Drivers check out condition of tires

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - One after the other, some people around western New York were finding themselves stuck in the snow Thursday morning. Many learned the hard way, now might be a good time for a good set of winter tires.

With the winter storm, Dunn Tire is seeing more customers looking to get their cars ready for the snow. They say it’s important to make sure your tires are properly inflated and the tread is good. The easiest way to tell is to take a penny and make sure the tread isn’t below Lincoln’s head. If it is, you need new tires.

Jeodlin Pardo waited until it was too late to get her winter tires. Pardo said, “The back tires are bald and it was not good yesterday, yesterday when it started snowing I was sliding all over.”

It’s a mistake Andrew Hix at Dunn Tire sees over and over again. Hix said, “A lot of people coming in with tires they were driving on them forever, just trying to use as much tread off the tires as they could.”

Hix recommends you check your windshield wipers, use anti-freeze wiper fluid and change out your tires and winter tires, to avoid getting stuck.

Hix said, “There's a lot more grooves in the tread so they tend to wear out faster in the summer time, so it's best to switch to winter snow tires.”

If you do get stuck, Hix says, “Don't stand or whatever, just trying to get your car out just make sure you get some help, turn your fourways on.”

Experts say another component is making sure your tires are properly inflated. To do that, look inside your driver side door to find the proper pressure.