With winter around the corner, you’re likely strapped for time preparing your home for the onslaught. You’ve got energy bills to audit, firewood to pile up…it’s neverending work for a seemingly neverending snowfall.
How is your car faring, though? The only thing that needs more work than your driveway are your tires, especially if you haven’t swapped them out in a while. American roads are dangerous enough as it is without adding lackluster tires to the mix! Before tire sales get more expensive, consider swinging by your local tire shop and asking for some quotes. You’ll be surprised by how much money — and time — you’ll save by getting your winter tires early.
Off-road tire sales or mud-terrain tires? Is it worth getting a spare? Let’s take a look at what goes into preparing your vehicle for the winter.
Analyze Your Lifestyle To See Which Tire Type Is Most Accurate
What works for one person may not be great for the next. That’s because your vehicle matches your lifestyle closely, from its model to the tires it uses. The four main types of off-road tires are all-terrain, mud-terrain, snow (winter), and sand — these are typically described by a measurement of their outer diameter, in inches. Tires that measure 33 inches or larger make crawling along rocks and coasting down trails easier. This is due to the additional clearance, providing more surface coverage for a smoother result.
Grab A Spare Tire And Ask For Some Emergency Switching Tips
No tire replacement is complete without a spare. While you may be convinced this is a waste of money, you’ll be glad you have a back-up plan in the event of a flat tire! Used tires for sale are a year-round event, so take an hour or two this week to visit your tire shop and seek a spare. These are attached to your back door and should ideally be the same type as the tires you’re currently using (that means no spare sand tire for mud-terrain tires). Your tire shop professional can set you up for tire change tips, too.
Get Your Winter Tires Early For A Potential Discount
Has the snow hit yet? It might be time to get winter tires, anyway, so you can stay ahead of the curve. Some insurance plans will even give ou a discount on your policy if you take the initiative and stay prepared. Winter tires have a cumulative effect — not only do they improve your control on slippery roads, they reduce the risk of an accident significantly. This keeps you and other drivers safe during one of the most dangerous times of year.
Ask For A Timely Tire Rotation Or Tire Alignment Check
You’ve got your spare tire sales in and you’re thinking of getting your winter tires early…now what? If you want your tires to last as long as possible, make sure you’ve got your tire alignment completed. This does the essential work of putting equal strain on all of your tires, preventing them from wearing out prematurely. It’s recommended by most professionals today you get your alignment checked once per year or once you’ve finished a tire rotation. Get your tire rotation every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.
Learn How To Spot The Warning Signs Of A Damaged Tire
It never hurts to be careful. The tricky thing about tires is they can seem perfectly inflated and ready to go at a glance, but actually be damaged when you get behind the wheel. In fact, a tire can lose up to 20% of its air and still appear fine to the naked eye! Common signs your tire has a problem includes difficulty steering, an odd shape, and the car having a tough time starting up. If you suspect you have a damaged tire — even a little — take it to your tire shop.
Tires are your best tool in an unforgiving winter. Prepare for the snow early and snag those tire sales while they’re still hot!