Vehicle Tire 101: What Every Owner Should Know

Winter can be especially harsh on your vehicle and that includes all four tires. With lots of sleet, snow, and ice to navigate through on the open road, you'll want to keep a close eye on your tires both before and during the winter ahead to ensure maximum safety and handling. Here are three tire tips to keep in mind for the upcoming winter.

Don't Delay When It Comes to Winter Tires

If you live in an area that gets cold in the winter but doesn't get a huge amount of snowfall, you might be tempted to push your luck and delay visiting your tire shop to get all-weather or winter tires installed on your vehicle. After all, delaying lets you keep that extra cash in your bank account a little longer. But the last thing you want is to suddenly be caught off-guard by the first big snowstorm of the year. Winter tires are designed to keep better contact with the road during bad conditions and you'll need every bit of that handling when the time comes.

Be Extra Diligent About Tire Pressure

If you are a good car owner, you are likely already checking the air pressure in your tires every once in a while. But it's especially critical to perform this maintenance task when it's cold out, as the winter weather can cause your tires to lose pressure at a faster clip. Get into the habit of checking the pressure each and every time you head to the gas station. Poor tire pressure could lead to difficulty with maneuverability and your control of the car.

Take Chains With You If Allowed

If your area is known for getting especially heavy snow, it can be beneficial to have some tire chains that you can put on when a major snowstorm is coming. That said, some areas of the country have ordinances banning the use of tire chains or only allowing them during an actual storm because of the damage they can do to the road. Research your area's regulations and if you are allowed, put enough chains in your trunk for all four tires. You never know when you might need some extra help making it through a blizzard.

 When it comes to winter driving, your first step should be to get a decent set of winter or all-weather tires installed as soon as possible. Be diligent about tire pressure all winter long and don't hesitate to use tire chains for those especially bad days, as long as it's legal in your area. For more information, head to your local tire shop today.