tires and save the summer tires for warm weather. Ice follies After snow storms earlier this winter led to a flurry of accidents on Connecticut roads, the state announced it would start ticketing drivers who failed to clear the snow and ice from the roofs of their cars or trucks. Flying ice and snow may do no harm to the driver of the blanketed vehicle, but it can be incredibly dangerous to others. Connecticut�s move came after a woman and her two-year-old child were hurt when ice flew off another car and shattered their windshield. The AAA says that most states have laws that allow police to ticket drivers of cars covered with ice or snow, even if the law doesn�t spell that hazard out. But there�s no question that it�s the driver�s responsibility to make the car safe enough to be on the road. Our autos experts offer the following advice: Run your car with the heat on while you�re clearing the outside. Use a long-handled brush or scraper to remove as much ice and snow as possible. If you can�t reach the roof easily use a sturdy step stool�but only if your shoes and the ground aren�t slippery. If the ground is too slick, work at the edges of the ice and lift it away from the roof in chunks. Don�t use road salt or directly scrape the car, both of which can damage the finish. Consider a warm spray at a car wash, particularly if you have a tall vehicle (though note that car washes have differing rules about allowing snow-covered cars to enter). If a sheet of ice comes flying at you when you�re on the highway, don�t panic. Swerving and hitting another vehicle risks a serious accident, and will likely cause more damage than getting hit by the ice. Gently apply the brakes and don�t change lanes or stop abruptly without checking that it�s safe.

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Winter Driving News

AgriLife researchers: Winter pastures good bet despite high seed costs (High Plains Journal)

Along with driving up the costs of inputs such as nitrogen fertilizer, high fuel prices are raising the cost of seed for ryegrass and other small grains, according to a Texas AgriLife Research scientist.

Man surrenders on bond in death of woman in DUI crash (The Champaign News-Gazette)

URBANA – A Champaign man accused of causing the death of a Gibson City woman in a drunken driving crash last winter is now in jail. Marc Featherstone, 24, of the 3400 block of Stoneway Court, surrendered on his bond on the advice of his attorney and is now in jail awaiting trial on a charge of aggravated driving under the influence alleging he caused the death of Kara Lynn Holt, 29, on Jan. ...

DWI crash victim reveals pain, anger (Albany Times Union)

Woman hurt by drunken-driving felon, condemns apologetic motorist in court ALBANY -- When Kelly Flynn took Route 9 in Loudonville last winter to go to her boyfriend's birthday party, she thought it'd be a "relaxing detour." Instead, her car was smacked head-on by a drunken driver, leaving her with two broken legs, a fractured arm and unable to leave her bed for a month without assistance. She ...

Is Your Car Ready for Winter? (Carteret County News-Times)

(ARA) - What's the last thing you want to happen when heading off to school or that mountain getaway you've been looking forward to? If you're driving to your destination, the worst case scenario would be for the flashing "Check Engine" warning light to come on, leading to your car breaking down.

Winter Heating Season Looms As Missouri Fuel Prices Fall (Kansas City InfoZine)

Fuel prices in Missouri and across the nation fell this week, as fears for fuel industry storm damage ran out of gas along with Hurricane Gustav.

Tires and ice: Winter driving challenges

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60cm Gas Hob with Ultra Rapid Burner and Safety Valves

TomTom Speed Camera Scratchcard TT Safety Cam SCard

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AgriLife researchers: Winter pastures good bet despite high seed costs (High Plains Journal)

Man surrenders on bond in death of woman in DUI crash (The Champaign News-Gazette)

DWI crash victim reveals pain, anger (Albany Times Union)

Is Your Car Ready for Winter? (Carteret County News-Times)

Winter Heating Season Looms As Missouri Fuel Prices Fall (Kansas City InfoZine)