Some winter driving facts courtesy of Michelin

Winter tires play an essential role in your vehicle's safety, handling and performance when driving on cold weather road conditions. To help ensure drivers stay safe this season and are properly prepared for winter conditions, Michelin offers the following tips:

It's all in the tire

Winter tires can deliver approximately 25% more traction on winter roads than all-season tires, which can help drivers to stop in time and avoid trouble spots.

It's always better to install four winter tires rather than just two. Installing four winter tires on your vehicle will help keep you on the road and can prevent you from becoming stranded in severe weather conditions. It's an investment in your safety.

Colder temperatures can cause changes in tires' air pressure, so it's important to check tire pressure monthly during the winter season. Ensuring tires are at the proper inflation levels will help optimize winter tire performance and can also help improve fuel efficiency.

Tread design counts

Winter tire tread designs are engineered to improve traction on all winter road conditions. Today's most advanced winter designs, such as the Michelin X-Ice tire, deliver a safer ride while maintaining comfortable, quiet highway driving as well as excellent traction on dry and wet roads. Some features of advanced tread technology include:

* Unlike snow tires of the past, smaller shoulder grooves and tread elements increase snow and ice traction with no sacrifice on dry or wet road handling or highway driving.

* Special lug and groove shapes allow more snow to be packed into the tread and expelled as the tire rotates for better deep snow traction.

* Sophisticated, highdensity sipe designs (sipes are the little slits in the tread surface) help cut through snow and slush so the tread compound can make better contact with the road surface.

* Unique tread compounds allow for rubber flexibility that generates ice and snow grip in cold temperature.

Staying in control Winter weather can be

unpredictable, so it's important to navigate icy, snowy roads with caution. Take some tips from the experts at Michelin to sharpen your driving skills and prepare ahead for winter's worst:

Whenever possible, avoid driving in heavy snow. When you do encounter snowy conditions, remember to slow down. It takes a vehicle twice as long to stop on slippery surfaces as it does on dry roads.

If you do not have an ABS system, avoid braking suddenly. Give the brake pedal a few soft taps, rather than one hard push to avoid sending your vehicle into a skid.

Climbing and descending hills in snow requires special care. Climb hills in the highest possible gear to minimize the chances of losing traction and spinning your wheels.

Place your vehicle in low-gear before descending a hill. If you decide to change to a lower gear while driving downhill, do it very gently to prevent sliding.

Surviving if

you're stranded

Many Canadians are accustomed to driving in unpredictable winter weather; however, there's always a chance that you might get stuck. In the event you find yourself stranded on the highway or a secondary road this winter, Michelin offers the following tips:

* Move your vehicle as far off the road as possible to avoid being hit.

* Turn on your hazard lights to attract help.

* Keep additional clothing in your vehicle and put it on to keep warm.

* Use a cellular phone to call for help.

* Stay with the car and run the engine periodically, but not continuously.

* Move your arms and legs to improve your circulation and to keep warm.

* Consider the outside temperature and wind chill before leaving your vehicle. Most importantly, do not run your engine continuously, especially if snow is accumulating rapidly. If snow accumulates and blocks your exhaust pipe, you are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

A little preparation and prevention can go a long way! Take the time to have your vehicle checked before venturing out on the roads this winter. Get the facts on winter driving, check and adjust (if necessary) your tire pressure at least once a month, and stay safe this season.