How Will Your Tires Fare In The Winter?

The weather can have a major impact on your vehicle and how you are able to maneuver in it. In order to get around during the winter when the snow is falling, you need to prepare your vehicle for it properly. One of the biggest components that will affect your travels are your tires. Your tires will either help you in maneuvering around those wintry roads or hinder you from getting where you need to be. The last thing you want to do is head out on a snowy road unsure if your tires are ready. By preparing ahead, you and your vehicle will be much safer. Here are some tips to help ensure you have prepared your tires for the winter ahead. 

Determine What Tires You Need

The selection of tires you can find are almost endless. About 95% of tires are called all season tires. These are mainly to be used in cold and rainy weather. If your winters are mild, you could get by with using these types of tires all year long. For those with more extreme winters, you will want to look at getting all weather tires. These handle snow and ice better. Some drivers choose to have a separate set of winter tires available for when the cold weather hits. Winter tires have better grip and handling making it easier to get through the snow and ice. 

Check Your Tread Depth

You should routinely inspect your tires to make sure they are not wearing down too quickly and the wear remains even across the tire. Once this has been done, you should check your tread depth to ensure that your tires will be able to handle the roads properly. When the roads become slick, you require more tread on your tires to be able to grip the road and handle properly. Low tread can prove to be very dangerous on winter roads and cause you to slide around. In order to check the tread, you will need a penny. Place the penny into the tread with Lincoln's head face down. If any part of his head is covered, then you have enough tread. If you can see above the head, you will need to replace your tires. 

Inflate Your Tires

As the weather starts to change temperatures, you should keep an eye on your tire pressure. Your tires will lose about 1 to 2 PSIs for every 10 degrees the temperature drops. As the tire pressure decreases, it can be unsafe driving along roads that are slippery. With the right tire pressure, you will be able to handle the roads much better. You can check your owner's manual to find out what their suggested tire pressure is. Visit auto repair services for help and more tips. 


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