December 2019 December 2019 | Page 31

Tires for Your Cart better grip and traction, ensuring you are never stranded in the middle of the street or wherever you may be driving. use only, if you live in an area with high rainfall during the colder months, it may be worth pur- chasing a set of knobby tires. Features of Winter Tires Be aware that their efficiency in the snow de- pends on the terrain underneath the snow. If the terrain is soft, or loose, like mud, the knobby tread is not going to work. However, the knobby tread will work well on asphalt or pavement. Winter tires have different features than regu- lar tires, making them safer and more effective in the cold weather. During the colder weather, especially in areas with high snowfall, the driving surface becomes slippery, causing your golf cart to lose traction. Winter tires have a wider width and deeper tread to grip more closely to the road. This keeps your cart moving forward and takes some strain off the battery. It also prevents slippage and loss of control, helping you to avoid road accidents or injuries on the golf course. All-terrain tires are a good happy medium be- tween standard golf cart tires and knobby off- road tires. Standard golf cart tires with sawtooth, turf, or ribbed tread are gentle on the golf course (grassy) surface but unsuitable for cold weather grip. Knobby tires designed for off-road carts have good grip, but they will tear up the course. The tread on all-terrain tires is generally direc- tional, allowing for better grip on slippery surfac- es. Another feature of winter tires is a thicker tire wall that allows the tire to “give” more. This “give” means the surface area of the tire will be in contact with the driving surface, providing better grip. A thicker tire wall also means a smoother ride over rough terrain, making it more comfort- able for you and your passengers. Snow tires are the obvious choice for people liv- ing in areas with high snowfall. They, too, are di- rectional but often come with additional features like paddles or knobs to assist with traction. Choosing The Right Winter Tires for Your Cart In Summary Though winter golf cart tires have some similar features to winter tires for cars, their function is slightly different. Standard winter tires for cars are designed for cold weather conditions on sealed roads, while winter golf cart tires must transition easily from sealed surfaces to off-road conditions, which is why selecting the right tire tread is a good idea. Winter tires are a great feature that allows you to utilize your cart year around. They are safer and more effective in cold weather than standard tires. In addition, they keep your cart’s motor from suffering too much damage from straining the battery. Knobby tires come in a variety of different tread patterns, each specific to a different terrain. While they are generally designed for off-road Ensure you choose the right tire for your cart and the terrain on which you plan to drive it. To make the most of your winter tires, it is important they are properly fitted and maintained before ventur- ing out in the cold weather. DECEMBER 2019 31