How to Check Tire Safety Before Storm Season: Essential Steps

Storm season brings heavy rain, strong winds, and unpredictable road conditions. Tires really do a lot to keep a vehicle stable and safe when the pavement gets slick.

Check your tire tread, pressure, and overall condition before storms arrive to lower the risk of losing control on wet roads.

Meteorologists know even a short drive can get dicey if your tires can’t grip the road. Worn tread boosts the chance of hydroplaning, and low or uneven pressure messes with braking and steering.

Simple checks ahead of time might be the difference between a safe trip and a scary one.

This guide covers why tire safety matters before storm season. You’ll learn how to inspect tread for storm readiness and what to look for when adjusting pressure or spotting damage.

We’ll also go over picking the right tires for wet weather and maintaining other parts of your vehicle so you can handle severe conditions.

Why Tire Safety Matters Before Storm Season

Tires in bad shape can lose grip on wet pavement. That makes it harder to steer, brake, and keep control.

Adequate tread depth and proper inflation help with traction and cut down the risk of skids during heavy rain.

Risks of Driving on Wet Roads

Wet roads cut the friction between tires and pavement. Stopping distances get longer, and sliding becomes more likely, especially if you brake suddenly.

If tread depth is too shallow, the tire can’t channel water away very well. Even a little loss of traction can make your car drift in turns or not stop in time.

Drivers can check tread depth with a simple gauge or the penny test. At least 4/32 of an inch is best for safe wet-weather driving.

Low tire pressure makes handling worse on wet surfaces. Underinflated tires flex more, which kills stability and makes hydroplaning more likely.

Hydroplaning and Accident Prevention

Hydroplaning happens when water builds up under the tire faster than it can escape. The tire lifts off the road and you lose all steering and braking control.

The risk jumps at higher speeds, with worn tread, or when water pools on the road. Even light rain can cause hydroplaning if the road is oily or worn smooth.

To lower your risk:

• Keep tread depth above the safe minimum.
• Maintain tire pressure at the manufacturer’s recommended level.
• Slow down in heavy rain or standing water.
• Skip sudden steering or braking.

If you keep up with tire maintenance before storm season, your tires can push water away better and actually stay in contact with the road. That helps you stay in control during severe weather.

Inspecting Tire Tread for Storm Readiness

Good tread depth helps your vehicle grip wet roads, reduces hydroplaning, and improves braking in heavy rain. You can use simple tools and tricks to check tread depth and decide if you need new tires before the weather turns nasty.

Understanding Tire Tread Depth

Tread depth is the vertical space from the top of the tread rubber to the bottom of the deepest grooves. New tires usually have about 10/32 inch of tread.

As tread wears down, water evacuation gets worse. Stopping distances go up and grip goes down on wet pavement.

Most experts say replace your tires when tread depth hits 4/32 inch for wet-weather driving. At 2/32 inch, tires are legally worn out in a lot of places.

Check all four tires, including the inner and outer edges. If you spot uneven wear, that might mean alignment or inflation issues you should fix before storm season.

Using the Penny Test

Try the penny test if you don’t have special tools. Stick a U.S. penny into a tread groove with Lincoln’s head facing down.

• If Lincoln’s head disappears, tread depth is above 2/32 inch.
• If you see the top of his head, tread depth is at or below 2/32 inch and you should replace the tire.

The penny test is a bare-minimum check. It won’t give you an exact measurement, but it can alert you to tires that are dangerously worn.

Test several spots around the tire to check for uneven wear. Use the lowest reading to decide if you need a replacement.

Measuring With a Tread Depth Gauge

A tread depth gauge gives a more accurate reading than the penny test. You can buy these small, cheap tools at auto parts stores or online.

To use one:

1. Insert the probe into a tread groove.
2. Press the base flat against the tread.
3. Read the measurement in 32nds of an inch or millimeters.

A gauge helps you spot small differences in tread depth between tires or across the same tire. That can tip you off to early wear patterns that might hurt your storm handling.

If you record measurements during routine checks, you can track wear over time and plan for new tires before things get unsafe.

Checking and Adjusting Tire Pressure

Tire pressure changes when the temperature shifts. This can affect traction, braking, and even fuel efficiency. Both low and high pressure cut down on safety and increase wear, especially if roads are wet or messy.

How Storm Weather Affects Tire Pressure

Storms usually bring a sudden drop in temperature. For every 10°F the temperature drops, tire pressure can drop about 1 psi.

So, a tire that seemed fine in warm weather might end up underinflated once things cool off.

Heavy rain and flooding make roads even trickier. Tires with the wrong pressure can’t channel water as well, raising your risk of hydroplaning.

Check pressure after your car has been parked for at least three hours. That way you get a “cold” reading, which is more accurate. Use a reliable gauge and compare the reading to what the manufacturer recommends before stormy weather hits.

Dangers of Underinflated Tires

Underinflated tires touch more of the road. That might sound good, but it actually increases rolling resistance and heat.

Extra heat weakens the tire, especially on long drives over wet or rough roads. That can lead to blowouts, especially if you hit storm debris.

In wet weather, low pressure also makes it harder for the tire to push water away. That means longer stopping distances and less control in turns. Check and adjust pressure regularly to avoid these problems.

Risks of Overinflated Tires

Overinflated tires have less tread touching the road. That smaller contact patch means less traction, especially on slick surfaces after rain or hail.

They’re also more likely to get damaged by potholes and debris, which show up a lot after storms. The stiffer sidewalls from higher pressure mean the tire can’t absorb impacts well.

Overinflation can also wear out the center of the tire faster. That shortens the tire’s life and might make you replace them sooner. Stick to the recommended psi—not the maximum listed on the tire—to avoid these issues.

Choosing the Right Tires for Storm Season

Your tire choice really matters for how well your car grips wet or icy roads and how it handles sudden stops or turns in bad weather. The right type and condition of tire can lower your risk of hydroplaning and give you better control during heavy rain, slush, or snow.

All-Season Tires Versus Winter Tires

All-season tires handle a range of conditions, including light snow and rain. They have moderate tread depth and rubber that stays flexible in mild cold, but they might get stiff if it’s really cold.

Winter tires use softer rubber and deeper tread with more biting edges. That helps with traction on snow, ice, and slush. They also clear water and snow better, cutting the risk of slipping.

Drivers who deal with a lot of freezing temperatures or heavy snow will get the most out of winter tires. If you live somewhere with milder winters and more rain than snow, all-season tires might be enough.

Pick based on your local climate, road conditions, and how often you run into snow or ice.

When to Replace Your Tires

Tires lose grip as tread depth drops. A tread depth of 4/32 inch or less really hurts wet-weather performance, and 2/32 inch is the legal minimum in a lot of places.

Check for cracks, bulges, or uneven wear too. These can mean structural damage that could lead to failure during a storm.

Try the quarter test: insert a U.S. quarter into the tread with Washington’s head down. If you can see the top of his head, the tire might not give you enough traction in wet or snowy conditions.

Replace tires before they get too worn out to keep your braking and steering sharp when roads are slick or flooded.

Identifying Tire Damage and Uneven Wear

Tire safety depends on the rubber’s condition and how evenly the tread wears over time. Physical damage and weird wear patterns can wreck your traction, especially when roads are wet or covered with storm debris.

Spotting Cuts, Bulges, and Cracks

Sharp objects on the road can cut your tires. Even small cuts can get worse under stress, so check often.

If you see a bulge, the tire’s internal structure is probably damaged. This usually happens after hitting a pothole or curb. A bulge means the tire isn’t safe—replace it right away.

Cracks tend to show up in the sidewall or between tread blocks. Age, sun, or underinflation can cause them. Fine cracks can get worse fast in heavy rain when the rubber flexes more.

Key things to watch for:

• Cuts: Jagged openings or slits in the tread or sidewall.
• Bulges: Raised, rounded spots that feel soft.
• Cracks: Thin lines or splits in the rubber.

If you spot any of these, have a tire pro check it before you drive in rough weather.

Checking for Irregular Wear Patterns

Uneven wear cuts down grip and makes stopping harder on wet pavement. It usually points to mechanical or maintenance issues.

Common wear patterns include:

Run your hand lightly over the tread to feel for uneven spots. A tread depth gauge can help confirm if one area is wearing down faster.

Fixing the cause early helps you keep traction during heavy rain or when water pools on the road.

Routine Car Maintenance for Storm Safety

Tire condition isn’t just about tread depth. How the tires touch the road, how they wear, and how they respond to steering all matter for safety when things get wet. Good maintenance keeps wear even, improves handling, and helps you grip slippery surfaces.

Tire Rotation and Balancing

Rotating tires moves them to different spots on your vehicle, which helps them wear evenly. Most vehicles need rotation every 5,000 to 7,500 miles, but check your owner’s manual to be sure. Even wear means all tires keep their grip when it pours.

Balancing makes sure the tire and wheel spin evenly without shaking. An unbalanced tire wears unevenly and doesn’t grip well on wet roads. It can also put extra strain on your suspension and steering.

A balanced tire gives you better contact with the road, which is crucial when water reduces friction. Ask for balancing during rotations or if you feel vibration at highway speeds.

Alignment Checks

Wheel alignment tweaks the angles of your tires so they hit the road just right. If your alignment’s off, the car might pull to one side, steering feels less precise, and you could end up with weird tread wear.

When it’s wet out, poor alignment can make your ride less stable and even stretch out your stopping distance. That’s definitely not what you want in a downpour.

You usually throw your alignment out of whack by hitting potholes, bumping curbs, or just driving on rough roads. Even minor alignment problems can mess with how well your tires channel water away from the tread.

Technicians will measure and adjust camber, caster, and toe to match what the factory recommends. It’s a good idea to get your alignment checked once a year, or anytime you take a big hit—especially if you want your car to handle predictably in stormy weather.

• Articles on Atmospheric Phenomena
• Articles on Electrical Storms
• Articles on Fire
• Articles on Snow and Ice
• Articles on Surface Movement
• Articles on Temperature
• Articles on Water
• Articles on Wind
• Regional Weather Articles