Click and Clack Tires
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Hi, I'm Bryan Yeaton for The Weather Notebook.

Most of the country has experienced at least a touch of winter by now. You may have already found yourself slip-sliding down the highway

Tom and Ray Magliozzi, of NPR's Car Talk, give us something to think about to keep that from happening.

1. The one thing that I would change is the tires.

2. Really?

1. Oh, you bet. I mean, if you were really going to plan to go out in the snow, then tires are an essential part of it. And, most people think that the tires that you've been driving on all year are good enough for snow and they're not.

2. Well, here's what I think about that.

1. Yeah.

2. There are lot's of people who go out and get themselves Ford Blizzak's or something like that when in fact, they may drive in those kinds of conditions that justify those kinds of tires one or two days a winter. And, the rest of the time they're driving on tires that are specifically designed for snow and not designed for dry or wet road conditions. And, I think you compromise the handling of any car when you put snow tires on it.

1. Well, you do and that's what the problem is. The problem is if you put the snow tires on which will do you good in the snow then they're not going to do you good for anything else, but if you don't put them on then you're gonna die in the snow.

2. Not if you stay home.

1. Exactly. Unless you stay home.

2. Who was that that had, Master Card, don't leave home without it. Our advice is just don't leave home.

You can catch Tom and Ray-the Tappett brothers-on their radio show, Car Talk, heard on NPR stations around the country. The Weather Notebook is produced by The Mount Washington Observatory.