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It's that time again.

As we near the middle of September, there's no mistaking that the changing of seasons is on the horizon. Even if you're holding out for a few more hot days, it won't be long until the official last day of summer (September 23rd) has come and gone, welcoming an abundance of brisk weather. Of course, the seasonal excitement for Autumn is already here and has been for awhile. Pumpkin spice began making the rounds in early August!

In our line of business, the approach of fall and winter means something other than limited edition coffee and latte flavors (although these are welcome). At Deltona Discount Tires, it's time to help our customers prepare their vehicles for fall and winter.

That means it's time to think about the tires.

Here are some seasonal tire tips for fall and winter in 2023.

Consider Switching to Snow Tires: This one's a given. It'll be hard to find a seasonal tire guide that doesn't give this advice. That's because tire manufacturers make specific tires for winter driving conditions. And yes, winter tires are superior to all-season tires. An all-season tire needs to make compromises to offer benefits in multiple areas while a winter tire has one purpose: optimized driving in winter. One tip for switching to your in-season set: you might not want to wait until the first snow storm to change tires. There's always a rush around that time which means you might not be able to get your vehicle in for a tire change as quickly as you'd like. Our advice is to assess whether you need winter tires (if you currently have a set, check their condition NOW) and plan your seasonal tire changeover in advance, not immediately after or before the first snow storm.

Check Your Tire Pressure Regularly: You may already know that tires lose around 1 Pound Per Square Inch (PSI) with every ten degree decrease in temperature. Forbes ran an article in 2019 explaining the science behind why tires deflate in cold temperatures, so you can learn more about what happens if you're curious. In Egg Harbor Township, winter temperatures can hit the mid to low thirties (or lower). Even if you run winter tires, it's important to check the tire pressure levels regularly. You might also consider switching to nitrogen-filled tires. Increasing the amount of nitrogen in tires can have some benefits in corrosion prevention and pressure stability. One thing to note: if you recently drove, don't check the tire pressure right away. As you drive, friction warms up the tires. As a result, the readings you get after driving won't necessarily reflect the true state of the tire.

Inspect Your Vehicle's Wheel Alignment: You may hear motorists argue against frequent alignment checks. But these drivers probably don't live in Egg Harbor Township and haven't seen what we've seen. Wheel alignments are important for getting the longest life from your tires, so it's recommended you check your vehicle's alignment whenever you install new tires. At Deltona Discount Tires, we recommend an annual alignment check whether you're changing tires or not. Since you're likely to run into pot holes during your driving adventures in New Jersey (and especially Pennsylvania if you visit there in the Fall), having a yearly check is a good way to make sure everything looks right for your make and model. We use a Hunter Alignment System to check alignment angles and help us perform timely alignment adjustments.

If you need new or used tires, advice on tire maintenance in winter, or to schedule an appointment for a winter tire changeover or other tire service like nitrogen inflation, contact Deltona Discount Tires. We are proud to serve EHT; Ocean City, NJ; and Atlantic City, NJ with the best in tires and customer service.