When should I switch to snow tires?
“The correct time to change to winter tires is when the temperature drops below seven degrees Celsius. This is the point where your summer tires will begin to lose their grip, may fail to brake and will decline in performance and overall safety. They are not designed to sustain the fierce cold of winter.”
How to tell when your tires need replacing?
When to Replace Your Tires
- The CR Testing Difference. Consumer Reports tests more than 40 tire models every year—for cars, SUVs, and trucks—putting them through their paces in up to 12 tests, mostly on our ...
- Be an Informed Buyer. Before you start shopping, it’s good to know some tire basics. ...
- Hydroplaning. Hydroplaning is one of the scariest experiences a driver will face. ...
When is the best time to remove snow tires?
While you will most likely have all-season tires fitted to your vehicle, the industry recommendation is to switch to winter-specific tires when temperatures drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. For the purposes of this review, we chose to focus on stud-less “extreme winter” tires, which are most at home in snow and ice.
What are the best tires for snow?
Top 10 Best All-Season Tires for Snow and Ice
- Goodyear Assurance All-Season. In the top 10 best all-season tires, first place goes to the Assurance All-Season tire. ...
- Michelin Defender T+H. When it comes to performance in every kind of weather a Michelin tire has always been a safe choice.
- Bridgestone Turanza QuietTrack. ...
- Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady. ...
- Vredestein Quatrac 5. ...
Why Replace Tires for Winter Driving?
If you’ve ever seen a car sliding helplessly along an icy road, then you know how important it is to have the right tires during winter. Summer tires are not designed for snowy conditions, and all-season tires are able to offer some performance in cold, snowy weather.
Can I Get Just Two Winter Tires Installed?
It's tempting to save money by installing only two winter tires. But without a complete set, you can lose a significant amount of grip and steering control on the road. This won't just affect you; it can also put your passengers and other motorists at serious risk too.
What Temperature to Change to Winter Tires
So when should you change to winter tires? The general rule of thumb is around 45°F (7°C). The rubber compound on most regular tires begins to harden at this temperature and no longer grips the road as effectively.
Which Winter Tires Should You Choose?
So you’ve determined that winter tires are probably a good idea for your vehicle. But with so many options out there, which should you choose? On one hand, you have all-season tires with an “M+S'' rating (M + S stands for mud and snow). But these do not offer as good performance in harsh, wintry conditions.
Get Winter-Ready at Tires Plus
Get the right tires for the right season by scheduling winter tire replacement at your local Tires Plus. We've got the tires and the professional services you need to get back on the road!
How many car crashes are tire related?
Too many drivers don’t think about their tires until they have to swerve or brake suddenly, or they have a flat—often with serious consequences. About 9 percent of vehicle crashes are tire-related, according to estimates from a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. But many could be prevented just with proper tire maintenance.
What is the scariest experience a driver will face?
Hydroplaning is one of the scariest experiences a driver will face. Consumer Reports expert Ryan Pszczolkowski reveals to " Consumer 101 " TV show host Jack Rico how to regain control of a car when its wheels have lost traction with the wet road.
What is the 215/60R16?
On the side of each tire are numbers like this: 215/60R16. The 215 refers to the cross section width, the widest distance from one sidewall to the other when mounted on the wheel; 60 is the ratio of sidewall height to tire width; and 16 is the size of the wheel in inches. Most cars also list this on the driver’s doorjamb.
How fast do tires go?
Tires carry a speed rating, usually from S (112 mph) to Y (186 mph), with some winter tires having a lower speed rating. That indicates the tire’s maximum speed when carrying a load. Higher speed-rated tires tend to have better grip and handling but wear out sooner, generally making them more expensive.
How many tires are tested in a year?
Consumer Reports tests more than 40 tire models every year—for cars, SUVs, and trucks—putting them through their paces in up to 12 tests, mostly on our test track in Connecticut.
Do higher performance tires cost more?
The general rule is that higher-performance tires cost more and wear faster, leading to a greater cost per mile, as shown below.
Is the cheapest tire always the best?
The cheapest tire isn’t always the best value. A significant factor in getting a good idea of the true cost over a tire’s life span is how long it will last before wearing out.
How to measure tread depth?
The simplest way of measuring tread depth is by using a penny and a quarter , says Gene Petersen, tire program manager for Consumer Reports, a product review site.
What factors determine when to replace tires?
In addition to a blowout or a flat, there are two factors that will help you determine when you should replace your tires: tread depth and manufacture date.
What happens if you put a penny in a tire?
If you insert a penny, also head-down, into the center of your tire’s tread and it’s even with the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head, the tires are becoming unsafe. You should replace your tires right away. By planning before you go tire shopping, you’ll wind up with a safe and comfortable ride and you might even save some money.
How to keep hands clean when replacing tires?
Replace your tires…. Because you’ll need to check the tread and read the sidewall of your tires, you might want to put on a pair of gloves to keep your hands clean. Also, you’ll be kneeling next to your car, so make sure it’s parked in a safe place with good lighting.
What does the number 1109 mean on a tire?
The first two numbers stand for the week in the year it was made, and the other two are for the year. For example, if your tire has “1109” printed on it, then it was manufactured in the 11th week of 2009. Finding the date code can be a little tricky. It’s usually preceded by the initials DOT.
When is it time to replace rubber on tires?
When the tread depth gets too low, or your tires are 6 years old or older, it's time for new rubber.
What is the code on a car tire?
The Department of Transportation code on a car's tire shows the week and year it was manufactured.
How deep is a tire?
A tire’s tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch. New tires have from 9/32” to 11/32” of tread material . A tire is considered unsafe when the tread is worn down to 2/32”. You can identify the tread depth to replace tires by using the penny test method or a tread depth gauge.
What does it mean when a tire has a bulge?
A bulge on your tire usually indicates that the rigid internal frame of the tires has been damaged, allowing air pressure to reach the flexible outer layers of the tire. Any tires with sidewall bulges or bubbles should be replaced immediately, even if the tread status is acceptable. Vibration.
How does tire tread wear?
Tire tread should wear evenly across the whole tire rather than on the inside or outside of the tire. The wear on your tires will happen regardless of how good of a driver you are, although it can be accelerated if you don’t take proper care of the tires.
How to tell if tires need replacing?
Tread Wear. A tire’s tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch.
Why rotate tires?
Because tires wear unevenly front to back, regular rotations will allow you to get longer use out of your set of tires by wearing the tread more evenly. Front tires will wear the outside edges down more quickly, so rotation allows you to always have the most tread on the outside of the tire.
What are the factors that impact when replacing tires?
Tire Wear: All tires eventually begin to experience wear. How the tire wears can be a indication of an issue with your alignment or tire pressure.
What is a sport tire?
Sport Tires: These tires are built to provide trucks with a balance of style and performance. Designed for excellent handling and quiet rides, sport tires generally are wider and have low profiles for on-pavement driving.
Why do tires lose grip?
Experts agree that even the best all-season tires succumb to low temperatures, which causes the tire to harden and lose a significant amount of grip. Once your tires lose grip, other safety features of your car could lose functionality as well, such as all-wheel drive and anti-lock brakes. So if your area has regular freezing temperatures, whether ...
How hot should winter tires be?
However, sticking to the general guideline of 45°F for all-season tires and 50°F for summer tires should increase the longevity of your tires and maximize your safety while driving.
What is an all season tire?
Given their name, all-season tires are made to perform year-round in moderate weather conditions. While all-season tires provide combined benefits from both summer and winter tires, they are not ideal for drivers battling extreme cold, ice, and snow during the winter months.
When to change tires for winter?
A good rule of thumb is to change to winter tires season tires once temperatures consistently drop below 45°F. It’s also important to consider the time of day you are driving—daily highs might read well over 50°F, but given your early morning and evening commute, temperatures could be below 45°F at those times.
Do winter tires help with ice?
So if your area has regular freezing temperatures, whether with a large amount of snow, or just common freezing and dry temperatures, a winter tire will benefit you greatly. Winter tires could be the difference in preventing a fender bender after hitting a patch of black ice, or needing to stop quickly on packed snow.
When to switch tires?
If you own a set of all-season tires, you should switch when temperatures stay above 45°F each night. Since summer tires perform best when it’s warmer, you can hold off a little longer—especially if your area typically has late freezes.
