Seasonal Tire Tips for Year-Round Performance
A few seasonal habits — pressure checks, rotations, and the right rubber — keep your tires safe and lasting longer all year.
Tires respond to the weather. Temperature swings change your pressure, and each season puts different demands on your tread. A little seasonal attention keeps you safe and your tires lasting longer.
Check your pressure as temperatures change
Tire pressure drops about 1 PSI for every 10°F the temperature falls. A cold snap can leave you noticeably underinflated overnight, which hurts handling, fuel economy, and tread life. Check your pressure monthly and whenever the seasons turn — and don’t forget the spare.
Spring & summer
Heat is hard on tires.
- Inspect for winter damage — potholes and curbs take a toll.
- Keep pressures at spec; heat and hot pavement raise pressure.
- Rotate and check alignment so summer road trips wear evenly.
- Watch tread depth before heavy rain season — it’s your defense against hydroplaning.
Fall & winter
Cold and precipitation demand more grip.
- Check tread depth before the first freeze.
- Consider dedicated winter tires if you drive in snow and ice.
- Recheck pressure often as temperatures drop.
- Expect your TPMS light on cold mornings — it’s often just low pressure.
All-season vs. winter tires
All-season tires handle our region’s typical conditions well, but they’re a compromise. If you regularly drive in snow or on ice, a dedicated set of winter tires grips far better below 45°F — and swapping them on and off seasonally actually extends the life of both sets.