Best Snow Tire Care Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Early Winter Tire Wear

The best snow tires aren’t cheap, but they’re built to last longer than economy brands. If you take the time to care for them properly, you can easily meet or exceed the manufacturer’s tread life warranty and squeeze an extra season out of your set.

And good news: caring for your snow tires is surprisingly easy, especially with the support of your local TIRECRAFT.

To help you protect your investment, today’s post shares 6 tips to prevent early winter tire wear, all of which your local TIRECRAFT can help you implement today.

Read on to learn more, or contact your local TIRECRAFT to schedule a free snow tire consultation.

Best Snow Tire Care Tips: 6 Ways To Prevent Early Winter Tire Wear

1. Keep your snow tire pressure in check. The air in your tires supports 95% of your vehicle’s weight, and it also greatly affects your handling, tread wear, and fuel efficiency. In fact, for every 1 PSI your tires fall below the recommended operating pressure, fuel efficiency drops by 2%, and badly underinflated tires are particularly prone to overheating and blowouts.

In order to optimize your snow tire’s performance and protect your treads, it is a good idea to check your tire pressure at least once per month. Most manufacturers recommend operating winter tires several PSI (typically 3-5) higher than summer tires, but you should always check your owner’s manual or placard to be sure.

Purchasing a portable tire inflator and pressure gauge is recommended for most drivers, and your local TIRECRAFT carries a range of affordable, user-friendly options. We also offer free pressure checks and top-ups with every visit.

2. Remove your snow tires once winter weather passes. Winter tires use special rubber compounds that stay pliable in frigid temperatures in order to maintain traction and handling performance in ice and snow. But if you use these same extra-soft rubber compounds on warm roads in summer, you’ll feel a lot of drag and friction, and you’ll shave years off of your tread life. To protect your treads, you should make an effort to remove your snow tires as soon as temperatures rise consistently above 7 degrees Celsius.

3. Clean your snow tires regularly. Salt and other contaminants can harm your treads and increase the risks of dry rot as they evaporate. To prevent this, treat your tires to the occasional cleaning using a mild detergent, tire brush, and plenty of warm water. Be sure to dry your tires thoroughly afterwards, and avoid harmful chemical cleaners. If you’re not sure whether your cleaner is tire-safe, get in touch with your local TIRECRAFT.

4. Create the best snow tire storage conditions. Snow tires should be stored out of direct sunlight and away from electric motors or other equipment that generates ozone. They should also be stored somewhere with an air humidity between 50-60% to prevent swelling and deformations.

If you lack the space or you don’t want to spend extra on climate controls (e.g. a hygrometer and dehumidifier), consider going pro with tire storage at your local TIRECRAFT. Not only does this guarantee proper storage practices; it also makes changeovers more convenient, since your tires are already in the care of your changeover professionals.

5. Adjust your winter driving habits. Aggressive braking takes a serious toll on tire treads. While you will not be able to avoid every emergency braking situation on wintery roads, you can minimize them by embracing the art of coasting and avoiding tailgating. You should also try to reduce the weight of your vehicle as much as possible, either by removing unnecessary items or uninstalling roof racks when not in use.

6. Invest in alignment and rotation services. Most winter tires get rotated as part of your seasonal changeover service, but you should make sure this is the case to eliminate the risks of uneven tire wear. If you’re driving on winter-rated all-weather tires, you’ll need to make a special trip into your local TIRECRAFT for rotation service every 6 months or so.

Driving on tires with poor alignment is also a major cause of uneven tread wear and early tire failures, and it kills your fuel efficiency, too. At TIRECRAFT, we recommend booking alignment services once or twice per year, as well as immediately after any collisions or rough encounters with road hazards, like potholes or tall curbs.

Book With The Best Snow Tire Techs: Contact Your Local TIRECRAFT

Since 1990, TIRECRAFT has been helping drivers protect their snow tire investments with automated upkeep reminders, warranty-backed repair and maintenance services, and pro storage solutions, and we can do the same for you.

To get a free quote on any tire service and browse all the best snow tire brands under one roof, contact your local TIRECRAFT.

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