As we prepare ourselves for another Northern Nevada winter, it’s important to have our means of transportation ready for the harsh conditions. Down in the valley we usually see at least a handful of snow storms—not to mention all the ski trips up into the mountains—and you don’t want to end up stuck in a snowbank on the side of the road during a blizzard.
Prepping your car tires for winter conditions will not only make it easier to drive in the snow, but it will also make it much safer and extend the life of your vehicle. This blog will explore some tips from our experts at A1 Body Shop to get your Reno winter tires ready.
Winter Tires
While you can use all season tires during the winter, it could be worth it to invest in some winter tires, especially if your car is two wheel drive. You should maybe take extra consideration if you live in one of the numerous foothill neighborhoods in the Reno area where the elevation increases, and you have to drive back and forth daily.
Winter tires provide extra grip to the icy, snowy and wet road conditions where all season tires can become stiff and less effective in cold temperatures. Nevada state law states that Reno winter tires are permitted from October 1st to April 30th.
Check Your Tread
One of the easiest ways to see if your tires are ready for the winter is to check your tire tread. There is a legal limit to how much tread you should have, but that does not always mean that it’s safe.
If you notice any excessive wear or damage to your tires, you might want to consider an upgrade. A popular way to check if you have enough tread is to place a penny in the tread, and if any part of Lincoln’s head is covered by the tread then you have a sufficient amount.
Rotate Your Tires
After you check your tread and conclude that there is sufficient tread for the winter months, then you should determine if you need to rotate your tires. If it has been over 6 months since your last rotation or if you notice more wear on the back or front tires, then it is time for another. Frequent rotations will allow the tires to wear evenly and reduce the risk of imbalance and increase stability.
Wheel Alignment
If your wheels are unaligned you may notice your vehicle is drifting or pulling to one side. This can be detrimental to your tires, and it can make your car even more prone to losing control, especially in winter driving conditions.
Aligning your wheels will stabilize your vehicle, and evenly spread the wear so it is not on one centralized area or tire. When you bring in your car for an alignment ask them to check the tire pressure as well for ideal arrangement.
Consider Snow Chains
If you make frequent trips to the mountains during the winter you might want to consider buying a pair of snow chains, even if your car is all wheel drive. They are always a good thing to fall back on if something happens to go wrong.
If you’re completely new to snow chains, then we recommend installing them at home a few times to get familiar with them before you’re stuck on the side of the road trying to put them on in a blizzard.
A1 Body Shop
Winter is quickly approaching in the Northern Nevada area, so don’t hesitate to start prepping your car for winter conditions. We are prepared with the tools, expertise and experience to keep your car on the road. Contact us today to get started!