After taking on winter roads, your car’s tires are due for some tender love and care once spring rolls around. Without investing in proper maintenance, your tires may not be equipped to handle the demands of the season—including heavy rains and potholes. Fortunately, getting your vehicle ready for the road is easy if you stick to these care tips for springtime.

5 Tire Maintenance Tips for Spring

1. Switch Your Winter Wares

Winter tires are helpful when driving over snow and ice, but they aren’t ideal for dry roads. Driving on them during spring may cause excessive noise, imbalance, and wear. If you used winter tires, store them away until next year and swap them out for a set of all-weather wheels.

2. Test the Pressure

When they are exposed to cold temperatures, tires can lose a considerable amount of pressure. When they are underinflated, there is a higher risk of blowing out or becoming flat, putting you in danger on the road. As the temperatures change, check the pressure. If they are underinflated, add air until they reach the manufacturer’s pressure recommendations.

3. Assess the Tread

In general, treads that are less than 1/16” are unsafe to drive on. To see how much wear occurred over winter, stick a penny head-first into the tread groove. If all of Lincoln’s head is exposed, you need new tires to maintain safe traction on the road.  

4. Rotate Tires

To prevent uneven wear, have them rotated every 5,000 to 6,000 miles. Spring is a great time to take care of this maintenance task, as it will allow you to offset any uneven wear that occurred over the winter.

5. Consider Wheel Alignment

The uneven and rough roads of winter can adjust your vehicle’s alignment, making it hard for you to maintain reliable handling. If you feel your car pulling to one side when you drive, you likely need a wheel alignment. By having your vehicle aligned, you will not only enjoy smoother driving, but you will also extend the life of your tires.

Getting your vehicle prepared for the spring is easy when you’re a customer of Warrenton Tire & Muffler. Providing comprehensive tire repair services in Warrenton, MO, this auto shop can handle all maintenance needs with confidence—including rotations and wheel alignment. If your current set of wheels is at the end of its service life, this team can also equip you with high-quality used and new tires, such as those from Goodyear® and Michelin®. For more details on their products and services, visit this trusted mechanic online, and call (636) 456-4355 to schedule an appointment.