Dear Tire Guy | October 2020
It's October and you know what that means...
All the candy is about to go on sale and my 4-month diet has been a complete waste! And, arguably just as important, snow is coming. Are you ready for it? Is your car ready for it? I can help you with one of those. Guess which one. Here are some winter tips and general winter prep tips.
Here's an easy one: Make sure your winter tires are in good shape. Even a good winter tire with a low tread does you no good. Some do not even use winter rubber compounds through the entirety of the tread, making the tire less effective sooner. If your tread depth is less than 4/32", consider replacing them. And while you are at it, make sure the winter tires are also properly inflated. Tire pressure will drop as the temperature drops, so long cold spells may require additional air pressure checks to maintain adequate pressure. If you have a TPMS light in your vehicle, it is a likely culprit to bug you when the temperature drops.
What else can you do to prepare for winter conditions?
- Test your battery. Battery power can be reduced with temperature drops.
- Make sure your heater is working; preferably before it is only 2 degrees outside.
- Check your wiper blades and wiper fluid. Make sure you have a winter rated windshield wiper fluid so it doesn't freeze in the reservoir. Popsicles don't clean windshields.
- Have a backup camera? It doesn't do you any good it it's covered in snow or ice. Wipe these lenses and sensors off.
- If you find yourself sliding, try and make it look like a cool drift maneuver. Everyone watching will be jealous instead of scared.
Winter is coming Porsche guys and gals, but you are in the most driveable car on earth. Stay healthy, stay safe, stay warm, stay on the road, and until next month, Drive On!
~The Tire Guy