Inspecting Your Tires After Winter

The winter months can be hard on your tires, and the dangerous weather conditions that the cold brings about makes it even more important than ever that your tires be up to par! Now that things are starting to get a little warmer, it’s a good time to take a look at your tires, inspecting them to ensure that they’re still in good condition. Before long the melting snow and spring rains will make the streets wet and dangerous again, and you want your car to be prepared to take on the roads with safety and confidence! Here’s how to inspect your own tires.

Check the Treads

The first thing to look at when inspecting your tires is the treads. You can either check the wear indicators on the tire to see if your treads are too low and might become dangerous, or try the penny test! Hold a penny with Lincoln’s body between your thumb and forefinger and his head exposed. Lower him headfirst into the tread– as long as part of his head is covered, your tires are ok. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, it’s time for new tires!

Check the Sidewalls

Once you’ve assessed your treads, take a look at the sidewalls of your tires. You can find signs of damage or wear and tear here that would indicate that it’s time for a change, so look for scratches, bumps, blugest, cuts, punctures, or cracks on this area of the tire. If you notice any, it’s time to get in touch with the professionals!

Check the Pressure

Last but not least, it’s important to check your tire pressure, especially now when the outdoor temperature is fluctuating a lot! If the nights are still very cold in your area, wait until the warmer part of the day to check your tire pressure instead of first thing in the morning. A simple tire pressure gauge and your vehicle’s manual is all you need. If your pressure is too high, let out some air. If it’s too low, add some in! Checking your tire pressure once a month is a good habit to get into to ensure that you’re always driving on optimal tires.

As you can see, inspecting your tires is fairly quick and easy, but it can really pay dividends when it comes to keeping you and your passengers safe and comfortable on the road! If you notice some things about your tires that have you worried, you can contact the service team at Keller Brothers Dodge Ram, and we’ll help you out!