Are Your Tires in Athens County, OH Ready for Winter?

When the icy, snowy weather hits, it will be of the utmost importance that the tires on your car allow you to travel safely on the treacherous roads. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to make sure that your tires in Athens County, OH are ready for everything that comes their way this winter.

Tread depth

In order to navigate the slippery, wet conditions that winter brings, your tires must have sufficient tread. It is the tread that helps to funnel the water and snow that you may encounter when driving from underneath your tires outward, which allows your tires to maintain proper contact with the road at all times. If your tires lack the appropriate amount of tread, the water will not be able to drain fast enough, and it might become difficult for your tire to sustain contact with the road, causing you to hydroplane. This becomes even more dangerous when driving on already slick roads.

If you want to check out your tread depth before heading to the auto repair shop, you can use the tried and true penny technique at home. Take a penny and place it in the tire’s tread groove with Lincoln’s head facing downward. If part of his head is covered, then your tire’s tread is sufficient. However, if you can see all of Lincoln’s head on the penny, it is time to look in to tire replacement options for your worn tread.

Tire age

While most tire companies recommend that you replace your tires every 6 to 10 years, your specific driving habits and exposure to different weather conditions will determine what is right for you. A visit to an auto repair shop can help inform you if your tires can likely make it to this benchmark, or if you will need replacement sooner.

As you get your car’s tires ready for winter, it is also important to remember not to neglect your spare tire that has been sitting around for a while. Even if you have brand new tires on your car, weather presents all kinds of unforeseen occurrences, and making sure that your spare tire is just as ready as the rest of your tires will be key should you ever need to put it to use.

Tire options

If you know that the winter in your particular area can get pretty bad, you might want to look in to winter tire options that provide extra protection. Winter tires are designed to provide maximum traction, with an additional focus on improved traction on ice and snow. If your area normally gets more rain than snow during the winter, you might not need snow tires, but instead would benefit from tires that are built with extra tread depth to help prevent hydroplaning.

No matter which option you chose, it is important to make sure that your tires in Athens County, OH will be ready when the inclement weather and challenging driving conditions present themselves. Pay us a visit at Dana’s Tire Center and allow us to help make sure that your car is as prepared for the winter weather as possible!

Categorised in: Tires

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