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Winter Weather and Your Tires

Winter in South Carolina is unpredictable – some winters are harsh and others are quite mild, but one thing you should be checking regularly, regardless of the conditions, is your tires.  You want to make sure your tires are properly maintained, but you also need to check regularly that the tire pressure is correct for your vehicle and tire specifications.  

An under inflated tired is more likely to hydroplane than a properly inflated one.  And an under inflated tire uses more gasoline to go the same distance as a properly inflated one.   For these reasons, it’s a good idea to keep a tire pressure gauge in your car.  You’ll want to test tire pressure cold – before you’ve driven or at least three hours after driving to get a true reading.  Keep in mind that it’s important to check tire pressure (including your spare tire) at least once a month because your tire pressure is affected by cold temperatures.