By Parinita Singh, guest writer
With the winter weather in full motion, it is very important for your vehicle to be prepared for driving in cold and icy conditions. The last thing you’d want is to be stranded on the side of the road while there are freezing temps outside.
This is a quick guide about tire care during winter weather for Ohioans. Knowing this information will provide you with a sense of peace while you’re driving in the snowy conditions.
1. Check Tire Pressure
Regularly check your tire pressure. During cold temperatures, tire pressure can drop, which prevents your tire from “cutting” through the snow as it is designed to do.
A lot of the newer cars have a tire pressure gauge which indicates when tire pressure is down. But if you don’t have a newer vehicle, get a tire gauge and check tire pressure at least once a week. Refill air as needed but avoid over-inflating.
Pro tip: GetGo gas stations offer free air for tires.
2. Inspect Tread Depth
Ensure that you have enough tread depth to be able to drive in the winter weather. Tire tread will prevent your vehicle from slipping and sliding on the roads. Do the quarter test to check how much tread depth you have on your tires.
3. Rotate Tires Regularly
Tires should be rotated every 6 months or around every 5,000 miles to ensure there is even wear on all tires. This will also prevent your tread from wearing down quicker than it is designed for.
4. Consider Buying Winter Tires
If your tires have trouble driving through snow and ice, replacing your tires with winter tires during the winter will help tremendously. Winter tires have sipes in them which are little gaps that open as the tire rolls to push snow or water away from the tire’s contact area.
5. Drive Slowly
While driving, avoid sudden maneuvers and stops. Adjust your driving for winter by accelerating and braking smoothly. Give yourself plenty of time as you come to stops and to get to your destination.
If you feel your car sliding, NEVER PUSH ON THE BRAKE! Always feather tap on your brake to stop yourself from sliding.
Hope this helps as you venture out in the winter months. Drive safe!
Editor’s note: Parinita recently hosted Everyday Akron and shared a great post about winter tire care. The EA community responded to it really well, so we invited her to write a blog post. If you’re interested in writing a guest blog post, please reach out.
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