How to care for your tires this winter.
Because winter driving conditions are the toughest that you will face all year, it’s important that you take steps to improve your road safety. One of the best ways to reduce your chances of skidding and getting into an accident is by maintaining your car’s tires. Here’s how to care for your tires this winter.
- Watch Out for Underinflation
Under normal conditions, tires can lose one psi (pounds per square inch) of pressure per month. However, as temperatures drop, the air inside your tires condenses, making your tire pressure drop far more drastically. When your tires are underinflated, they get too much traction on the road. This, in turn, will cause them to deteriorate faster. Not only will this end up costing you in the form of tire replacements, but it could also lead you to drive with worn tread, increasing your chances of skidding.
- Replace Tires with Worn Down Tread
During winter, drivers need to check their tire tread much more frequently—about once a month. To be considered safe, your tread should be at least 2/32 inch deep. A good way to test the depth of your tread is by inserting a penny into the tread groove. If your tread is deep enough to cover Lincoln’s head, then you should be okay. However, if the tread is so worn down that it leaves Lincoln’s head exposed, then you need to replace your tires as soon as possible.
- Consider Winter Tires
If you live in a particularly cold area of the country, then you may want to consider getting winter tires on your car. Winter tires are a great option for drivers because they are made of a thick rubber that is less susceptible to the negative effects of cold weather. Additionally, these tires feature deeper tread that allows them to get a better grip on the road.
These are some of the things you should do to care for your tires this winter. Want another way to stay safe behind the wheel? Then make sure you have the right auto insurance in place. For assistance with all your car coverage needs, contact the experts at Mike Leonard Insurance Agency. Our dedicated team is eager to find you the right coverage from one of our many carriers, including: Kemper, State Auto, MetLife, Nationwide, Travelers, The Hartford, Safeco Insurance, Progressive, and American Strategic Insurance.