Wrong tires pose major hazard for spring driving

From a sudden downpour of rain to the blinding glare of the sun, spring and summer have their own share of driving dangers– and they could pose an even greater hazard if you don’t have the right tires on your car.

With professional race car driver Carl Nadeau in the passenger seat, consumer reporter Lynda Steele tested her driving skills on a test track at the PNE grounds.

The obstacle course was sprayed down by a water truck to simulate Metro Vancouver’s driving conditions and the first vehicle to take the test had all-season tires on it.

The all-season tires performed well, but the vehicle did slide a bit when braking and turning on wet corners.

The next test used the same obstacle course, but with winter tires. When the temperature is about seven degrees, it takes a lot longer to stop with the winter tires. Steele also found that turning wet corners was much more difficult.

“You did your best, and the manouever you did with the steering wheel was good, like the race line you took was perfect, but the tire just couldn't keep up,” said Nadeau.

For the last few laps around the track, a brand new tire built for wet Vancouver roads, called the Michelin Premier, was tested.

Steele noticed a significant difference. Braking and cornering on wet roads at a high speed were much easier.

Nadeau also had some safety tips when it comes to how your seat is positioned.

For starters, you should be sitting slightly forward so that when you hit the brake, your leg is never fully extended. And when it comes to steering position?  Put your hands at nine and three, with your thumbs inside the steering wheel.  That gives you the most control and stability when you drive.

The worst steering position is having one hand on the top of the wheel. You can't react quickly enough and if you get into a crash, and the air bag goes off you will punch yourself straight in the face.

Tire inflation is also an important factor to stay safe on the roads, but a recent survey has found many drivers need to brush up on their tire inflation knowledge.

The poll by Leger found 61 per cent of British Columbians do not check their pressure monthly and another 61 per cent don’t even know where to find the correct inflation pressure of their vehicle.

Measuring tire pressure monthly can result in considerable cost savings. A motorist riding on under inflated tires who drives 20,000 kilometres per year can save at least $100 per year by properly inflating their tires.