The holiday season is upon us, and many of us will be hitting the roads to meet up with loved ones.
However, as any Michigander knows, this time of year can bring some unpredictable weather, including lots of snow and ice. Luckily, there are certain things you can do to make your journey as smooth and safe as possible.
We spoke to the experts at Bridgestone to get their advice on how to prep our cars and tires for the winter. Here’s what they had to say:
1) It’s time to change over to your winter tires. Did you know some tires are designed for certain seasons? Well, there are summer tires, winter tires, and all-season tires. In Michigan, we typically have all-season tires, which will work for the winter weather. If you want extra grip on icy roads, consider investing in some winter tires that will give you more traction and braking power.
2) Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Every vehicle has a different tire pressure it works best with, so know the correct PSI you need to inflate your tires to, and check them about every month. Under-inflated tires will not work as well as they should, and could increase wear on the tires. When the temperature drops suddenly, check the pressure again, as the drastic change in temperature can cause the tires to lose some air pressure.
3) Double-check your tire alignment. If your alignment is off, this could cause uneven wear on the tires, and you will need to get them replaced sooner. It can also make navigating icy roads more difficult.
4) Rotate your tires. Part of good tire maintenance is rotating the tires so that they get even wear. The switch from warm weather to cold weather is a good reminder to get this done.
5) Check your tire balance. While you are at the shop getting your tires rotated, have them check the balance, too. This will minimize vibrations and give you a smoother ride. Also, like a lot of the other things on this list, it will make sure your tires wear evenly, extending their longevity.
For more information, including how to check if your tires are too worn down, watch the full interview above. To find out the right tires for your vehicle, click or tap here to visit Bridgestone’s website.