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One of the most effective ways to improve a vehicle’s ability to handle driving in the snow is for it to have good tires.
The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore made the trip to the Keweenaw Research Center test track to do some live shots and video segments of Michelin’s winter tire testing.
The testing used to be done on public roads, but was switched to promote a more controlled environment.
Michelin Subjective Test Driver Ed Gliss says the high snow fall totals, cold weather, and icy conditions make the Keweenaw Research Center a perfect place for Michelin to test their tires.
“When we’re up here testing we’re trying to look at the extreme conditions,” said Michelin Subjective Test Driver Ed Gliss, “this is about as extremes as you’re going to find it here in the U.S. so it’s a good proven grounds for our products.”
Cantore joined the testing Tuesday, because as he says, good tires make all the difference.
“I think it’s excellent,” said The Weather Channel Meteorologist Jim Cantore, “I think their mission is like ours in weather. They’re trying to make it safer for people who have to go out in this stuff. That’s what we’re trying to do. We’re trying to get you through the weather and make it safer for you and your family. Same thing, they’re just trying to do it on tires. If we can teach people or show people how to drive properly on the snow when they have to go out, mission accomplished.”
Michelin has been testing tires at the KRC since 1985 and with an average snowfall of 210 inches per year, that’s likely to continue.
Video for this story can be seen at http://abc10up.com/weather-channel-to-feature-u-p-tire-testing/
