The 7 degree rule
According to AMSS, summer tires lose effectiveness once the temperature drops below about 7 °C. Their rubber compound hardens, so braking distances grow even on a dry road. Fit winter tires when it turns cold, not only after the first snow.
Check the tread
Winter tires need at least 4 mm of tread to count as winter equipment. If yours are getting close to that limit, do not count on them for the whole winter.
Check the age
The sidewall carries a DOT code, and its last four digits tell you when the tire was made: the first two are the week, the last two the year (2422 means week 24 of 2022). A tire ages even when it is not driven, so one with plenty of tread can still be too old. Michelin, for example, recommends an annual inspection once tires have been in service for 5 years, and replacement 10 years after manufacture regardless of tread.
What next
If you are not sure about the condition of your tires, call us or drop by and we will sort it out. If you need new ones and they are not in stock, we get them within 1 to 3 days.
