Posted on 10/2/2025
Winter in Minnesota doesn’t give second chances when it comes to tire safety. Slippery roads, black ice, and piles of snow make reliable traction a must. If you're asking whether your tires can survive one more winter, it's time to take a closer look. Worn tires don’t just reduce grip, but they also lengthen stopping distances and increase your risk of sliding. Here’s how to evaluate your tires before winter arrives and decide whether it’s time to invest in new ones. Start with Tread Depth The tread is what keeps your tires connected to the road. Deep grooves help channel away snow, slush, and water, while providing grip on icy pavement. As tread wears down, so does your tire’s ability to perform in winter conditions. An easy way to check tread depth is the penny test. Insert a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see the top of his head, your tread is below 2/32 of an inch, which means the tires are legally wo ... read more