Traction On Slick Roads

[MustangSally]

This probably isn't right, but someone told me that you can remove some of the air in the tires to get better traction on snowy and slick roads. Is that right? Even if it is, is it something you should do?

 

[Tabby]

My dad told me this, too. It doesn't sound right, but he showed me how letting some (not a lot) of the air out makes more of your tire touch the road, so you get better traction.

He did say that once the roads are clear, I should set them back to their proper pressure.

 

[HondaMan]

Yes, this is absolutely true and would keep a lot of vehicles from becoming stuck in the snow. Of course, you don't want to flatten the tires, but letting out five or six pounds of air will give much better traction. Don't forget to fill them back up before you drive too fast or you could have a blowout.

 

[Mario]

Yes it's true that making your tires a little "softer" will spread them out enough to create greater surface area of tire to road contact, which gives you a bit better traction.