When was the last time you checked your tires?
When was the last time you checked your tires? Air pressure is only one thing to check. How do you determine safe tread on your tires? As we get closer to winter, it’s important to remember the tread on your tire is what makes the contact patch on the road.
In northern climates, it is important to keep at least 4/32s of tread to be effective in our weather conditions. The wearbar on a tire is at 2/32s and is the point the tire becomes illegal to operate on Wisconsin roads. 2/32s is also found using a penny in the tread channel. If you see all Lincoln’s head, it’s illegal. The easy way to check for 4/32s is with a quarter. Insert a quarter into the tread channel and if you can see all Washington’s head, it’s time to replace the tire for winter.
Tires also come in many different types. Some tires are season specific, such as summer or winter and snow tires. Some tires are all-season or all-weather. Those tires do not need to change when weather changes if there is enough tread. Summer performance tires are designed to work best in temperatures above 50 degrees. Winter or Snow tires are best when temperatures are below 50 degrees.
If you are checking the side of your tires and see an M+S or a small picture of a mountain, your tire is approved or designed for traction in mud or snow. This is found on dedicated winter or snow tires as well as all-season or all-weather tires.
Choosing the right tire for your driving style and the conditions can be tricky, but there are experts to help. Silver Lake Auto & Tire Centers has trained service advisors who are kept up to date on many makes and models of tires specific for your vehicle.
If you have any questions about tires, reach out to the experts at Silver Lake Auto & Tire Centers.
This tire needs to be replaced soon
This tire is safe to drive in most weather conditions