Tips for Choosing the Right Tires for Winter
If you haven’t changed all-season tires for winter tires yet, you should do that as soon as possible. If you do not plan on changing out the tires, make sure the all-season tires on your vehicles have plenty of tread. The last thing you need is to get stuck because you have the wrong tires or have very little tread. If you are ready for new tires or to switch to winter tires, contact Little Wolf Auto in Waupaca WI for an appointment.
All-Season Tires vs. Winter Tires
Winter tires are made of softer rubber, which gives you a better grip in snow. The downside of this is that they wear out faster. However, if you only drive on surface roads, winter tires will make your vehicle safer and last for several seasons.
All winter tires and some all-season tires have special tread that is better equipped for pushing snow, slush and water away from the tires, so they have a better grip on the road. Not all all-season tire is manufactured to do this for snow.
If you do a lot of highway driving, you might be better off with all-season tires since the rubber is stiffer – but you give up the grip that winter tires have. Regardless of what you choose, the tire should have deep treads to better push snow out from under the tires.
Which Tire is Best for Me?
Your choice of tire depends on several factors, including the type of roads you drive on and the amount of snow you get. If you do more of your driving on roads that are cleared immediately, especially highways, you could get away with all-season tires. However, if you drive on surface roads that are often not cleared right away, especially in rural areas, winter tires are a better choice. They could keep you from sliding off the road. Since studded tires are illegal for most vehicles, you have to rely on the tire tread to give you plenty of traction.
Getting Ready for Winter
In addition to making sure you have good tires on your vehicle, you should inspect it for other problems before winter fully hits. Our tire shops in Waupaca WI will also check your vehicle to ensure:
- The fluids are topped off, and you have no leaks.
- The brake system is in good condition, including the pads, rotors, brake lines, master cylinder, shoes, drums, and wheel cylinders.
- The belts and hoses are in good condition.
- The steering, suspension, and CV axles are in good condition. Some suspension problems could cause the tires to be out of alignment, which could be a major problem when driving on slippery roads.
- All filters are changed or are clean.
While your vehicle is in the shop, we will also check the tires to ensure that you have plenty of tread or if you should switch to winter tires.
Contact Little Wolf Auto
If you are ready for new tires or if you are unsure as to whether you need new tires yet, contact Little Wolf Auto to discuss winter tires in Waupaca WI.
