Now that we are getting well into the coldest part of the year it may be time to get some new Winter Tires. Are you new to an area with cold winter and need some information on changing over? It is important to be aware of when it’s time to put your winter tires on and when to take them off.
The Benefits of Winter-Tires
The All-Season Tires that we’ve been running on all year are working great and as the name says they are made for ALL SEASON right? Right, but it is important to know that all-season tires are made for moderate weather conditions. During the cold weather seasons the tread rubber on your all-season tires will stiffen and this prevents them from providing the proper traction needed. Winter-tires are made to stay flexible in colder temperatures which provides better traction, keeping you safe on unexpected hard stops and over black ice. Deeper tread depths and tread patterns allow for reduced snow build up and channel snow/slush, eliminating water. So if you live in an area that is expecting regularly cold temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit or expect to be driving on cold icy/snowy roads daily it is time to change over.
When is the best time to change to Winter-Tires?
The best way to determine this is to keep in mind the daily temperatures during your common commute. If the temperature is consistently below 45 degrees fahrenheit you’ll want to get those winter-tires on. Also take into consideration the time of day you are commuting. Are you leaving for work in the middle of the night when temperatures are in the low 40’s? Or going home when temperatures have once again dropped? Don’t just look at the the weather “high” of the day look at the weather for when you’re on the road to ensure your safety.
When is it time to change out of Winter Tires.
It is important to know when to switch out of your winter-tires to maximize tread life. It’s also pretty simple, switch to your all-season tires when temperatures are consistently above 45 degrees. Again, take into consideration those late-night/early-morning temperatures. If you have summer tires that you will be switching into it’s best to wait until the weather is above 50 degrees on a daily basis(so use all-season in the meantime) as summer-tires work better in warmer conditions.
Storing tires
All-season, Winter, Summer… So many tires in rotation we want to make sure they are properly stored to ensure they last as long as possible.
To properly store away your tires you’ll first want to clean them. Soap, water, tire brush. Once they have been properly cleaned you’ll want to find a cool, dry area to store them in. Tires store best in a climate-controlled area so it’s best not to leave them outside where the sun and weather changes can be harmful. You can either purchase tire storage bags or simply use garbage bags you have at home that you can wrap airtight. Once each tire is wrapped they will either need to be (without rims)stacked or (with rims)placed vertically next to each other.