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About Hermiston herald. (Hermiston, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 14, 2015)
HOME IMPROVEMENT & CAR CARE WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2015 HERMISTON HERALD/EAST OREGONIAN • PAGE 5 THINKING OF STUDDED SNOW TIRES? Think about studless tires instead By SAM BARBEE Staff Writer When the winter months approach, drivers begin to think about switching to snow tires on their vehicles. Most will go with studded snow tires to dig into the soft precipitation and give more grip. But use of studded snow tires is beginning to recede. Several organizations, in- cluding the Oregon Depart- ment of Transportation are beginning to wonder wheth- er studded snow tires are ac- tually a problem. According to Loren Pursifull, the man- ager of G&S Tire Factory in Hermiston, ODOT is trying to move drivers away from studded snow tires and to studless snow tires, which are less damaging to roads. “ODOT’s saying it’s costing a lot of money,” Pur- sifull said of studded snow tires. “The studded snow tire ain’t going anywhere, but you’ll see (them used) less and less on passenger rigs. You’ll see more stud- less on passenger rigs.” In addition, rubber tech- nology has increased to the point where studs are almost unneeded. According to the Bridgestone Tire website, “breakthroughs” in tire tech- nology have “nearly elimi- nated” the need for studs in tires. Though studless snow tires aren’t new, they’re be- coming more common as the technology improves and prices go down. “Every tire manufacture now is coming up with (a studless),” Pursifull said. “Even the cheapest tire made out there is coming out with its own studless snow tire.” G&S Tire Factory manager /oren 3ursifull e[plains the beneÀts and rise of studless snow tires last week in Hermiston. STAFF PHOTOS BY SAM BARBEE A studded snow tire sits at G&S Tire Factory in Hermiston. Note the metal studs embedded in the tread surrounded by siping, or narrow slits cut in the tread. Studded (foreground) and studless snow tires sit side by side at G&S tire Factory in Hermiston. Note the similarities in siping of the two tire types, yet the absence of studs on the tires in the back. Studless tires have be- come cheaper as the rubber compounds become easier to produce. For a time stud- ded tires were the norm be- cause of the affordability of them. Studless snow tires were just too expensive. Now, however, studded tires run at about $130, and some studless tires can be pur- chased for a similar price. “Really, the studs are for an extra traction, ice, that type of deal,” Pursifull said. Pursifull also said that Give your car a checkup before winter By ANTONIO SIERRA Staff Writer Extreme weather of any kind can be hard on a car, and winter’s no exception. Jerry Enders, the owner of Fenders by Enders, said his Hermiston auto repair shop performs free winter preparedness checks. But if car owners are go- ing at it alone as they prepare for the oncoming ice and snow, Enders had a number of tips to keep local vehicles running strong through the winter months. Enders said drivers should always check their car’s Àu- ids, like transmission and en- gine coolant, not just to see if its at the right level, but to also make sure its clean. Car parts that are made of rubber, like engine hoses and windshield wipers can also take a beating from the cold. Enders suggested tak- ing a look at those parts and replacing them if need be. Regardless of car owners’ willingness to get their hands dirty, Enders said it’s always a good idea to get a profes- sional to look at a car before the winter hits. MOBILE DECORATING UNIT TO YOUR HOME BLINDS ARE US! FREE ESTIMATES Unbeatable Prices! Mini Blinds • Duettes Silhouette • Verticals Wood Blinds Pleated Shades Licensed • Bonded OR St Contr#127924 Pendleton Hermiston 541-276-5599 541-564-6474 www.blindsareus.com 5 GAL. NAPA 90TH ANNIVERSARY WASH BUCKET $ Buy: 2.99 Get: 20% off On 3 or More Items You Can Fit Inside the Bucket!* YOUR CHOICE $1.99 Whether it’s an auto re- pair shop or a dealer, Enders said the variety of cars on the roads these days means each vehicle has different needs to make it to spring. if you are one to make use of the mountain passes reg- ularly, it is recommended that you carry a set of chains with you. They are relative- ly easy to install with just a couple of steps (most sets of chains come with instruc- tions) and can be required through passes even if you have traction tires on your vehicle. But, Pursifull pointed out, it all comes down to preference. Those who feel the need to be safe will get studded tires regardless. But those who want the best bang for their buck will go with an all-season set of tires that doesn’t need to be changed or the studless tires with siping that give as much grip as tires with studs. Tire siping, according to the Les Schwab Tire Cen- ters website, is the procces G&S Tire Factory of Hermiston is ready for the winter months, with some studded snow tires (right) and studless snow tires (left) on display for sale last week. of cutting thin slits across the surface of a tire. This is done to improve traction on snow, ice or wet roads. It can also reduce tire heat when road are extremely hot. Studded tires, though, end up looking almost iden- tical to studless — both have siping — it’s just that studded tires have studs. The type of driving, amount of driving, type of vehicle and budget are all variables that affect how people buy tires. At the end of the day, Pursifull said, it’s about Your Local Fire & Water Damage Restoration Professionals Serving all of Umatilla and Morrow Counties 541-567-2603 24 Hour Emergency Service From the largest farm to the smallest yard, we provide you with the knowledge, the reliability and the quality products to get the job done. 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