Top Signs Your Car Needs Tires Before Winter Strikes
We have avoided looking ahead all summer long. It feels as though we never got to enjoy spring and summer was over way too fast this year.
Like it or not, the fact remains that the weather is turning colder, bit by bit, every day. You can ignore old man winter for only so long before you must face facts and ask some hard questions, such as does my car need new tires?
In the carefree, warm summer months, most people can skate by on the thinnest of tires. What the heck, a can of Fix-a-Flat, and the heck with tire worries.
You can’t get by with that attitude, or those tires during a hard Chicago winter.
Do you really need new tires, though? How can you tell? As long as they aren’t bald, aren’t they still OK? Should you buy snow tires or are all-season tires OK?
No one likes to think about the expense of new tires but your entire car (not to mention the safety of your family) is riding on those tires. Do you trust them that much?
Let’s take a look at whether you need tires, snow tires, or if you are in good shape for the upcoming winter.
New Tires: To Buy or Not to Buy
One thing that will help you with your decision to buy new tires or not is a tiny device called a tire depth gauge. You can find these at nearly every automotive store or online.
This small device allows you to measure the depth of the tire tread on your vehicle. Most new tires will have somewhere between 8 to 98 millimeters of tread (10/32 to 11/332 of an inch).
When your tires have reached 2 millimeters or less (3/32) they lack grip and strength.
Tires can also wear out from age, even if the tread is fine. Salt air, environmental pollution, air pollution, chemicals, and especially sunlight can cause the rubber on the sidewalls to crack, dry out, and split.
Inspect your tires carefully. Use your tool to measure the tread depth. Inspect the tread on the inside of the tires as well as the outside, then inspect the sidewalls.
Tires that have 3 millimeters or less of tread life left are not safe winter tires. The same is true of the sidewalls. If you see splitting or cracking, or if you can see that the inside of the tire has worn out faster than the outside of the tire, you will need new tires before severe winter weather strikes.
The good news here is that nearly all tire shops have sales in the fall since most people replace tires either just before winter hits or just before summer.
The Three Questions Every Car Owner Should Ask
It’s just hitting the freezing mark on some nights right now, but it will be hitting zero and below in a matter of weeks.
When it comes to your vehicle, the last thing you want is to be stranded somewhere in sub-zero weather with a blown-out tire.
Ask yourself the following three questions:
- What is the tread depth on my tires right now? Use your gauge to answer this question. Tire readings of 3 millimeters or less mean you need tires before the end of the month. If your tires have 5 millimeters or more, you can probably relax until next summer.
- Are my low tire indicators coming on? This is another sign of worn-out tires. As temperatures drop, tire pressure can also drop. However, if you are constantly adding air to your tires, chances are that your tires are cracking or the valve stem is worn out, allowing air to leak continually. Again, you should seriously consider buying new tires before the end of the month.
- When was the front end of my car last aligned? If your tires seem OK but the steering wheel doesn’t feel as stable or if you are hearing bumping or clunking sounds when you go over bumps or when you stop, chances are that you need a front end alignment or possibly some front end work. A front-end alignment will not only give you better control, but it can increase the life of your tires.
If you are unsure about your tires or if you have questions about the stability of your vehicle, don’t hesitate to bring your vehicle to Hong Kong Auto Service for an inspection.
About Snow Tires
Although there are no laws requiring you to buy snow tires, many people in the greater Chicago area do, and for good reason.
Snow tires are easily identified by the symbols “M&S” (mud and snow) markings on the tire itself. Some models use a small picture of a mountain with a snowflake inside of it.
Snow tires can get as much as 50 percent more traction than the average all-season tire. When you are driving in a blizzard or those deep snowdrifts begin to pile up on the road, you want all the traction you can get, right?
These types of tires can also make your car stop 42 percent quicker than regular tires.
We understand why many people forgo snow tires; they can be expensive. However, when stored properly, snow tires can last for many years. Switching tires twice a year can be a pain, but this also means that you can double the life of your tires since they are only used part of the year.
By the way, if you have a 4WD or all-wheel drive vehicle, that does not mean that you cannot or do not need snow tires. All-wheel drive vehicles do give you a better grip on the road, but they cannot make up for bald or worn-out tires.
The Bottom Line
New tires are an expense no one likes to think about, but everything, and we do mean everything, is riding on your tires. Do you feel safe with your current tires? Would you allow your children to ride in a vehicle with tires such as the ones on your car?
A tread depth measuring tool and a good inspection of your tires should give you an answer. If you still have doubts or if you want to buy new tires but aren’t sure which kind is best, take a little time and stop by Hong Kong Auto Service.
Our experts will be happy to inspect your tires and advise you of their overall condition. If you need new tires, we can make recommendations to keep you and your family safe.
We also do front end alignments and repairs, to make your driving experience safe and comfortable. Whenever you buy new tires, you should always have the front end inspected and aligned to get the most out of your tire dollar.