Next-level Know-how That Will Take Your Tire Use from Good to Great

Next-level Know-how That Will Take Your Tire Use from Good to Great

Step inside the tire shop with us to learn how to make your tires work for you.

The impact of tires on safety

All steering, braking and accelerating forces between a vehicle and the road are mediated by the tires. The tires are the most active safety equipment of your car - your car is kept on the road and you in control of your car by four contact areas the size of your palm.

The role of the tires in the safety of a car is especially pronounced under demanding and quickly-changing conditions: on snow or ice, on a wet road or in surprising situations.

Proper tread and tire pressure is vital to the functionality of tires. When tires wear out, the tires' wet grip and hydroplaning properties essentially deteriorate, and the risk of accidents increases. Tires lacking sufficient pressure make controlling the car under extreme situations more difficult and allow for the steering to pull more to the side; insufficient tire pressure may even cause a blow-out.

The demanding conditions of the north require much from tires. The tire must retain its grip on the road even under wretched weather conditions. Road surface friction in the wintertime varies between the fraction coefficient 0.1 for wet ice to the coefficient of almost one for dry roads.  In addition to absolute grip, the correct relation between lateral and longitudinal grip ensures good anticipatory properties and steering response even in a blizzard or watery slush.

Safety should trump durability

Most drivers want two major things from their tires: precise performance and a long tread life. Tire manufacturers spend a great deal of time and energy building products that meet both needs.

But when it comes down to it, those two qualities don’t always work well together. The highest-performing tires handle so well because they have a tight grip on the road. How do they get such a firm grip? They have softer compounds that are more sensitive to the pavement. Unfortunately, those soft compounds typically wear down faster.

Meanwhile, tires with massive mileage warranties are so durable because they consist of harder compounds that resist tread wear. The downside? They’re less sensitive to the road and often don’t handle as well, particularly on wet roads.

Here’s our stance: Drivers should prioritize safety over tread life. In our view, tires that handle precisely and get you to your destination safely are more valuable than long-lasting tires that don’t provide the same peace of mind.

Certainly, it’s a nuanced balance. For instance, our intensive research and development efforts have allowed us to craft durable tires that perform expertly. But we will never sacrifice safety for the sake of durability, and we don’t think you should, either.

For more information on maximizing the durability of your tires, click here.

How to check your tread depth

How to check your tread depth. Driving Safety Indicator.


As your tires wear down, it’s important to know how much tread life you’ve got left. There are a few ways to do this.

You can visit your dealer for an inspection. That’s never a bad idea, since they’ll also check for other issues, such as punctures, uneven wear and suboptimal tire pressure.

If you want to check your own tread wear, the penny test is a good trick. Place an upside-down penny inside multiple tread grooves in different areas of the tire. If you see the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head, it’s time to buy new tires.

We make things even easier for you, though. Our patented Driving Safety Indicator tells you how much tread remains in the main grooves of each tire. Numbers on the tread surface allow you to check the remaining tread percentage

Here are some more tips for assessing your tread depth and some ways to evaluate studded tires.

The effects of altitude and temperature on tire pressure

Tire maintenance can be even more challenging in high-altitude areas or in places with vast temperature swings.

For every 1,000-foot (304 meters) increase in altitude, tire pressure decreases by 0.5 psi – enough to create safety hazards if tires aren’t properly inflated beforehand. Underinflated tires increase the risk of blowouts and have decreased handling properties. Before heading for the hills, make sure tires are inflated to the recommended tire pressure for your car.

Since tire pressure is lower at altitude, fuel economy isn’t as strong. Lower tire pressure reduces rolling efficiency and increases heat generation. This is known as rolling resistance, which forces your car to work harder to keep moving forward. Of course, climbing steep mountain roads also drains the fuel tank more quickly than usual. Don’t forget those challenges when you’re filling up during your journey.

Wild changes in temperature also impact tire safety. A 10-degree Fahrenheit (about 12 degrees Celsius) drop can cause tire pressure to decrease by as much a 1 psi. That’s why you may see your tire light appear on cool mornings. The key: making sure you’ve inflated your tires to the recommended level, so subtle drops in pressure are less likely to make a big difference. In consistently cold weather, make sure you’ve fully inflated your tires.