* Be alert to other vehicles. Maintain enough distance between your vehicle and the one ahead of you.
    * If visibility is poor, remember to use your lights. This helps other drivers see you when approaching or following.
    * Set the vehicle cabin to a comfortable setting. Cabin comfort includes keeping the widows free of frost, ice and snow. It also means you can focus all of your attention on driving rather than setting and re-setting temperature controls.
    * Be as smooth as possible. Avoid sudden braking and steering responses. Always signal early when turning or stopping.
    * Avoid overconfident driving and avoid overestimating the vehicle’s capability because it is equipped with anti-lock brakes, traction control, winter tires or other devices. An ABS system stops the wheels; the tires stop the vehicle.
    * Make sure your windshield wipers work properly, check your battery, inspect your tire tread, keep the windshield washer reservoir full, have the correct level of antifreeze for heating and defrosting the vehicle, keep plenty of gasoline in the tank and consider keeping extra weight in the trunk. You may want to consider storing a bag of sand, blankets, flares and a shovel.

Goodyear adds that for optimal handling, stability and traction, four new tires are better than two and four new winter-purpose-built tires are better than four new all-season tires.

“The bottom line for consumers is knowing what level of winter they might face,” said Toth. “All-season tires are perfect for many areas of the country, while other areas dictate a true winter tire.” Goodyear recommends its new Assurance tire with TripleTred Technology. “It’s not a winter tire, yet it carries some of the same characteristics,” Toth said. The company says the tire is a year-round product that doesn’t have to be changed over on a seasonal basis. For pure winter tire technology, Goodyear refers consumers to its Ultra Grip line of winter tires.

Bridgestone sums up the winter driving season with one word: Blizzak. “One of the most important factors in starting, steering or stopping on ice and snowy roads is tires,” says Mark Cox, Bridgestone/Firestone winter driving school director. “It makes no difference if you have a front-wheel, four-wheel, or rear-wheel drive, your vehicle will perform better in most winter driving conditions if it is equipped with purpose-built snow tires.”

Cox recommends the Bridgestone Blizzak product line.“When the snow starts flying, sit back and enjoy the scenery,” says Cox. “If your vehicle is equipped with the proper tires, you can navigate safely on those winter roads.”