How to Tell If Your Tires Are Ready for Winter
In the Maritimes, winters can be rough. Now is the perfect time of year to get your vehicle winter ready by determining if you may need new winter tires and make sure you are prepared for the season ahead.
The best way to determine if you need a new set of winter tires is by checking your tread depth. Tire tread depth has a huge impact on how safely your tires operate on the road. Tires with too little tread depth—especially winter tires—put you at greater risk of reduced traction, hydroplaning, and even punctures.
Check your tires’ tread depth using a quarter
- Place the quarter between your tire’s tread blocks.
- With the caribou’s nose down (facing you), check if the tread covers the nose.
- If it covers the nose, your tires have adequate tread left.
- If it does not cover the nose, your tires are worn and need to be replaced.
If you do find your tires have too little tread, it is easy to shop winter tires or come in to any Coast location to help directly from our expert team. Plus, our Winter Blitz is happening now.
Book a Service Appointment
Let our experienced technicians get your vehicle winter ready.
Here’s how to get ahead of winter and stay safe on the road
Beyond your tire tread depth, being winter ready is all about being prepared. If you are having to drive in snow or ice without winter tires or find yourself in a bad situation on a winter road, you’ve waited too long.
1. Change to winter tires as soon as the seasons change. Purchase a new set of tires, if needed.
Generally, weather in your area may call for winter tires as early as October 1st until as late as April 30th. It never hurts to be a little early and a little late when it comes to safe driving on winter roads. If you still aren’t sure when to switch, follow the 7 Degrees Celsius Rule: When the temperature stays consistently BELOW 7 degrees celsius in the fall or winter, switch over to your winter tires.
If you’ve checked your tread depth and found your tires have too little tread, you will want to purchase a new set of winter tires in order to stay as safe as possible on the road. Our Winter Blitz is on now, and it’s a great way to pick up a new set of winter tires while saving up to $200.
2. Schedule regular maintenance.
Winters are tough on vehicles, especially in the Maritimes. By scheduling regular maintenance like oil changes, you are ensuring your vehicle is in good working order before temperatures shift and road conditions worsen. Additionally, maintenance technicians will top off or replace your vehicle’s necessary fluids to keep your engine running well, your windshield clear, and your climate control systems nice and toasty.
Coast offers oil changes, regular maintenance services, and more. Find your local Coast and schedule an appointment today.
3. Keep winter supplies in your vehicle all season long.
Keeping supplies like an ice scraper, an extra bottle of winter washer fluid, a blanket, an extra coat, a first aid kit, bottled water, and even a small snow shovel in the back of your vehicle all winter long is a simple way to ensure you are prepared for whatever winter has in store.
Ice scrapers, winter washer fluid, and a small shovel help you get your car ready for the road (and out of snowy parking spots), while a blanket, extra coat, first aid kit, bottled water, and more ensure you are able to stay warm and well in case you need to remain in your vehicle for an extended period while waiting for service or other help to arrive.
Get Winter Ready with our Winter Blitz!
Discover Good, Better, Best savings up to $200 on a full set of winter tires, now through Nov. 14th
