Winter Tires Information

Surviving the challenging Pennsylvania winters can come down to factors beyond merely checking your vehicle’s fluids, tire pressure, brakes, or alignment. Sometimes, you need winter tires for the added grip and confidence when you are behind the wheel of your BMW model, and your local BMW dealer wants to tell you more about these rugged additions. Winter tires are built for its seasonal namesake, and are optimized for driving under 45° F (7° C). Tread patterns are significantly wider on winter tires than those on all-season or even wet-traction tires. Once a tire model has gone through a battery of tests and passed all requirements, the tire manufacturer can then display the mountain peak snowflake symbol on their product, nicknamed the “Alpine Symbol”.

These alternate shoes for your hard-charging BMW model often come with metal or ceramic studs that protrude from the tire to increase traction on hard-packed snow or ice. Regulations that require the use of snow tires or permit the use of studs vary throughout the United States due to their propensity to wear down the road, so the experts at your Reading BMW destination will keep the focus on non-studded tires.

BMW TIRE RESOURCES CENTER

Winter Tires and Temperature

Modern automotive tires are made of a synthetic polymer known as styrene-butadiene, commonly known as “rubber”. Rubber is flexible, durable, and has a high coefficient of friction, which means it resists sudden movement against another surface. As the temperature drops, rubber hardens and loses its ability to grip the road properly. Racecar drivers often weave their vehicles in a repeating S-pattern to increase the heat between the track surface and tires. When you equip your BMW model with winter tires from your local BMW service center, there is no need to pull this cavalier maneuver. The winter tires will continue thriving in the colder temperatures, keeping you and everyone on board riding with peace of mind.

Storing Winter Tires

Wheels and tires can be especially tough to store if you are limited in space. Storing winter tires improperly can also lead to them dry rotting and cause premature wear. Here at your local BMW dealer, we offer storage options tires that will prevent dry rotting and also keep them out of harm’s way until it’s time to swap out those all-season or summer tires. Consult your service advisor about this awesome amenity at BMW of Reading.

All-Season Tires – Yes or No?

Softer tires possess much better traction, but wear down at a faster rate. Harder tires compromise grip but last longer. There is a choice to make. Constantly changing between winter tires, all-season tires, and summer tires is not ideal, but there has to be some give no matter which route you choose. A lot of consumers consider all-season tires as a permanent solution, but the middle ground calls for the mid-line of grip, lifespan, and temperature range. All-season tires won’t be as grippy as summer tires during the dry months, and surely won’t afford the same driving experience as winter tires when the Mercury plummets. All-season tires will provide adequate or better than sufficient grip year-round, but sometimes the winter tires are the best option during frigid and wet temperatures. Here at your local BMW dealer, our service technicians are always ready to swap out your tires, so schedule an appointment to get started!

Visit Your Local BMW Service Center In PA

Here at BMW of Reading, our exceptional BMW service department can offer excellent solutions when it comes to what kind of tires will go best on which vehicle during the winter months. You can also shop online at the BMW Tire Center by inputting your vehicle information, and our service technicians can complete the job with precise and expert installation. Visit your local BMW dealer today or schedule your next appointment if you are thinking about putting on winter tires this season!