As the Start of Winter solar term arrives and the weather grows colder, we have put on warm winter clothes. Has your car completed its winter inspection and maintenance?

Tires are the only components of a car that make contact with the ground, so they require thorough inspection and maintenance. What key points should we pay attention to for tires in winter?

1. Regularly Inspect Tires
Daily tire maintenance should never be neglected regardless of the season. Regularly check tires for scratches, bulges, punctures and other abnormalities. Repair or replace damaged tires promptly and avoid driving with under‑inflated tires.
In winter, frequently clear debris trapped in tire treads. Hard foreign objects left in tread grooves may cause tire damage.

2. Maintain Proper Tire Pressure
Due to thermal expansion and cold contraction, tire pressure will change as temperatures drop in winter. Car owners should frequently check tire pressure and keep it within the standard range specified in the vehicle owner’s manual. Refill air in time when tire pressure is insufficient. Never arbitrarily lower or raise tire pressure.

Generally speaking, appropriately increase tire pressure by about 0.2 bar on the basis of the vehicle’s standard tire pressure in winter. For cold tires, 2.2‑2.3 bar for front tires and 2.4‑2.5 bar for rear tires are common normal values. Some vehicles adopt the opposite configuration: 2.4‑2.5 bar for front tires and 2.2‑2.3 bar for rear tires. Always follow the tire‑pressure label on your specific vehicle.

3. Check the Wear‑Indicator Mark
Replace tires in accordance with wear conditions. All tires feature wear indicators at a tread depth of 1.6 mm. Each indicator is a small raised bump, known as a "tread wear indicator". Next to each bump is its abbreviation "TWI" or a "△" symbol. Under normal driving conditions, tires must be replaced once wear reaches these raised indicators.

4. Choose Suitable Snow Tires
Snow tires differ from standard or directional tires with asymmetric central tread patterns, commonly including compound treads, transverse treads and block‑shaped treads. Their manufacturing processes are also different from ordinary tires. Snow tires deliver enhanced grip and friction on icy and snowy roads, improving driving safety and handling performance.

Please note: snow tires have relatively thick sidewalls, which makes them well‑suited for retreading. Never buy second‑hand or retreaded snow tires to guarantee driving safety.

Above all, maintain an appropriate driving speed for safe winter travel.
Whether driving on ice, snow or regular road surfaces, control your speed. Avoid sudden acceleration and hard braking for safe driving.