5 Winter Tire Tips

Winter Preparedness

Tips for Checking Your Winter Tires

1 Examine tread depth: In adverse conditions, your tires should exceed the minimum tread depth. You need at least 4/32 inch tread depth in every major groove on front tires and 2/32 inch on other tires. Use a gauge to determine if you have enough tread for safe driving.

2 Look for signs of uneven wear: Also check for damage, punctures, cuts or bulges, to avoid tire failure or air loss.

3 Test air pressure: Tire pressure decreases by about one pound per square inch for every 10˚F drop in air temperature, so it’s vital that drivers check the air pressure regularly during the winter weather season.

4 Inflation: Remember over inflation can cause handling and braking issues and uneven wear. Under inflation creates excessive stress on the tire. Be sure to check air pressure when the tires are cool (not hot from driving).

5 Tire chains: You may find yourself in conditions where you can’t drive without chains. Learn how to put the chains on before you need to do it in ice or snow. Carry the appropriate number of chains for your vehicle and extra cross-links. Check the chains for broken hooks, worn cross-links, and bent or broken side chains.

In ice or heavy snow, your vehicle loses traction when it hydroplanes on a micro-thin layer of water between the ice and the surface of your tires. The advanced tread designs of M+S (Mud and Snow) tires will significantly improve your vehicle’s ability to grip the road under severe weather conditions.

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More information is available at: ryder.com/WinterDriving

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