How to Buy Tires: Winter or All-Season?
Depending on which part of the country you call home, your tire needs for the approaching Winter might not be completely obvious to you. Don't be discouraged though, because with the assistance of the professionals at Canadian Tire, we have prepared this comprehensive guide to help you navigate your way through the tire universe.
Experts usually recommend that Canadian drivers own two sets of tires: one set for fair weather conditions and the second for Winter driving. However, if you are lucky enough to live in the more temperate regions of our fabulous country where snowfalls are rare, you can avoid the expense of winter tires altogether. All-season tires should be enough to give you total driving peace of mind.
The following information will walk you through the process of buying tires most suited to your driving needs.
Before You Start Shopping
To efficiently shop for tires, you need to be familiar with the following details about your vehicle: brand, model, year, and the width and diameter of your current tires.
This information is imperative as different cars use different tires.
When Should I Change My Tires?
Tires should be changed to the Winter set in time for the first snowfall. The first snow of the year, usually the end of October or early November, wreaks havoc on roads as our Winter driving skills may have become rusty during the Summer months. Good quality tires with extra traction will result in better reaction time and help you to steer clear of potential hazards.
All-Season Tires
All-season tires are designed for balanced performance in most conditions. They might not however, be best suited for the harshest of Winter conditions as the compound material used to make regular tires has a tendency to lose elasticity in very cold weather.
Be sure to inquire about specialty mud and snow all-season tires that are designed to provide excellent road handling all year. They are made of specially formulated compounds that remain flexible in very cold weather while providing good traction in light snow conditions.
Winter Tires
If you live in a region with abundant snowfalls where temperatures tend to rest well below zero, or if you drive a vehicle with a lot of horsepower, a tire especially designed for Canadian Winters will best suit your needs. Look for the following features offered by a good quality Winter tire:
- specially formulated compounds that keep their elasticity and gripping power at temperatures dropping to -35C,
- tiny razor-like sipes or cuts to minimize the risk of sliding in the snow, and
- larger grooves and thread blocks that offer a better grip in icy or slushy conditions.
A good Winter tire will allow you to stop around 60' sooner than an all-season tire will on an ice-covered road, and 13' on a snow-covered road, while traveling at a speed of 60km/hr.
Tips And Tricks For Safe Winter Driving
- Installing winter rims will protect your wheels from snow and salt.
- It is strongly recommended to use four Winter tires but if you can only afford two, they should be installed on the rear axel.
- Poor inflation will shorten a tire's lifespan and will increase the gas consumption of your vehicle. Be sure to verify the pressure of your tires once a month (the colder it gets the more a tire will lose pressure).
- Keep a good distance between you and other vehicles to give yourself enough time to stop.
- A four-wheel drive vehicle does not allow you to stop any faster than a regular car, so be careful not to drive them with a false sense of security!
- If you get stuck in the snow, gently reverse and drive forward in a rocking motion to get out.
- Always keep a shovel, warm clothes, a pair of boots and a flashlight in your car in case of emergency.
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