PREPARING YOUR TIRES FOR WINTER
The advent of winter can create challenging and risky driving conditions with icy snow-covered roads. Not only is it stressful and more difficult to drive, but the winter weather can also be dangerous if your car’s tires are not prepared for winter. To ensure your safety this winter season, here are some tips to keep your tires firmly on the road.
Properly inflate your tires.
Your car’s handling is impacted if your tires are not inflated to the correct pressure. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), your tires lose air pressure when it gets cold outside. So, as the winter season progresses, it’s essential to routinely check your tire pressure and adjust as needed.
Check the treads on your tires.
Tread is what helps your vehicle’s tires grip the road. Make it a habit to check your car’s tires, including the spare! According to the NHTSA, this should be done once a month. If you find that the tires have uneven tread or are showing signs of excessive wear, it’s time to replace your tires.
But what is excessive wear? The NHTSA states that tread depth should never fall below 2/32 of an inch. A good test of tire tread is to hold a penny between your forefinger and thumb and place it into one of the grooves on your tire. If any part of Lincoln’s head is obstructed, your tread is still good! If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it’s time for new tires right away.
Look into winter tires.
Winter tires aren’t just for extremely snowy and icy areas. Colder temperatures all over the country can cause regular tire traction to become compromised, even on dry roads. If you’d like to invest in winter tires, you can choose from all-weather tires, winter tires, or studded tires. All-weather tires can handle all four seasons easily, winter tires have large treads and narrow grooves for better traction on snowy roads, and studded tires have small metal pieces within the tread to better grip icy roads.
Keep in mind that regulations pertaining to tires and winter travel can vary from one area to another. If you live in or plan to drive in an area with heavy snowfall, high elevations, below freezing temperatures, etc. you should familiarize yourself with local winter tire laws and regulations.
Remember that your trusted mechanics here at Quality Plus Automotive are here to help in any way we can. If you have questions about your tires, give us a call and set up an appointment!