Does Your Vehicle Need Winter Tires in MN?

One of the primary concerns for most drivers is that they don’t want to get stuck in snow during the winter months, and because we live in Minnesota and get a ton of snow, you are going to swap out your regular all-season for the winter snow tires. This is especially true if your all-season tires have a few years of wear and tear on them, and you will never want to take a chance regarding your safety. Choosing the right set of snow tires for you will come with a bit of compromise. You will never get one tire that is quick on the track, controllable in the snow, and longest-wearing. So be sure to do your research on getting a set of winter tires to get the best for you and your vehicle.

Your winter tires should only be used for the winter, and you should only change your all-season tires to winter tires when the temperature dips below 50 degrees. When temperatures are at or below 32 degrees, your winter tires will work best, and if you are dealing with temperatures above that, your all-season tires will work just fine. You should also keep in mind that much of the United States and Canada do not have winter tire requirements, but if you plan to take a trip to a state or province that does, you will need to read up on the laws of that place before you head out.

It is best always to change your tires when your tread has worn down. Though the legal limit for tire tread is 2/23 of an inch, you should change your winter tires when they get to 5/32 of an inch for your winter tires. So how do you know if you have enough tire tread? Well, an easy way to check your tire tread is to do the penny test. Start by inserting the penny into the grooves of the tread of your tires with Lincoln’s head facing upside down and towards you. If you can make out Lincoln’s head, you will need a new set of tires. In addition, your winter tires can age if they don’t get used, as when the summer months hit, the humidity can degrade them. Therefore, you should buy winter tires every eight years, even if you have tread left.

Here in Minnesota, we tend to get a ton of snow, so you will want to get winter tires once the snow starts flying. Your all-weather tires are a half-measure between your summer and winter tires, which is to say that all-weather tires are winter tires with summer aspects. There are also other types of tires you should be aware of, such as low-rolling resistance tires, which reduce resistance so that you will save on gas and electricity. You can also get mud and sand tires, off-road tires, and run-flat tires that allow you to keep driving on your tires even if they have something like a nail in them for a period of time. Many drivers have this type of tire as a spare.

If you need new winter tires, then be sure to head down to Coon Rapids CDJR and check out our slew of winter tires. Let’s face it; we get a lot of winter weather, including snow and ice, so you want to ensure you get your winter tires fast. Once you have picked out a set of winter tires you like, our experts here at Coon Rapids CDJR will help you put them on. Trust us when we tell you that you will be glad that you put these winter tires on your vehicle, and you can make an appointment to see our experts here on our website. We look forward to seeing you at Coon Rapids Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram!