3 tips to properly maintain your winter tires

Quality winter tires will perform well on slippery roads for years to come if maintained properly. What’s more, a little routine care when storing tires will help avoid unpleasant surprises the next time you pull them out to install.
Here are some winter tire maintenance tips to extend their life as much as possible.
Whether you have winter tires or decide to buy new winter tires, there are several maintenance basics that when followed will make your tires last longer and perform for several years.
1. Check your tires closely

If you already have winter tires then you should take a complete look at the tires to check them before installing in the car.

• Did you see some cracks, wear or crack in the tire? This means that the frame is damaged.
• You should also check to make sure that the tread (the contact of the tire with the ground) is at least 1.5 mm.

Any of these signs could mean a problem once you’re out on the road, which is why it’s best to check your tires before you get stuck in a mid-lane problem.
 
If you haven’t had the opportunity to check your tires and are already at the tire shop or your mechanic’s shop, a technician should be able to identify any problems before installing them.
 
If there are tire problems, the technician will likely recommend a new set.
2. Check your tires regularly throughout the winter
Although it may seem unpleasant, especially when the winter winds blow, winter tires should be checked and maintained during use as you would all-season or summer tires.
Check your tire pressure most often
Tires with improper pressure will greatly reduce your vehicle’s efficiency, and may cause the tread to wear out and unevenly, and may cause tires to explode.
Remember that pressure can decrease at lower temperatures.
Check the tire tread
When the road is covered with snow and ice, chances are that the tires in the car are going slow as well.
The danger in this case is that the cause of the damage to the tire can remain hidden or present in the tread, so the tire should be checked for any nails, glass or other foreign objects in the tire when driving in these conditions.
3. Store winter tires carefully.
As soon as the temperature begins to rise and it is time to take off the winter tires, care must be taken to store them in a certain climate so that the life of the tire increases and the user can use it for years to come.
To store tires properly

• Keep tires out of direct sunlight and areas that reach high temperatures, such as in a garden shed. Because this can damage the rubber structure and eventually collapse completely, cracks can also be seen on the sidewalls.
• Do not store tires on their tread as this can cause flat spots. Lay them on their side, stacked on top of each other, if possible.
• Avoid keeping winter tires in damp places. The best storage areas are usually dark and dry with no temperature fluctuations.
• For added protection, consider purchasing a set of tire covers. If your winter tires are on the rims, they will keep them clean and dust-free all summer long. You can also use summer or all-season tire covers in winter when not in use.

When you need to buy new winter tires
if your winter tires are no longer in good condition, it is always better to buy new ones.
Remember that when buying new winter tires, you should always purchase a full set of four tires.
Installing only two winter tires can lead to uneven tread wear, handling problems, and even damage to your engine if you have full-time four-wheel drive. Thus, you will have to replace your tires much sooner and there is a higher risk that your vehicle will require further repairs.
Although it may seem expensive at first to buy four new tires, you can’t put a value on your safety and health.
The good news? When stored and maintained properly, a good set of winter tires can last for many years.