Winter weather impact on tires: How and why to get them checked

ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) - Our hometowns have experienced snow, ice, and below-freezing temperatures during these winter months. While everyone is focused on staying warm, have you considered checking your car tires to ensure safety on the roads?

As temperatures drop below 45 degrees, all-season tires begin losing traction and grip. This can lead to dangerous situations in cold or wet conditions.

“We want to do air pressure checks monthly on your tires. Every 10 degrees the temperature changes will affect your tire pressure by 1 pound. Being prepared in advance is going to keep you from rushing in to get it checked,” said Discount Tire Cave Spring Manager Adam Duns.

Now is the perfect time to inspect your tires. But what exactly should you look for?

“Checking the age of the tires, including your spares, is important to prepare for winter driving. Also, look at the tires themselves. Make sure you don’t see any cracking, bumps, cuts, or tread depth as well. So, you can use a penny to check the tread depth,” said Duns.

“You’re going to turn the penny upside down, and you’re going to place it in each of the tread blades. You’re going to look at that, and if at any point you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, uncovered by the tread, that lets you know that this tire is no longer safe for service and should be replaced,” said a Discount Tire worker.

Duns said drivers should consider winter tires for the colder months.

“Winter tires have different compounds, so they are designed to be more flexible during freezing temperatures. The stopping distance is much shorter on a winter tire than on a regular all-season tire. It’s also designed to be driven in snow, slush, and ice, so it’s a much safer option for you during the winter months,” said Duns.

If you want to save time and money or need help with your tires, Discount Tire offers free services.

“We do free tire pressure checks here for you. We do free tire inspections, free tire rotations, and tire repairs. So, anything needed, and you don’t have to have tires purchased from us. We’ll take care of the community. We do those things free of charge to make sure that you’re safe,” said Duns.

It’s recommended to replace tires every six years or when tread depth reaches 4/32 of an inch.