To remove ice from tires, use a de-icer spray that is safe for windshield wipers. An ice scraper can also be used to remove ice buildup from tires and wheel wells. To prevent ice buildup on your tires, spray them with a silicone tire treatment. After driving, remove slush buildup in wheel wells to prevent ice from forming. If ice does collect on your tires, do not attempt to remove it using a hammer or mallet, as this may dent or damage your car.
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Can Ice Damage Tires?
Freezing temperatures, snow, and ice can damage tires. Cold temperatures cause your tires to lose pressure, increasing wear. Even worse, freezing conditions can cause tires to stiffen and crack, and even puncture. This contributes to blowouts. Summer tires are much more susceptible to this damage than winter tires. This is why it’s important to switch to snow tires as temperatures drop.
- Ice and cold cause tires to lose pressure, increasing wear.
- Cold temperatures can cause tires to stiffen and crack.
- Snow tires are more resistant to damage from ice than summer tires.
- To protect tires from ice, park your car in a heated garage if possible.
The best way to protect your tires from ice is by parking your car inside a heated and protected garage. If this isn’t possible, it’s imperative to take steps to protect your car from snow without a garage. Preventative measures will go a long way to increasing your car’s longevity.
5 Ways to Remove and Prevent Ice on Tires
Ice buildup on car tires can cause damage to the rubber. Not only that, but ice buildup on tires and wheel wells reduces traction, hinders the performance of your suspension, and can even restrict your car from turning. Follow these tips for keeping car tires ice-free in order to protect your vehicle from expensive damage.
Use a De-Icer Spray
A high-quality de-icer spray that is safe for windshield wipers is also safe for use on tires. These sprays are designed to melt ice without degrading rubber wiper blades, so they will not damage your tires. If your tires have ice buildup, brush off any snow with an ice scraper equipped with a brush, then thoroughly spray the hard ice buildup with a de-icer.
- Use a de-icer spray designed for cars on wheel wells and tires.
- De-icers that are safe for windshields will not harm tire rubber.
Spray the edges of ice buildup where possible, to melt the ice where it is frozen to your tire.
If you can, spray the edges of the ice buildup. This can melt ice where it is fused to your tire and wheel wells, making it easier to remove large pieces of ice.
- Helps melt ice fast on your windshield.
- Easily reduce refreeze.
- Strong and efficient formula designed to melt even the strongest ice.
Try Your Ice Scraper
This long-handled ice scraper is great for removing heavy ice. The scraper end can be used to scrape and pry large chunks of ice off your tires and wheels. Use the tool carefully to avoid scratching paint and wheels. If you’ve sprayed your tires with de-icer first, a good scraper will easily pop large ice buildup off your tires.
- Easily push snow and scrape ice off your windshield without damage to your car.
- Easily store in your car to have ready for any snow and ice storms.
- Durable and built to last.
Treat Wheel Wells and Tires with Silicone Spray
Make ice easy to remove from your tires by spraying them with this silicone-based tire treatment spray. It works like a no-stick barrier that hinders ice formation. Even if ice does form, it will be much easier to remove when there is a layer of silicone between the ice and your tires.
- Spray tires, wheels, and wheel wells with a silicone-based tire treatment spray.
- Silicone sprays help prevent ice from sticking and make ice removal easier.
Silicone is not dissolved or washed away by water, snow, and ice. Plus, it is not harmful to tires. You can spray it on wheels and wheel wells as well, to make removing ice a breeze.
- Add shine and protection to your tires.
- This spray is both phosphate and sulfate-free.
- No need to buff or rinse your tires after application.
Clear Slush After Driving
Most of the ice that forms on tires and wheels wells is accumulated by driving through icy slurry on salt roads. This half-melted material clings to your car and freezes solid when you park. To keep this from happening, use the brush end of your ice scraper to clear slushy buildup from tires and wheel wells when you park.
Avoid Using Hammers to Clear Ice
Do not use hammers, mallets, or chisels to remove ice from tires, wheels, and wheel wells. Doing so makes it extremely likely that you dent your car, puncture your wheel wells, or scrape your wheels. One missed hammer blow in icy conditions can put a serious dent in your car. Even worse, you might not see the damage you’ve done to your vehicle until you finally get that stubborn ice to come loose.
How Do You Get Snow Off Tires?
To get snow and ice off your tires, employ methods that work without damaging your car. The best way to keep your tires ice free and ready for driving are:
- Spray a de-icer designed for windshields and wipers on your icy tires.
- Use a long-handled ice scraper to remove ice buildup. This method can be combined with de-icer spray.
- Treat your tires and wheel wells with a silicone spray to prevent ice buildup and make ice removal easier.
- Use your ice scraper to remove accumulated slush from wheel wells when you park, to prevent it from freezing on your tires.
- Do not use hammers, mallets, and chisels to remove ice. You can scratch or dent your car in the process of ice removal.
These tips allow you to get stubborn ice and snow off your tires, prevent ice buildup, and keep your car in pristine condition. Winter traction is a must, so make sure you take steps to keep your wheels and tires free of ice buildup.
