Winter in Jacksonville is typically mild. However, this year’s winter brought some of the most extreme winter weather in recent memory. Freeze warnings, frost advisories, and the threat of a major winter storm made for a harsher winter than usual–especially by Jacksonville’s standards.
This type of weather can be tough on your car, wearing down your tires, draining your battery, and affecting your vehicle’s fluids. With the cold weather finally (hopefully) behind us, every car needs a little TLC. As the calendar turns to spring, it’s the perfect time to schedule a tune-up and make sure your vehicle’s tires are ready for the months ahead.
How Spring Affects Your Tires
Every year, after the first cold day of winter, you get in your car and, without fail, your tire-pressure monitoring system issues a warning. There may be nothing wrong with your tires, or the cold may have affected the tire pressure. This is because tire pressure can decrease about 1 PSI (pounds per square inch) for every 10 degrees the temperature drops.
Conversely, as winter fades and temperatures rise, tire pressure can increase. This can lead to overinflation, causing the center of the tire tread to wear more quickly. And if the tires were underinflated during winter (hopefully you didn’t ignore the warning light), they may still wear unevenly, impacting your vehicle’s handling and efficiency.
Spring Tire Tune-Up Checklist
To prevent any lasting issues, regularly checking your tires will help maintain your vehicle’s performance and ensure your safety on the road.
Here are a few simple checks drivers can make to stay ahead of any problems:
- Tire pressure – Seasonal temperature fluctuations can cause tire pressure changes. Adjust inflation levels based on the manufacturer’s recommendations.
- Tread depth – Use the penny test to check your tire tread depth yourself. Simply place a penny with Lincoln’s head upside down between two ribs on your tire. If the tread covers part of Lincoln’s head, your tires are still in good shape.
- Tire alignment – Icy roads (albeit not something we deal with often in Jacksonville) can alter driving conditions. When the roads are slick, there’s a greater chance you slide into a curb, tweaking the tire alignment.
- Signs of uneven wear – Poor tire alignment, underinflation, or overinflation can lead to uneven tread wear. If you notice your vehicle pulling to one side, it may be a sign you need a wheel alignment.
Warning Signs Your Tires Need to be Repaired or Replaced
Regular tire checks can help you catch minor issues. But if something doesn’t look right during your self-inspection, the next step is to determine if the tire can be repaired or needs to be replaced.
Here are the warning signs you should look for:
- Small punctures – Some issues are quick fixes. A small puncture can usually be repaired by a professional with a patch or plug.
- Cracked rubber – Exposure to freezing temperatures may cause your tires to crack. As it warms up, the cracks will expand, and the tire will eventually fail.
- Sidewall damage – If an icy or slick road causes you to hit a curb, your tires may develop bulges or even puncture to the point where they need to be replaced.
- Vibration while driving – Excessive vibration may indicate a misaligned tire, but it could also signal a bigger problem. If you take your car in for a wheel alignment, a professional can tell you if the tire has suffered internal damage and needs to be replaced.
If you’re not sure if a tire can be repaired or needs to be replaced, a quick inspection by a professional can help you make the right call.
Schedule a Spring Tire Tune-Up at Big Chief Tire in Jacksonville, FL
At Big Chief Tire, we offer a range of tire services in Jacksonville to keep your vehicle operating safely as the weather starts to change. Stop by for a free tire inspection before summer travel. Visit any of our six convenient locations, or schedule an appointment today.