The Science Behind Winter Wheels: Possible Problems and Its Solutions

With the extended winter season comes heavy snowfall which leads to many accidents on icy terrains throughout America. Thus, one must understand the science behind winter wheels and take precautionary measures to avoid such accidents by buying new replacement wheels. In such situations what can one do and why do car wheels behave in this way is to be investigated in this article. It will give the reader an insight into a better understanding of the typical tire behavior in winter conditions.     

Why do old car wheels perform badly in winter?

There is 1 G of gravitational pull when a person stands on the ground. The car wheels when observed in a similar fashion, 1 G of force is applied in all the directions that are on the sides, the front, and the back. Thus, a traction circle is formed on all sides of the car wheel. When a car wheel moves on a rainy track this traction circle is reduced to 0.7 G. The ultimate amount of grip that a tire has while driving on a snowy track is about 0.3 G. And if your driving on ice then this traction circle reduces to 0.15 G.

What happens when a car wheel moves out of a traction circle?

The car wheels are required to stay within the traction circle as one is driving. As the car wheels come out of the traction circle it starts to slide on the track. So, winter wheels, or in the case of a new replacement wheel, increases the traction circle. Thus, allowing a better overall grip to the car wheel and does not allow the car wheel to slip. This leads to having a better grip, cornering ability, acceleration, and a reduced braking distance.       

How does the winter tire material behave in winters?

It’s not a hidden fact that summer causes things to expand while winters cause them to contract. During winter and extended snowy seasons the rubber contracts leaving a gap between the rim and the rubber padding. This leads to the release of air from the car wheels. The variation is significant for every ten degrees of temperature drop losing one pound per inch lessoning the tire pressure making it flat. The deflating of the tire is visible in such a case.

What are the tips for long road travel in the winter season?

A pro tip to drive on a snowy platform is to have a soft foot easing on the accelerator and on the brakes, pedal avoiding any rushed sharp movements to avoid losing the car's overall balance. Make sure to have a safe distance between you and the car driving ahead of you. If your driving in deep snow make sure to keep your car moving and do not let it halt at any position as it would lead to burying of car wheels in the snow leading to further burial of the old car wheels once you try to accelerate after completely stopping. 

What to do if you are stuck in the winter snow? 

Now, what if you stuck in the snow and how to get your car wheels out, it requires repeatedly accelerating the car in a forward and backward direction. Thus, leading to the building of enough momentum to get out of the deep snow. You can also keep a snow scop with you with which you can remove ice from the front and the back of the tire to give maximum momentum to the tire to move your vehicle out of the snowy track. You can also carry a dirtbag with you in case of extremely cold snowy situations. The front and backside of the car wheels can be covered with dirt or sand to increase the friction of the car wheels and move the car from a stuck position.

Conclusion:

The result of all this discussion is to have a better instinct in case one is traveling on a snowy track. Also, the replacement of the older tires with the new replacement wheels is important for the safety of the passengers. Factory wheel warehouse in this regard offers the best replacement wheels for extended winters to avoid potholes, wheel bents, transmission failure, and other reasons. For quick and immediate services one can also contact Elite of Albany for the best rim repair services one can get in town. 

For professional customer services about rims and wheels call us at +1 518-579-9260.

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