HOW DO I KNOW IF MY WINTER TIRES ARE WORN OUT AND NEED REPLACING?

When winter tires are in top shape, they can sweep slush and sleet away from the road, grasp ice, brakes, and hold curves on slick roads. However, as the tread layer on your winter tires worn down over time, their performance decreases. Examining the tread depth of your winter tires is the best way to determine if they need to be upgraded.

This article will look at how external change affects stability and performance and how to evaluate tread depth with something you already have in your pocket.

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHEN YOUR WINTER TIRES ARE DAMAGED?

The tread's gripping edges become smaller as it wears down. Winter tires should be replaced when they are half-damaged for dependable deceleration and handling efficiency in winter weather.

According to Transport Canada, tires with a tread depth of less than 5/32" (4 mm) must not be utilized on snow-covered surfaces. Tires should be rotated whenever the tread depth approaches 4/32" in the wintertime, as per tire makers and indeed the legislation in most regions. Your tires are regarded as worn and a potential hazard if the tread depth reaches specified limits. As an example, consider the following graph:

• 12/32" – brand new
• 9.5/32" – 25% worn
• Replace tires if they are 50% worn – 7/32"
• 4.5/32" – 75% worn
• 2/32" – 100% worn

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF YOUR TIRES HAVE ENOUGH TREAD DEPTH?

You may assess the tread depth on your tires in three easy ways:

1.               Using a Toonie

Insert a toonie into the tread blocks. If the tread touches the bear's claws, your tires are likely new and have plenty of treads available. Your tires are now about half wear if the tread frame conceals the silver section of the toonie. Your tires are damaged and have to be changed if the tread barely touches the letters ('CANADA' or 'DOLLARS').

2.               Wear indications for tire tread

Treadwear gauges may be incorporated into your tires. They're small raised bars that run the length of your tire grooves and indicate the minimal tread depth allowed. There are normally six per tire. Change your tires as soon as these indications show signs of wear.

3.               Using a tread depth measure on a tire

Tire tread depth detectors are a quick and simple way to determine whether your tires are healthy or have to be upgraded. Most petrol stations have tire tread depth meters on hand. For convenient access, carry one in your car trunk. This is how to use one:

Insert the gauge's pin into the tire's thickest tread groove till the gauge's foot is parallel with the tire.

Check out the weighing scale. You're good to go as long as your number is around 7 and 12/32". If your winter braking and cornering aren't up to par, you'll need to invest in a new pair of winter tires.

WHEN TO CHANGE TIRES

Buy a tire tread depth gauge with an auto repair shop to keep track of your tire tread pattern, or use a coin to see if your tires ought to be replaced. Whenever laid head first in a tire groove, the crown of George Washington's head is just apparent, indicating a tread depth of 4/32 inch. That should be plenty for all-weather traction, but you will need to start looking for replacements. Whenever a tire groove reaches 2/32-inch, it is clear that it is wearing out and needs replacing right away. You can measure the distance between the tops of Lincoln's heads with a penny 2/32-inch. 

BOTTOM LINE

For milder snow situations, all-season tires work nicely. However, as the test results demonstrate, if your tires are much more than 50% worn, you may need to wait till the roads are swept before driving. 

The findings also highlight how tire performance changes over time, overall dry deceleration and control improving marginally but moist braking, power-sliding resistance, and snowy traction decreasing.

TIRE ANALYSIS ON FROST

The performance of your car in winter weather is largely determined by the tires. Consumer Reports specialists illustrate how CR evaluates tires for ice weather to guest Jack Rico on the Television program.

HOW DO ALL-SEASON AND WINTER TIRES COMPARE TO THREE-SEASON TIRES?

With the exception of 3-season, initially referred to as all-season tires, the most extraordinary winter tires have a bold tread pattern engineered to grip into ice and drive slush away. Furthermore, the rubber composition of winter tires is engineered to remain soft in freezing conditions, providing for dependable grip when the temperature drops below 7°C.

Are you looking for new tires? Check out our tire user manual and ratings for more information.

A BETTER WAY TO BUY TIRES IN CANADA

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