Tire Service: Winter Safety Tips.
16
Dec,
2014
With the snowy and icy conditions already hitting many parts of the county, many people have put their winter tires back into service. If you did not have them inspected by your mechanic for any necessary tire repair, be sure to schedule a tire service as soon as possible. For safety's sake, be sure the tread is sufficient for icy conditions, and that the inflation pressure is correct.
Remember to keep your winter tires on your vehicle until the temperature is consistently above 45°F and driving conditions have improved. Then, you will want to replace them with either summer or all-season tires. Again, have them inspected and any necessary tire repair taken care of before installing them on your vehicle. If your winter tires have reached a remaining tread depth of approximately 4/32nds, you should consider replacing them before the next winter season. Put it in your budget now!
Safety Tips for Driving with Winter Tires:
- To help maintain stability and control of your vehicle in severe snow conditions, the RMA (Rubber Manufacturers Association) recommends installing winter tires in sets of fours to optimize the performance benefits. If winter tires are installed on the front axle of any vehicle, they must also be installed on the rear axle.
- Even if you have traction control or four-wheel drive on your vehicle, these features can offer a false sense of security in winter conditions. Traction control/ABS is designed for vehicle stability, power transmission and controlled braking. It does NOT optimize traction or grip during all types of winter driving maneuvers.
- Look for the Severe Snow Conditions Symbol when shopping for winter tires. It is located on the sidewall, indicating that the meets the snow traction standard recognized by the RMA (Rubber Manufacturers Association).
Please keep in mind that winter new tires are not made for year-round use. Once you have removed them, you'll have to store them until next winter. Keep them in a cool, dry and preferably shaded or dark location (ideally in a basement or garage). Store them raised up off the floor on a pallet or rack, sidewall to sidewall.
Remember: Before re-installing winter tires on your vehicle (or when it's time to install summer or all-season tires), have them inspected for possible damage and adequate tread depth.
Need tire repair on your winter tires? Contact our ASE-Certified Technicians by calling (308) 381-2295 or go on-line at https://www.garysautoinc.com/ for more information about tire service. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE and Doniphan, NE.
With the snowy and icy conditions already hitting many parts of the county, many people have put their winter tires back into service. If you did not have them inspected by your mechanic for any necessary tire repair, be sure to schedule a tire service as soon as possible. For safety's sake, be sure the tread is sufficient for icy conditions, and that the inflation pressure is correct.
Remember to keep your winter tires on your vehicle until the temperature is consistently above 45°F and driving conditions have improved. Then, you will want to replace them with either summer or all-season tires. Again, have them inspected and any necessary tire repair taken care of before installing them on your vehicle. If your winter tires have reached a remaining tread depth of approximately 4/32nds, you should consider replacing them before the next winter season. Put it in your budget now!
Safety Tips for Driving with Winter Tires:
- To help maintain stability and control of your vehicle in severe snow conditions, the RMA (Rubber Manufacturers Association) recommends installing winter tires in sets of fours to optimize the performance benefits. If winter tires are installed on the front axle of any vehicle, they must also be installed on the rear axle.
- Even if you have traction control or four-wheel drive on your vehicle, these features can offer a false sense of security in winter conditions. Traction control/ABS is designed for vehicle stability, power transmission and controlled braking. It does NOT optimize traction or grip during all types of winter driving maneuvers.
- Look for the Severe Snow Conditions Symbol when shopping for winter tires. It is located on the sidewall, indicating that the meets the snow traction standard recognized by the RMA (Rubber Manufacturers Association).
Please keep in mind that winter new tires are not made for year-round use. Once you have removed them, you'll have to store them until next winter. Keep them in a cool, dry and preferably shaded or dark location (ideally in a basement or garage). Store them raised up off the floor on a pallet or rack, sidewall to sidewall.
Remember: Before re-installing winter tires on your vehicle (or when it's time to install summer or all-season tires), have them inspected for possible damage and adequate tread depth.
Need tire repair on your winter tires? Contact our ASE-Certified Technicians by calling (308) 381-2295 or go on-line at https://www.garysautoinc.com/ for more information about tire service. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE and Doniphan, NE.
Gary Starkey
Gary Starkey
