Whether it is your first winter as a licensed driver and car owner or you have just recently moved here, where conditions are a bit wintrier than you’re used to, winter car tire knowledge is an important asset you will need to be as safe as possible. Continue below to review some frequently asked questions about car tires and winter weather, from tire pressure and routine care to snow tires, standard tires, tire replacement, and more!
Winter Car Tire FAQS We All Need to Know
How Do I Check My Tire Pressure?
Tire pressure is incredibly important in terms of road safety, driving safety, and car care. Tires should not be overinflated nor underinflated. In the winter, tire pressure tends to drop significantly due to the colder temperatures. In fact, it is recorded that tires lose 1 psi of tire pressure for every 10 degree Fahrenheit the temperature drops.
For this reason, it is important to check your tire pressure on a monthly basis. Use any standard tire pressure gauge, either manual or digital. Simply volume manufacturers’ instructions in your vehicle’s owners’ manual.
Your vehicle, especially if it’s a newer model, should have a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that monitors the air pressure in your tires. This system will notify you through an illuminated icon on your dashboard whenever your tire pressure is too low or too high.
What are the Benefits of Snow Tires?
Snow tires, or winter tires, deliver a wide range of benefits. They are designed to have a more flexible tread rubber compound, which allows for better traction and stability on wet or slippery road surfaces. Whether ice, freezing rain, slush, hail, or snow, having a set of winter tires will protect you against losing control of your vehicle due to the wintry conditions.
Do I Need Snow Tires?
Whether or not you need snow tires really depends on your personal driving habits. If you live here in Indiana where snow and wintry conditions are virtually guaranteed year after year, winter tires are a wise investment. They will also serve you well through the fall and well into the spring, during raining conditions. If you do not drive very often, all-season tires may be the best option.
Should I Remove Winter Tires for the Summer?
Winter tires, or snow tires, are meant for the icy, freezing conditions of the winter season. So, once the temperatures begin to steadily rise, it is important to swap out your snow tires for some summer or all-season tires. Then, swap them back out again once temperatures start to drop in the late fall.
Do My Tires Have to Be the Same Brand?
When replacing a tire or two, you may wonder if you need to stick with the same brand. Well, you do not, but it is highly recommended. Overall, so long as all tires are the same size and relatively the same tread wear, the brand of the tire should not make much of a difference.
Have you just totaled your vehicle as a result of winter conditions, and you have no idea what you’re going to do next? Contact Benjamin’s Junk Cars at 317-218-7133 for free junk car removal in Indianapolis, Indiana. Not only will we tow your car away from the accident for free, but we will pay you cash on the spot if you sell it to us!
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