Preparing your Vehicle’s tires for Summer!

Who is ready to open those windows and enjoy the breeze?  Go on summer vacation, take the boat out on the water and work on their spring and summer tires.  You heard me right; did you know that you need to alter your tires by the season?  

Let’s get those tires ready!  Here is everything you need to know about updating your tires for spring.  

Proper Tire Tread

Tire tread is very important on the snow, but also in the rain. The law requires our tires to be at least 2/32”.  There are indicators on our tires in North America called wear bars that help indicate when it is time to replace our tires.  I think the easiest way to gauge this though, is with a penny.  Turn the penny, so Lincoln’s head is facing down, and place into the tread.  If Lincoln’s head is partially covered, you have enough tread in your tire.  You can also use a quarter.  Turn the quarter, so Washington’s head is facing down, and place into the tread.  If part of Washington’s head is covered by the tire, you have more than 4/32” tread remaining. You will want to test multiple areas on the tire, as well as all of your tires.  You can gauge uneven wear and tear on them by doing this.  

In the winter, on the snowy terrain, our tires should have a minimum remaining tread of 5/32”.  This allows the snow to compact under the tire and be released.  If there is not enough tread, it will reduce the vehicles traction and mobility, causing more accidents.  Spring tires, should have a minimum remaining tread of 4/32”.  Spring brings rain, which bring hydroplaning.  Typically people who experience hydroplaning during the rain, will have tires that don’t meet this minimum tread requirement.  If the tread is too low, there is nowhere for the rain to escape causing your tire to ride on top of the water.  

Tire Pressure

Did you know that the pressure in your tires should be 3-5 PSI higher in the winter?  Winter provides a host of not so fun driving conditions.  From ice to snow and everything in between, we are sometimes less responsive than on dry roads.  The 3-5 PSI higher helps our tires offset the less responsive driving and also provides more stability to the tire when driving through ice and snow.  

Tire pressures are meant to be tested on cold tires!  This means that the pressure might be skewed if you test after you have been driving all day, or if your car was stored in the garage all night.  Be consistent when testing the pressure of your tires.  Remember that the air in our tires will expand when it is hot, and contract when it is cold.   So keep in mind, PSI in our tires is going down in winter and going up in summer!