Interesting comment about Dunlop all seasons vs Bridgestones; hopefully, others can provide more feedback. The Bridgestones certainly are not bad in the rain, but the grooves on the Dunlop all seasons might suggest they are at least marginally better.
I would say what's more important than the tire and settings is the actual driving style. Most people already know it but it's worth saying anyway. The tips are not necessarily conducive to racing, it's primarily for safety on the streets. You do not need to observe all of them at once or all the time, it depends on the situation. In a blizzard for example, you might need to observe most of them.
The boring tips that can save you:
- Avoid sudden movements such as steering or acceleration & braking that could upset the balance of the car. For example, it would be better to slow down in a straight line before taking a turn and slowly accelerate out when you have straightened. Braking and turning at the same time upsets the car more. It's similar to the racing concept of slow-in fast-out except you aren't really stepping on the gas as hard.
- Be observant of road conditions. The types of turns to look out for are tight, long sweepers, or opposite inclines. Small bumps, curbs, holes, or other objects can jolt the car causing a slip. Changes in elevation and surface such as railroad crossings and bridge humps.
- Leave more room between cars and be aware of others around you in front, back, and sides. On some narrow roads with multiple lanes, it's better to avoid driving beside other vehicles except for short durations to pass. That means you are driving sort of staggered.
- Wider tires are more likely to hydroplane, so avoid standing water such as might be on the side of the road. Often one of the lanes might have more water due to drainage problems.
- Be more visible so that others can take evasive action if you get into trouble. You can be more visible by turning on the parking lights and perhaps the headlights, but make sure it's not on high beam.
- Be a more defensive driver and perceive ahead. This means assume others might do something stupid so be prepared with the brakes and have escape routes. To avoid having to slam on the brakes, sometimes it's better to slow down by applying the brakes early.
- Avoid blowing by others, try to pass them about 5 mph faster and let them know of your intentions. In some situations such as passing a semi trailer truck or narrowing of the road coming up, use your judgment if it's best to move out of danger sooner. Be aware when hitting standing water, trucks can displace a lot of water such that if the spray hits your car and in combination with wind or slippery conditions, your car might start to wiggle.
- Keep all your windows clean. If you've got bugs on the windshield, the wipers can smear them. At night with oncoming headlights causing a hazy effect, your visibility can be greatly reduced. Ensure you have enough good windshield fluid. A good clean micro fiber cloth and quick detailing spray in the trunk can be useful to wipe the bugs off before it rains. If the window fogs up, don't forget to use the heater or A/C as per the situation.
