Important Tips for Caring for Your Tires in the Winter

While there are many parts of your car to check as the winter arrives, your tires are particularly important. The cold temperatures can affect your tire pressure and with the heavy snow and ice to deal with, it's important to make sure that your vehicle is up to the challenge. 

Here are some useful tips that will help you ensure that your tires will be as safe as possible on the winter roads.  

How much tread is left on your tires?
When driving in potentially slippery conditions, you'll need tires that will grip the road, which is why it's crucial to make note of how old your tires are and how much tread they have left. You can check the tread by placing a penny in the groove of the tire with Abraham Lincoln's head pointing down. If you can see the top of his head, it's time to replace the tire.

Even if your tires aren't worn down, you should still check them for uneven wear, as this can indicate that your alignment is off. Also, make sure your tires are rotated every 3,000-7,000 miles; doing this helps them to wear more evenly and extends their life.

Is your tire pressure sufficient?
Although you should check your tire pressure regularly, it is especially important to do so when the seasons change. The drop or rise in temperature affects your tire pressure: it usually increases in warmer months and decreases in colder ones.

In addition, your tire pressure is affected by not only the temperature outside, but the fluctuating levels of heat or cold throughout the day. Temperatures can drop drastically overnight and rise in the afternoon, so you should keep an eye on your pressure and check it more often during any extreme weather.  

Common winter tire care tips

• Set your tires to the pressure specified in your driver's manual.  
• Check and adjust your pressure in the morning and prior to driving. 
• Check your tires with a quality pressure gauge. Many vehicles today come equipped with a monitoring system that will alert you if your tires are losing pressure. You can also check your owner's manual or the sticker in your car.

As a highly recognized Toyota dealer in NJ, Autoland is dedicated to not only selling quality vehicles at unbeatable prices, but also providing excellent service. Stop by our Springfield location today to ensure you're prepared for the winter roads.