Mounting the right type of tires to your vehicle can help to prevent accidents and the need for vehicular repairs. According to Carsurance, 54% of roadside breakdown cases happen due to problems with tires. There are some actions you can take to improve your safety, and one of those is using the correct type of seasonal tires. Here are some tips from our tire sales team to keep in mind as the seasons change.

All-Season Tires Aren’t Technically for All Seasons

Seasonal tires are specially designed to handle extreme weather conditions. An all-season tire only truly works in all seasons if you live and drive in a locale where the weather changes very little from summer through winter. The tires are great for dry roads and relatively warm weather, but they struggle in the snow, sleet, and slush that often affect roads in northern climes.

Winter Tires Are Ideal for Wintry Weather

Winter tires are great in the winter because they are narrower and taller than an all-season tire. The narrow tire has a more aggressive tread that helps it dig into snow and slush to give you more traction. The taller profile also gives you more ground clearance so that you can drive through snow more easily than with all-season radials. When the weather warms, though, the narrow tires and tread design do not give you the same traction that you would get with all-season tires.

The Better Tires Go on the Rear

Whether you're running all-season radials or snow tires, the tire sales technicians should mount the tires in the best condition on the rear of your vehicle. The rear is lighter than the front, and the tires on the rear axle can't steer in the direction of the turn like the front tires. Mounting the tires with the best tread on the back helps to maintain stability and control while you're driving.

Balance and Rotation Service Is Important

It’s important to have a tire service balance your wheels and rotate the tires. Doing so helps to ensure a smooth ride and enables the tires to wear evenly while giving you the best possible traction and handling. The service also helps to identify any damage that might affect a tire and helps you to get the longest service life from your tires.

Looking for affordable tire sales in La Crosse, WI? You can call or visit our team at Bion's Full Service Auto Care to learn more about seasonal tire sales and services for your vehicle. We'd be happy to answer any questions.