We get a lot of snow here in the Northeast. In fact, Vermont typically gets 54 days of snow annually and a total of 89 inches falling on this wonderful area every year. While that makes New England surpassingly beautiful after a snowfall, it makes our roads pretty treacherous for a good part of the year. To help you handle all the ice and snow, here are some winter tire tips from the specialists in our service center at The Automaster in Shelburne VT.
Winter tire check #1: How’s your tire pressure?
Our service center experts at The Automaster point out that your tires can lose about one pound per square inch of tire pressure for every ten degrees the temperature drops. When your tires are under-inflated, you can experience issues with steering and braking. As a general guideline, your Mercedes-Benz tires should be inflated between 32 and 36 PSI. Our service specialists can tell you the right number for your model.
Winter tire check #2: How’s your tread depth?
In the past, it was common to recommend inserting a penny head-down into your tire tread. If you could see the top of Lincoln's head, your tires were considered worn out. But that's no longer considered a sufficient test because it only gives you 2/32 of an inch of tread. Instead, we recommend inserting a quarter and looking for the top of George Washington's head. That gives you 4/32 of an inch and that's a much better margin of safety.
But even 4/32 of an inch is typically not enough when you're dealing with the kind of significant slush and snow that happens in Burlington and South Burlington, VT. In those cases, you're better off using 6/32 of an inch as the minimum tread depth. In addition, it's a good idea to have a technician in our service center at The Automaster check your tires for overall wear. We can help make sure you and your family stay safe this winter.
Winter tire check #3: How’s your wheel alignment?
When the wheels and tires on your Mercedes-Benz aren't properly aligned, that can reduce the amount of traction you get and even lead to swerving on the highway. When your tires aren't correctly aligned, your steering isn't as accurate as it should be. That can throw your vehicle’s balance off on icy or snowy roads which could cause you to skid out of control, especially with all-wheel drive. Ask us to check your wheel alignment.
Winter tire check #4: When was your last tire rotation?
Rotating your tires regularly is one of the best ways to help your Mercedes-Benz tires wear more evenly. In the service center at The Automaster, we recommend rotating your tires with every oil change. Tires positioned in the front under your engine typically wear more rapidly than your rear tires. By getting a regular tire rotation, you can get more even tread wear which helps traction and steering in snow around Essex and Colchester, VT.
Winter tire check #5: Do you have the right tires?
In some areas of the country, traditional all season tires can be adequate for year-round use, even in winter. But with the significant amount of snowfall and slippery road conditions we have in communities like Shelburne VT and Plattsburg, NY, we believe it's wise to consider winter tires. Schedule a visit to our service center at The Automaster and learn more about how to get the right tires to help keep you safe all winter.