Winter driving 101: ‘Ice and snow; take it slow’

By kristine gill

kgill@vindy.com

youngstown

Flynn’s Tire & Auto Service store manager Tom Schadle has two words for anyone looking to winterize their car this season: snow tires.

“A lot of people think snow tires are a thing of the past, but we’re actually selling more snow tires than ever,” Schadle said.

Schadle manages the 655 Mahoning Ave. store and said the cost of a set of snow tires is comparable to a set of all-season tires.

As winter creeps up on Ohio, Schadle has been selling snow tires and performing full checks on vehicles to make sure headlights, windshield wipers, batteries and all fluids are in working order.

“When you winterize a car, that’s when you get the major inspection,” he said. “You look at everything so you have no issues out on the road.”

Schadle recommends adding more weight to your vehicle’s trunk to help with winter driving and said a candle can keep you warm enough if your car doesn’t start and you become stranded. He also recommends jumper cables for batteries that have weakened over the summer.

The Ohio Department of Transportation has two slogans to keep drivers safe in wintery weather: “Ice and Snow, Take it Slow” and “Don’t Crowd the Plow.”

“The first is self-explanatory,” said Justin Chesnic, ODOT District 4 spokesman. “When it’s icy and snowy outside just slow down. Give yourself more time between vehicles. Hitting the brakes is not easy because cars can slide.”

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.