Now is the time for drivers to prepare themselves and their vehicles for winter

BEND, Ore., Nov. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Les Schwab Tires, the nation’s top-ranked independent tire retailer, is kicking off the winter driving season with free vehicle safety checks and a safety awareness campaign that draws attention to the lesser-known dangers of winter driving.

With snow beginning to dust corners of the U.S., drivers must ensure they and their vehicles are ready to safely navigate winter roads. According to the Federal Highway Administration, about a quarter of weather-related vehicle crashes happen in snowy, slushy, or icy conditions. To help drivers prepare, Les Schwab Tire Centers is offering free safety checks at all of its 630 locations nationwide. Simply pull up to the store and tell the staffer who runs out to greet you that you’d like a safety inspection – it’s that simple.

For those without a Les Schwab Tire Center nearby, expert winter tips are available online:

• Comprehensive winter driving guidelines
• Information on different types of tires
• Expert articles on vehicle preparation for harsh weather

 The lesser-known dangers of winter driving conditions may surprise people:

• Modern cars are only safer until they lose traction. Technology – including anti-lock brakes and traction control – has made newer cars much safer, but they also reach the limits of physics without much warning. Once those limits are crossed, nothing can stop the vehicle from sliding. It is important that drivers know how to identify these limits and keep their vehicle from exceeding them.
• Your vehicle is inherently more dangerous the first 10 minutes of a winter drive. Cold temperatures affect more than just tires. They reduce brake responsiveness, thicken oil and transmission fluids, distort windshield visibility and stiffen rubber compounds. This all adds up to a vehicle that does not perform the way a driver is accustomed to.
• Tires aren’t round on a cold morning. When a car sits overnight in sub-freezing or near-freezing temperatures, the bottom portion of the tire –  flattened against the cold pavement – develops a temporary “flat spot.” Until warmed up, tires are literally not perfectly round, causing subtle vibrations, reduced grip, and uneven wear. This also translates to a more dangerous environment.
• The driver also needs to warm up for safety. Cold drivers are physically distracted, and shivering slows human reaction times. In addition, auto glass can fog upon departure when the vehicle and the driver vary dramatically in temperature. Using AC while heating up the cabin avoids this by dehumidifying.

The safest approach to a winter departure is ensuring your car is properly maintained, warming the driver and cabin first, then getting the vehicle’s systems up to temperature with caution. From there, a driver can proceed as usual with a dose of seasonal caution to ensure they and others on the road reach their destination safely.

Drivers can beat the storm – and the crowd – by dropping into any Les Schwab Tire Center to ensure winter-readiness, or visit www.lesschwab.com to schedule an appointment for service. All stores are open extended hours through the end of 2026 to accommodate the winter rush. 

About Les Schwab Tires
Les Schwab Tires (www.lesschwab.com) is the nation’s top-ranked independent tire retailer. At the company’s 630 locations, more than 9,000 employees take pride in doing the right thing every day: servicing America’s best tire warranty, selling from a portfolio of in-house and Tier 1 tire brands, and performing routine maintenance from suspension alignments to oil changes.

Les Schwab Tires is more than an ordinary tire store. It stands behind a pledge to do more for its customers and communities. The company has built upon its founder’s belief in honesty, service and hard work since he started the business in 1952 with a small tire shop in Central Oregon – the region Les Schwab Tires still calls home today.

To view the full 2026 ratings and learn more about this recommendation, visit: https://www.lesschwab.com/consumer-reports

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SOURCE Les Schwab Tire Centers