Late winter is here: Central Oregon Les Schwab stores busy installing snow tires during calm between storms
(Update: adding video, comments from Les Schwab manager, customer)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Warmer winter weather around the High Desert at the beginning of the winter season allowed some people to delay the purchase or installation of snow tires. Until now.
With a series of winter storms pushing through the region this week, there is now a rush among people to get them on quickly.
“Snow has fallen, so you know, there's a huge demand for, needs for traction tires or devices. So, yeah, it definitely sparks business up quite a bit.” says Steve Curtiss, manager of Les Schwab on Third Street in Bend.
Purchasing tires for the winter can be costly, so many people hold off on buying them until they're absolutely necessary.
Customer Corie Ball said, “I kept waiting to see if winter was going to happen, because I'm a cheapskate and I didn't want to. If I didn't have to put them on, I didn't want to put them on.”
There are a couple different tire options to choose from such as all-weather tires or winter tires.
Some snow tires come with studs, which are better for icy conditions, but there are drawbacks.
According to a 2014 ODOT study, these types of tires caused about $8.5 million in damage each year to state highways. The benefit vs. the cost has been a topic of debate for many years,
"Ultimately, we want you to be confident when you're driving," Curtiss said. "Every customer is a little bit different on what they're looking for."
Tires are not the only things you should be checking on your car as this winter season ramps up. It's also important to make sure it has the proper fluids and working brakes.
"That's another key component -- to make sure the car stops for you.” Curtiss said.
The store says it can be challenging to find appointment slots around this time of year.
If you can't find an appointment, the tire company offers walk-ins and drop offs at all eight of their locations throughout Central Oregon.
