‘When should you replace winter tires?’ is a common question our tire experts at TireForce receive from our clients when they’re out on a service call. TireForce is a mobile tire service where we come to your preferred location to perform a tire change and tire repair in Calgary, so we know tires like nobody else.
If you have been using the same winter tires for a few years, it may be time to take a look at your tire’s tread depth to ensure they are doing what they’re supposed to do to keep you and your family safe on Calgary’s snowy streets.
A winter tire’s performance is affected by how worn down the tire’s tread is. The tread pattern on a winter tire is designed to grasp snow and push slush away, giving you more traction with the road’s surface. A tire’s grip is enhanced by the rubber the tire is made of, designed to withstand colder temperatures and stay soft. The state of your tire’s treads is important to keep an eye on, because the more your tread is worn down, the less snow it can grasp and push away for you.
When your tread depth is more than half worn down, you should be seriously looking into replacing your tires. To test the level of your depth, you can do this in your garage or driveway right now by grabbing a toonie and place it on your tire’s tread:
If the tread reaches the polar bear’s feet, your tread is great.
If the tread reaches just the silver part of the coin, your tires are half worn and will need replacing soon.
Lastly, if the tread reaches the writing on the coin, your tread is worn and you will need to replace your tires now to be safe on Calgary roads.
If you prefer using a tool that is more technical that the toonie test, you can purchase a tread depth gauge at any local Calgary gas station and keep in your car’s glove compartment. To measure your tire’s tread depth using a gauge, find the shallowest groove of your tread and insert the gauge pin until the base is flush with the tire. Take a reading of the scale, and if the number falls between 7-12/32”, then your tires are great to drive on. A lower reading indicates your winter braking and ability to handle snowy icy corners will not be at its best and therefore, new tires will be needed.
Every time TireForce comes out to service or change your tires, we will perform a health assessment of your tires. If this is the year that your tires need to be replaced, TireForce is your mobile tire shop in Calgary to help you choose new tires for your car and budget. In addition, TireForce will also deliver and install your winter tires at your preferred location-we’re as ‘near me’ as you can get in your search for tire service in Calgary. Reach out to us today!
