Now that spring is finally here, it’s time to give your vehicle some attention. The road salt, snow, ice, and freezing temperatures in the winter affected your tires. Here are a few tire service tips to help you prepare them for the warmer weather ahead.

What to Do to Prepare Car Tires for Spring

1. Replace Winter Tires

If you still have winter tires on, it’s time to replace them with all-season ones. You can’t drive winter varieties year-round because they aren’t designed to handle higher temperatures. Their tread will wear down more quickly, which decreases road performance. Using all-season tires in the spring will improve your vehicle’s gas mileage and preserve your winter tires.

2. Check Tire Pressure

Even in storage, an all-season tire can lose pressure in the winter. Driving on under- or over-inflated ones could result in poor fuel economy, decreased handling, reduced brake responsiveness, and a rougher ride. It also shortens tire life span by causing uneven wear, which could increase the risk of blowouts. 

Before driving out at the beginning of the spring, check air levels to see if you have properly inflated tires. Check the tire sidewall for the recommended pressure in pounds per square inch (psi).

3. Check for Damage

If you’ve used your all-season tires for years, you must ensure they’re ready for the road. Check the tread depth to see if it will provide sufficient grip and traction on the road. Do the penny test in several grooves throughout the rubber. If the tread is less than 1/16-inch thick, the tire is already worn-out and no longer safe for driving.

Cracks, tears, blisters, and bulges on the sidewall also indicate you need new tires.

If you need tire service and inspections, look no further than F.A.T.S. Service. Serving Anchorage, AK, their licensed auto mechanics have helped motorists maintain their vehicles since 1984. They also perform wheel alignments to preserve the integrity of your tires. Call (907) 561-5721 to schedule tire service or visit them online to learn more about what they do.