Winter Tire Change Over
Knowing the right time to swap out your winter tires for summer tires and vice versa is essential. Keeping the proper tires on your car ensures maximum safety and performance, and reduces the need to find tire repair near you. On Track Auto Truck & Tire can help with snow tires, off-road tires, and seasonal tires in Bend, Oregon.
When planning to swap out your winter tires for all-seasons or summer tires, it’s best to wait until temperatures are above 50 degrees for more than a week. In the Bend, Oregon area, winter tire season is from November 1st to March 31st. Winter tires are typically manufactured from a softer rubber. It’s great for traction in wet and slippery conditions caused by ice and snow but it does not perform well on hot asphalt. In fact, this rubber can become pretty soft on a hot day, which can impact the speed at which your winter tires wear out. Softer tires also generate more drag and friction against the road; this means your car has to work harder to move forward, decreasing your fuel efficiency.
Leaving your summer tires on during the cold winter months can reduce the traction necessary for control in slippery conditions. Summer tires are just too inflexible to overcome many winter road conditions. The low temperatures can also cause the more rigid summer tires to crack, leading you to need tire repair near you.
To ensure you have the best tires on your car or truck, come talk to us at On Track Auto Truck & Tire. As a local business with years of experience, we can advise you on when to swap tires and provide storage for your off-season and off-road tires.