Everything You Need To Know About Winter Tire Safety

Everything You Need To Know About Winter Tire Safety

February 26, 2023

One of the essential parts of preparing for the winter is ensuring that your car is ready to operate safely. Thus, tire safety should be a priority. These tips are for getting your vehicle prepared to handle the winter roads and keeping you and your passengers safe during the most challenging weather.

Ensure You Have the Right Tires

The first part of the process should be checking to ensure that you have the correct type of tires for the season. Typically, three main tire types exist: all-season, winter, and all-weather. All-season tires are the most common because they’re versatile and less expensive. However, they are not the best tires to choose from if you live in an area that gets lots of ice and snow. 

All-weather tires are good for drivers who want to avoid changing their tires from all-season to winter each year. They’re equipped for snowy weather and work well in warm or regular temperatures as well. 

Winter tires are designed to withstand freezing temperatures and drive smoothly over ice and snow. Thus, you’d be wise to invest in winter tires if you live in a location that experiences excessive snow and ice. 

Check Your Pressure and Tread

Once you know you have the right tires, the next step is to ensure that your tire pressure is correct. The recommended tire pressure is on the label inside the door jamb. The label will let you know how much PSI of air you need in your tires. You can then take the time to fill in each one appropriately.

You’ll also need to ensure your car is safe by having someone check the tire tread, as you’re probably asking, "How do I know if my tires are safe?. How much tire tread is safe for winter?" You need to have at least 2/32 of an inch for your vehicle to be considered "safe" for traveling. However, it’s advisable to consider purchasing new tires if it’s lower than 5/32 of an inch. You may not feel comfortable operating your vehicle with less tread than that. 

Get Your Tires Checked for Issues

Have someone inspect your tires thoroughly and check for common problems that may lower your vehicle’s safety. Someone should check your tires for dry rot spots, bubbles, and protruding metals. All those issues indicate a severe problem you need to have someone address immediately. 

Get Updated Rotation and Balancing

You’ll also need to get certain services done on your car. Tire rotations allow your vehicle to wear the tires evenly, and balancing ensures that you always have a smooth ride. Your owner’s manual will explain how frequently you need someone to perform these services. You can keep yourself and your passengers safe by following the guidelines and taking your car into a shop to have them done regularly. 

Use the tips mentioned above, and your car will be prepared to handle any situation. Follow the guidelines closely for the most effective results. 

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