"Snow what?": Hankook Tire reveals most Americans are comfortable driving in winter conditions

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Feb 12, 2015, 01:50 ET

WAYNE, N.J., Feb. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- When it snows, it flows. This winter, an epic period of back-to-back snowstorms has been taking its toll on cold-climate regions like the Northeast, consistently sending residents off to their driveways with shovels and scrapers. Although, despite how problematic the slick, icy road conditions from the storms may seem, winter drivers' confidence remains high as Hankook Tire recently found that most Americans are OK with the wintry roads.

In their latest Quarterly Gauge Index, Hankook revealed that seventy-five percent (75%) of Americans are comfortable driving in snow and ice. And although even the slightest snowfall is enough to keep some drivers off the road, the Gauge also found that sixty-five percent (65%) of Americans say it would take six inches of snow or more to keep them off the roads.

Although the majority of Americans consider winter road conditions a breeze, preparation and safety are paramount, and Hankook Tire offers tips for navigating poor road conditions as the snow continues to fall:

Make sure your tires are season appropriate –The Gauge also found that sixty-six percent (66%) of Americans are most concerned about skidding on icy roads when it comes to winter driving. In cold temperatures and slick surfaces that require significant grip, a dedicated winter or all-season tire is best for your car. High performance winter tires like the Winter i*cept evo carry the sporty, durable elements drivers love, with features like 3D kerf technology that guarantees superb driving stability and excellent traction on snow and ice allowing for a safer experience.

Carry the essentials – You never know when you might run into trouble, so be prepared. Make sure you have extra windshield wiper fluid, a blanket, a small shovel, as well as sand, kitty litter or even an old piece of cardboard, which you can put under your rear tires if your car is stuck in the snow.

All four, not just two – Winter tires need to be on all four wheels, not just on the back two. Some assume that the two drive wheels are most important, and the other two tires are secondary. However, using just two winter tires on a vehicle creates traction mismatch that can have serious handling consequences. Using four winter tires ensures optimum traction and control for all vehicle types.

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SOURCE Hankook Tire