Your winter tires are done? Here are some warning signs

October 28 2020,

Your winter tires are done? Here are some warning signs

Winter tires are of paramount importance for our safety in the winter, but do they still have to be good? How do you know if your winter tires are finished? Here are three warning signs.


1 - The tread


When new, a little offers a tread depth of about 14/32nd of an inch. As it rolls, it wears out and after a number of years, it reaches a critical point in its existence; the point where it is no longer able to evacuate snow and water. At 50% wear, it is recommended to change its tires, so if the depth is 7/32nds. To check it, there are tools available, but you can use a good old coin technique. Examples abound on the Internet depending on the type of coin used.


2 - The behavior of your tire


Have you noticed at the end of last winter that your vehicle before tends to spin more, to slip more than normal, to skid more often? If so, it's because your tire's properties no longer have the same effectiveness, whether due to tread wear or the effects of time. At the slightest sign, don't hesitate to make a change; it's a matter of safety.


3 - Where are you driving?


If your geographic location suddenly changes, the type of roads you will be driving on weekly may be fundamentally different. If this is the case, make sure you have the right tire for the right conditions. If your vehicle was equipped with winter tires designed to be effective on dry and wet surfaces, but you now travel in deep snow most of the time, a tire change may be worth considering. This can also happen if you buy a used car that already has winter tires; these may not be ideal for your use.