It’s no secret that driving conditions become much tougher in the wintertime. Skidding and wheel spinning are common occurrences, particularly for cars that aren’t equipped with proper tires. To prevent loss of control and accidents, it’s important to evaluate your personal tire needs and make any necessary changes before the first snowfall.
If you live in an area that doesn’t get much snow, it’s generally safe to leave your all-season tires on your car, so long as the tread is not worn down. If your tread is low, you should buy new tires, which is true at any time of the year. If your tires are in good shape, you may want to get them rotated as a precaution.
All-season tires are not designed to handle severe weather, so if you live in an area that gets hit hard with snow each year, you’ll need to buy snow tires. These tires have deep treads that can provide up to 50 percent more traction, which could be the difference between maintaining control and getting into an accident.
If you decide to buy snow tires, you must buy all four. Snow tires have different treads, compounds and designs than all-season tires, which can result in impaired handling and reaction if you only install two (on either the front or rear wheels). After all, the purpose of snow tires is to maintain control, and buying only two would render your purchase useless. Ensure that you buy the correct tire size for your car, which can be found in the owner’s manual.
Store your all-season tires in a dry place, like a garage. You’ll want to install them once again in the spring; then you can store your snow tires. This will prevent you from having to buy two sets of tires every year. With your new snow tires installed, check the air pressure every few weeks. The cold can cause pressure changes and the tires may need air a time or two to get through the winter.
Drive with safety in mind this winter. Call Prime Insurance Agency at (630) 539-0123 for more information on Schaumburg auto insurance.