When to Put on Winter Tires

Have you ever wondered about when to put on winter tires? The truth is you shouldn’t wait until there’s snow on the ground! Instead, you should install winter tires as soon as the temperature starts to get below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or 7 degrees Celsius.

Making the switch early is the easiest way to maintain your recommended tire pressure for winter drives on the roads near Edgewater. After all, winter tires are superior in all cold weather–and not just on ice and snow!

Why Should You Use Winter Tires?

Winter tires are optimized to provide superior traction when the weather is working against you, but even if you know this already, you might wonder what sets them apart from their all-season alternatives. Here’s what you should understand:

• Winter tires utilize tread patterns that offer a more stable grip on ice and snow, but they’re also more effective on clear roads when the temperature dips.
• Compared to all-season tires, winter tires are made with a softer rubber compound. This means they retain their elasticity in cold temperatures and make more contact with the road.
• All-wheel drive and four-wheel drive systems can propel you forward over snow and ice, but when it comes time to stop, everything depends on your tires and your traction.

Knowing when to put on winter tires is essential, but it’s not the only thing you’ll want to know as you prepare for colder weather. Consider scheduling a winter tune-up, replacing brake pads, and installing a new battery too. You’ll also want to put together a winter car kit for emergencies.

Winter tires wear down more quickly than all-season tires, especially when the weather heats up. For this reason, it’s not a good idea to keep them on year-round.

What Should Your Tire Pressure Be in Winter?

Recommended tire pressure can vary based on several factors, including the kind of car you own and the kind of tires you’ve purchased for your Crofton and Severna Park drives. However, some guidelines are worth keeping in mind no matter what kind of model you’re dealing with:

• Tire pressure of 32 to 35 PSI is appropriate for most passenger vehicles in most seasons.
• Your recommended tire pressure for winter will likely be around 3 to 5 PSI higher than normal.
• Even when the weather’s on your side, tires can lose around 1 PSI per month.
• The air in your tires contracts when the temperature falls. For every ten-degree decline, pressure can fall by up to 1 PSI.
• Automatic tire pressure monitoring systems are offered in many new Jaguar vehicles. If the light on your dash comes on, it means that one or more tires are at least 25% below the recommended pressure.

What should your tire pressure be for winter? If you’re having trouble finding the information in your owner’s manual, or you’ve just picked up new winter tires, ask an expert at our service center for advice! You can also check out our DIY car care guides for more details.

Find Winter, Performance, and All-Season Tires in Annapolis

For winter tires, high-performance tires, and everything in between, our trusted Annapolis tire center is here to help. We’ve made it easy to shop online, but you can always give us a call and make an appointment if you prefer.

Our service center team would be happy to take care of installation in-house, but if you’re interested in saving, it’s never a bad idea to learn how to change a tire at home.