The Daily Dispatch

Any driver knows that a regular oil change or tune up is important in keeping a car safe to drive. But how many realize the importance of the tires and how vital they are to a car's performance?

Maintaining proper tire air pressure is essential to keeping your car up-to-date for winter driving and to keep yourself safe.

Interstate Tire, Inc. Manager Tom Klein said tire air pressure drops as the weather gets colder. According to Tirerack.com, for every 10 degree Fahrenheit change in outside temperature, a tire's inflation pressure will change about one psi. If a person parks in an attached or heated garage it is also possible to lose pressure when the car travels outside.

"The first time driving in ice and snow you usually find out how good they are," Klein said of a tire's proficiency. "If you don't feel comfortable at that point you should probably do something."

In just a few minutes, Interstate Tire will check your tire conditions and pressure and recommend any maintenance that is needed.

Klein indicated drivers should also be aware that their vehicle must have sufficient tread to get through the winter. Tread on a winter style tire has more grooves and channels than summer tires, which provides better wet traction.

"A lot of cars nowadays have high performance tires from the factory, but they're not great for winter conditions," Klein said.

This motivates many to buy a performance snow tire that will provide the best traction for snow and ice.

"We try to sell good all season tires," Klein said. "And you do want a good, all season tire for the weather we have up in our country."

While focus should remain on the four tires already on a vehicle, Klein stressed the importance of having a spare tire that is fully inflated.

A spare tire can usually be traveled on for 50-60 miles, usually enough to get to a shop to replace or fix it.

Drivers shouldn't travel more than 60 mph on a spare, Klein said.

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