HIT THE ROAD THIS SPRING WITH A SMOOTH TIRE CHANGEOVER
The weather is getting hotter, the days are getting longer, and finally, the smell of spring is back. But before planning that much-anticipated weekend road trip and your first camping trip of the year, we need to talk about swapping your tires. Cadillac Saskatoon in Saskatoon, SK, wants to help you keep your car running efficiently and smoothly this spring and summer. Here are some tips to consider to prepare for your spring tire changeover.
WHEN SHOULD YOU START PLANNING YOUR SPRING TIRE CHANGEOVER?
Generally, the rule of thumb is to wait until the temperature is steadily 7 degrees or higher to switch back to all-season or summer tires. Leaving your winter tires on longer than that causes them to wear quicker and become soft. The softness of the rubber in warmer temperatures also increases your fuel consumption when driving.
INSPECT YOUR SUMMER OR ALL-SEASON TIRES BEFORE SWAPPING
It is a good idea to pull out your all-season or summer tires a few weeks before they are scheduled to be swapped, so you can thoroughly inspect them. Here are some things you should look for:
- Check the age of your tires. Tires are more vulnerable to dry rot after six years, which can jeopardize the quality of your tire, resulting in replacement. You should replace your tires if they are older than ten years. You can find the year your tire was manufactured on the sidewall with four numbers at the end of the dot stamp. The last two numbers will tell you the year of production.
- Check for cracks in your tires, aka dry rot. As mentioned above, dry rot will diminish the quality of your tire, resulting in having to replace your tires.
- Check the sidewalls for gouges, chunks, cuts, or bubbles. If you find these issues early, you may have them repaired before the changeover. Make sure to inspect the exterior and interior of the sidewalls.
- Check for punctures before your tires are mounted, allowing you to inspect them easily. If there is a puncture, you may be able to patch it. Schedule a service appointment to repair your tire and avoid the costly repair of replacement.
TIRE CHANGE VS CHANGEOVER
It is important to know what type of service you require. A tire change is two sets of tires on two different rims. This process is simple, and many people can do this at home. A changeover is switching two sets of tires on one set of rims. This takes longer and is best done by a licensed technician. For questions, contact us.