Tire Maintenance: How to Tell if Your Tires are Ready for Winter

Getting your car ready for winter is one of the most important things you can do this time of year. Sometimes taking those few extra steps to make sure you’re prepared for the coming winter months can mean the difference between a life-and-death situation.

As a Minnesota driver, you want to make sure you’ve got your car stocked with everything you need in case of an emergency, like cat litter, rock salt, flares, and a blanket. But after you’ve packed up your ride for the winter, don’t forget to make sure your tires are in good shape for the road. The last thing you want is to spend your winter sliding and skidding in unsafe road conditions.

In this post from Mobile Installation in Brooklyn Park, MN, we’re breaking down everything you need to know to get your tires ready for winter this year. To get your new tire installation now, give us a call today.

1.   Examine Your Tread

Take a good look at the tread on each of your tires and check your tread depth at the outer and inner edges and then at the center. Use a penny to conduct the test. Place it inside a groove with the head positioned into the groove. If you can’t see all of Lincoln’s head, your good, but if you can, you’ve got a problem.

Those measurements also need to be the same across each measurement. If they’re not, your vehicle has uneven wear. This may be due to a number of factors including your tires being out of alignment or underinflated.

2.   Have Your Tires Rotated or Balanced

Now is a good time to take your car into the shop and have your tires rotated or balanced. This helps prevent uneven wear on your tires and evenly distributes the weight of your vehicle.

3.   Check Your Tire Pressure

Most drivers are pretty bad about remembering to check the air pressure in their tires. Once the weather starts to get cooler, it’s important to check your tire pressure and add some air as needed. Anytime the temperature drop exceeds ten degrees, you should make a point to add air to your tires. Low tire pressure is extremely dangerous on winter streets.

4.   Consider Investing in Snow Tires

Snow tires are one of the best investments you can make if you live in Minnesota during the winter months and you drive regularly. Snow tires have added tread and are designed to perform better in colder temperatures. If you don’t plan to invest in snow tires, you’ll want to make sure you’ve got snow chains handy for when you need them.

Get Your Snow Tires for Minnesota Winter Weather

The last place you want to be when you realize your car isn’t ready for winter is stuck in the snow. To get your new tires or snow tires, give Mobile Installation a call at 612-986-3332 or connect with us online to get a free quote today.