How to Snow Proof Your Tires

When driving in the snow, your tires are the first line of defense against the harsh conditions. At their best, tires provide grip and traction, preventing your vehicle from skidding and sliding on snow-covered roads. To ensure your tires are ready to tackle the snow and ice, here’s a guide on how to snow-proof your tires.

Equip Your Car With Winter Tires

If you encounter snowy or icy conditions regularly in the winter, it’s a good idea to get snow tires for your vehicle. While summer tires are rigid and all-season models are semi-rigid, snow tires have the softest rubber. Thanks to a more malleable rubber and a unique tread pattern, snow tires conform to the road to provide more surface-to-surface contact between the tire and the ground. As a result, you experience stronger grip and better traction.

If you’re unsure which snow tires are right for your vehicle, head to your local dealership. The technicians can help you choose tires that will provide the best performance in winter weather.

Evaluate Your Treads

Whether you switch tires or not, you want to keep tabs on your tread’s condition, because it helps your tires grip the road. Deep treads are critical when driving in the snow, because the troughs in the tread squeeze and release the snow as the wheel turns, reducing the chances of fishtailing or spinning out. It’s best for tires to wear evenly rather than exclusively on one side. If you do see uneven wear, take your vehicle to the dealership for a tire rotation and realignment.

There’s another way to check your tread besides doing a cursory visual inspection. Hold a penny between your thumb and index finger so that Lincoln’s head is visible. Next, put the top of Lincoln’s head into a groove in your tire’s tread. As long as some part of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread groove, the central part of your tire’s tread is in good shape.

Check Tire Pressure Regularly

To ensure your tires provide optimal performance in the snow, you need to make sure they’re inflated properly. For every 10-degree drop in temperature, tires lose one pound per square inch of pressure. Even though that seems like a minor drop in pressure, it’s important to remember that small changes can create major safety hazards, especially when there’s snow on the roadways. Checking tire pressure is as simple as using a tire pressure gauge, which costs anywhere from $5 to $40, depending on the kind of gauge. Digital gauges are the best because they provide a reading on a display.

Besides helping your tires perform better in snow, keeping your tires inflated at the right level increases fuel efficiency and the tire’s lifespan. Your vehicle’s owner’s manual should include information on the proper pressure for your tires. If not, you can check with your dealership.

By getting winter tires, evaluating the tread, and checking pressure, you can ensure your tires are ready to take on the next snow storm that heads your way.