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Itr/ITH temperatures continuing to Y V dip and clouds beginning to form, it won't be long 'til Old Man Winter's wrath of rain, sleet and snow begin to pelt roadways. Combine nature's moisture with cold temperatures and your delivery crew has a truckload of things to consider in preparing for winter driving.

Here are tips from Tim Miller, Goodyear's commercial tire marketing communications manager:

(hoore the Right Tread

Having an "aggressive" drive-axle tread pattern is very important for single drive-axle tractors and straight trucks. A pattern with lots of lugs will dig into snow and provide better traction. If you run a tandem-axle rig, you're doubling the drive and traction and, depending upon the severity of weather, can get enough grip with traditional over-the-road drive tires that are designed for good traction and long miles to removal.

The key to better traction is having lots of gripping edges for traction improvement in snowy or slushy conditions. Ice presents its own set of challenges that even the most aggressive tires can't handle. One way to help fight ice and slippery road conditions is to have your tires siped. Many tire dealers in the North have siping machines that cut grooves into your tires, which helps grip. Studies at Goodyear have shown tires that have been siped have measurable improvement in winter traction. However, some lug tires, when siped, may be prone to tread tearing on dry pavement. Ask your tire dealer for more information prior to siping your tires.

Tread Depth

It's common sense that a tire with lots of tread will have more traction than a tire on its last 32nds. While most fleets remove tires with a worn tread depth value of 4l32nds in rhe spring and summer months, that's not a recommended practice in the winter. In the winter, it's recommended that tread be removed at 8/32nds. Tires that are pulled early can be placed on trailers or put in racks until spring arrive.

fterking Tire Presrure

It's tried and true advice: check your air pressures before the vehicle begins its day at work, when the tires are cold. Because air pressures fall I lb. for every l0' F drop in the ambient temperature, if you check your pressures in the heat of the day they may be 2 or 3 psi lower the next morning after a night of cooler weather.

But what happens when the temperatures are extremely low-like, 20" or 30' below zero? Air-pressure loss is even greater than normal. In Alaska or parts of Canada when it's 45 below, you might lose 2 psi for every 7" drop in ambient temperature. If you have your truck in the nice, warm shop for six hours and you fill to 70 psi, the inflation pressure may not be adequate for the kind of weight you're hauling. You might need 90 psi or more.

Another challenge: When you take an air-pressure reading, you get moist air coming out of the valve stem and freezing on the spot, which can cause the valve to stick. Ifyou encounter bitter-cold weather and you need to check your air pressures, do it in the shop where it's warmer. When you fill the tires, just remember to compensate for greater pressure drop that happens in extreme cold.

I Word on (hainr

If you do proper chain ups, you'll have no negative impact on tire life. But, if chains are not tight enough or if you run on chains after they're needed, your tires will face early retirement to the scrap pile.

If you have new drivers, training on chaining up should be conducted. Oftentimes you can call on your tire dealer for assistance in putting together a winter driving class that covers best practices for chaining tires.