How to Maintain Winter Tires for Cars?
2 Answers
Here is an introduction to winter tire maintenance: 1. In the cold winter, the rubber of tires becomes much harder due to thermal contraction. Even though many vehicles are equipped with all-season tires, the icy and slippery road surfaces can still challenge the tires' grip. Therefore, it is essential to switch to winter tires. If not replaced, attention must be paid to the maintenance and safe use of the tires. 2. In winter, the rubber of tires hardens, making them relatively brittle and reducing the friction coefficient. This requires that the tire pressure should not be too high, but more importantly, not too low. In low external temperatures, excessively low tire pressure can accelerate the aging of soft tires and increase contact with the ground, leading to faster wear and reduced tire lifespan. 3. During winter, it is also important to regularly clean debris from the tire treads, avoid using tires that have been repaired more than once, and replace tires with significant wear or those of different brands and tread patterns. The inner and outer wear of tires can vary greatly. To ensure safety and reduce wear, tires should be rotated regularly. 4. Good driving habits are also crucial in car maintenance, as they are directly related to the owner. Actions such as abrupt starts, sudden turns, emergency braking, high-speed driving on poor road conditions, frequently driving over curbs, and scraping tires against obstacles when parking can all lead to severe tire wear and reduce the tire's service life.
I've been driving for over twenty years, and winter tire maintenance is something that really needs attention. Tire pressure is key—it drops when it's cold, so check it at least every two weeks with a tire pressure gauge and keep it at the recommended value on the car label to prevent blowouts or high fuel consumption. Storage also requires care. Clean off any salt and dirt from the surface of removed tires, let them dry, and store them upright in a dry, cool place—don’t stack them or leave them in the sun. Don’t slack on wear checks; if the tread depth is less than 5mm, it’s time to replace them—driving on snowy or icy roads isn’t safe. I also recommend driving slower, especially when turning and braking, to reduce the risk of skidding. Regular tire rotation is important too—once a year is enough to ensure even wear. In short, proper maintenance keeps you safe and worry-free—don’t wait until something goes wrong to regret it.
