Drivers are only just realizing a vital winter weather check on your car tires that can cost $1000s if you get it wrong

A VEHICLE professional has revealed an important step car owners should take before driving in the winter.

Worn tires on icy winter roads can be a very dangerous combination.

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According to car experts at Family Handyman, tires with worn tread increase the stopping distance when you brake.

Poor tire condition also reduces stability on wet roads.

Most states have a minimum tread depth of 2/32 of an inch, according to pros.

Tests have shown that once your tires wear beyond 4/32 of an inch, tire traction decreases dramatically.

Motor experts say drivers may try to slide through the winter with low tread on their tires, but the wheels will actually slip.

A single skid on the curb at five miles per hour can easily cause over $1,500 worth of damage to suspension and steering components.

Experienced mechanics say that while this is covered by insurance, you will have to pay the deductible.

It also counts as an at-fault accident and will increase your premiums for years to come.

If you hit a curb by sliding, you’ll not only damage your tires, but it can also cause problems with your vehicle’s suspension and other parts of your vehicle, according to Hoover Automotive.

Even hitting a curb at turtle speed can cost a little for other car repairs like wheel alignment, transmission problems, and even possible steering problems.

After slipping on a curb, you may notice a sharp impact, especially on uneven terrain and at speed limits due to a damaged suspension, the car pros explained.

A curb could damage your suspension control arms, making it difficult to control your car over bumps.

Experts say the most common curb damage in front-wheel or front-wheel drive vehicles is transmission and shifting problems.

The curb can damage your transmission case, disconnecting cables and cooling lines.

The dent can also damage your shafts and axles.

The tie rods that connect your wheels and drive shaft to the steering column could also be damaged.