5 Winter Tire Tips

Do You Need Winter Tires?

 
Winter is here in New Hampshire and we all know what to expect - snow and slush, freezing rain, and maybe even black ice. Do you know if your tires are ready to withstand all of that?
 
When driving in New Hampshire in the wintertime, your tires just might be the most important safety feature on your car. The right ones can get you to your destination safely, whereas the wrong ones could be responsible for an accident or leave you stuck in an otherwise unfavorable situation.

So how do you determine what’s best for your vehicle? Here are five things to keep in mind about winter tires:

1.     Winter tires really are different than regular tires.
Winter tires have deeper tread, along with siping (slits in the tread blocks). This increases the number of edges that touch the road, resulting in better traction and handling. They also stay softer than other tires do in cold weather, thanks to special rubber compounds designed specifically for winter use, which help increase traction as well.

2.     If your area regularly drops below 45 degrees, you probably need winter tires.
Winter tires don’t just perform better in snow and ice – they are better for cold weather in general. So if you get some chilly days where you live like we do here in NH, consider a set – a full set. Installing just two winter tires can cause handling problems.

3.     There are two main categories.
Studless snow and ice tires are designed for extreme conditions. They are better in deep snow than performance winter tires, which are for light snow and ice. What about studded tires? Well, they give you great traction on ice but also damage roads. And some experts say chains do just as well.

4.     You still need to check the pressure — once a week.
If your tires are underinflated, they are at risk of failing. In winter, if they’re overinflated, your traction will be significantly reduced.

5.     You still need to check the tread, too.
An inexpensive tool found at auto parts stores can be used for this, or you can use a free tool you likely already have in your possession – a penny. Stick the coin into the groove of the tire, with Lincoln’s head down. Is some of his hair hidden? Good. Can you see all of Abe’s hair? It’s time for new tires.

 

 

At Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency in Littleton and Lisbon, NH we know that nobody wants to spend too much time thinking about tires, and the good news is that you don’t have to. Just a little bit of preparation, along with some routine maintenance, will keep you driving safely in New Hampshire all winter long.

 

For additional safety tips and useful resources, please read our other blog posts, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.         

 

Image credit: Safeco Insurance 

 

 

Five Ways to Get Your Car Stolen

Five sure-fire ways to get your car stolen

Most people would say their car is one of the most valuable assets they own — if not the most valuable. However, despite knowing its value, some people make it downright easy for thieves to drive off in their pride and joy. At Hunkins & Eaton, we don’t want you walking out your door to an empty driveway or leaving the mall or grocery store only to find some broken glass left behind in your parking space, so be sure to avoid the following five mistakes:

       1.     Leave your car running ... and unattended. Here in New Hampshire with our freezing winter mornings and our stifling summer afternoons, many residents prefer to start their cars ahead of time and allow them to warm up or cool down for a few minutes. Although understandable, this can be dangerous, so if your car is running, you should always be in it, even if you’re just running to the ATM or dropping off some mail.

2.       Keep a spare set of keys inside the car. According to law enforcement agencies, this is a great way to turn a car prowler into a car thief. Suppose someone is already attempting to break into your car to steal a phone, or a laptop, etc.; what do you think he/she is going to do upon finding a set of keys?

3.       Put valuables in plain sight. Seems simple, but we’ve all made this mistake. You’ll just be in the store for a second, after all, so who cares if you leave your smartphone on the front seat? Or items from your other errands in the back seat? Be smart — if you have to leave items in your car, put them in the trunk, or at least hide them as best you can, before you arrive at your next destination.

4.       Leave your car unsecured. The best thieves can work wonders with a window that’s left open even just a crack, and even the worst thieves can steal a car that’s been left unlocked with no alarm set.

5.       Assume nobody would want to steal your car. Think your car is too old or too undesirable for a thief to bother? Scrap metal is worth money, so never assume that your car is safe — even if you think it’s just a “junker.”

Keeping thieves away helps keep everyone’s insurance costs down, so avoiding these mistakes will not only save you hassle, but it will save you money as well. So stay safe - not just on the roads, but also in the parking lots!
 

Contact Us!

At Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency in Littleton and Lisbon, NH, we can work with you to make sure you've got the auto insurance coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 800-427-3975 or contact us online at www.hunkins-eaton.com. It’s our job to make sure that what's important to you is fully protected!

Content provided by Safeco Insurance.