Putting Winter Tires on Your Truck

As the leaves begin turning colors and the weather cools down, two things are sure to happen.  You’re bound to see pumpkin spice everything in the stores, and you’ll start thinking about putting winter tires on your truck.  Winter tires make driving safer and more manageable when snow and ice cover the ground, and those conditions will be here before we know it.  Putting winter tires on your truck too early will wear them down faster, yet waiting too long may mean you’re dealing with it after the road conditions are already hazardous.  So when should you change the tires on your truck?

Don’t focus on a date.  Focus on the temperature.

It’s tempting to set a recurring calendar date to change the tires on your truck each year.  However, the weather conditions from one year to the next are not the same, and it’s the temperature you really should be monitoring.  When the temperature falls consistently below 45°F, it’s time to get those winter tires on your truck.  Likewise, you should plan to keep them on until the temperature rises consistently above that same mark.

Why does temperature matter?  It’s because winter tires are made from materials designed to give you optimal traction on cold roads.  Snow tires are constructed of softer rubber compound materials than regular tires.  The rubber remains soft and pliable to create strong traction on the snow.  This gives you the grip you need for changing directions and stopping your truck as you need to.  You’ll realize these same benefits when the roads are clear but still very cold.

Do you need all four?

Some people try to save money by only replacing the front two tires with snow tires.  By doing so, they hope to get the same benefits of being able to steer more effectively in cold conditions while not having to pay for four tires. 

Only replacing two tires, however, is a bad decision.  You really need to have four winter tires that are all the same.  If you only replace the front two tires, you can decrease the traction the rear tires have with the road, leading to oversteering problems.

Consequently, replacing only the back two with winter tires doesn’t make braking easier; instead, it will decrease the traction of the front tires and result in understeering issues.

Should you replace them yourself?

Some people with the right skills and equipment choose to change out their regular tires for winter tires on their own.  However, bringing your truck to a mechanic will ensure they are securely on your vehicle and properly aligned before you head out into hazardous conditions.

While you’re examining your tires, consider adding or replacing mudflaps.

Duraflap’s drill-less mudflaps provide the best protection for your truck against dirt, flying rock, and other road debris damage.  Our exclusive “rain grooves” direct rain, snow, and road debris down and away from the vehicle.  Best of all, there’s no reason to drill new holes into the body of your truck–our patented design uses holes already existing in the wheel wells, so you won’t create new areas for rust and corrosion.  Best of all, our mudflaps are easy to install–often taking 30 minutes or less.

Give your truck a custom look by adding artwork to your mudflaps.  Our online art catalog features over 100 designs, or we can create custom artwork based on your ideas or sketch.  Your truck will represent your unique personality!  Contact us today to learn how easy it is to order and install a new set of drill-less mudflaps on your truck!