WHY DO YOU NEED WINTER TIRES IN CANADA?

Winter might still come out on top of friendliness, beavers, and sports on a series of terms that spring to mind when you speak of Canada.

However, even in areas with the harshest winters, few Canadians continue to drive without winter tires. According to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada (TRAC), 66% of Canadians have winter tires. This varies by province, with a maximum value of 86% in Quebec, wherein winter tires are mandated by law, and then a lowest of 48% in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

What is the most common reason for using winter tires? All-weather tires may be sufficient. However, for the majority of Canada, winter tires are preferable. While, all-season radial tires become stiff and turn their back on pavement and slush when the temperature goes below 7 degrees Celsius.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WINTER TIRES AND ALL SEASON TIRES?

Winter is indeed a season, but then all tires aren't built to withstand the elements. This is certainly something you've heard in tire advertisements: When the temperature dips below 7 degrees Celsius, the material on all-season tires becomes hard, comparable to something like a hockey puck. As a result, as the temperature drops, they lose their hold on the surface and ice. They slip, lose control in turns, or take longer to complete.

On the other hand, winter tires are constructed of a softer rubber mix with more silica, which maintains grip in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius. They attach to colder surfaces better. Drive an automobile with all-season tires in Edmonton in December, and then ride the exact vehicle with winter tires. It's like wearing winter snowshoes rather than dress shoes to cross an ice parking lot.

WHY DO YOU NEED WINTER TIRES?

1. They are designed for snow

To achieve the desirable winter tire name, tires must exceed stringent performance requirements. When the temperature falls, the rubber in all-seasons or conventional tires contracts, rendering them useless on slick roads. On the other hand, winter tires keep their rubber soft, allowing them to better adhere to the roughness of snow and glacier roadways.

2. They have unique treads

Winter tires feature treads that are broader and larger than those found on standard all-season tires. Winter tires' tread serves two purposes. For starters, it's made to wick moisture away from the tire's primary point of contact, giving you more control. Second, the wider tread allows the tires to hold the snow and ice as they rotate, eventually kicking it out behind them while the vehicle drives along the slippery surface.

3. Better Braking

It isn't easy to get a vehicle started in slick weather. Stopping a car in tricky weather is considerably more difficult. Winter tires have been demonstrated in studies to reduce braking distance up to 37%. On our icy northern highways, this is a huge benefit. Not only may this avert an accident, but it could also save a life.

ONLY SNOWFLAKES ARE CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING THE WINTER

There are winter tires, all-season tires, all-weather and studded tires, which can be puzzling. The M+ S mark, which stands for mud and snow, is found on the side of most all-season tires, but they are not winter tires. On the side of all winter tires, there must be a mountainous snowflake emblem.

In the winter, the M+S is required by law on-mountain main roads in British Columbia; however, the province suggests tires with the hillside snowflake for extra grip on ice and snow. Studded tires, on the other hand, contain metal studs implanted in the tread. They're made to give you even more traction on ice than winter tires. They're also obnoxious, can harm driveways, and aren't allowed on the highways during the summer in several regions.

Lastly, there are all-season tires with the alpine snowflake sign emblazoned on the side. They're made to stay on your vehicle all year. They are a compromise: the rubber isn't as soft as all tires, but it isn't as smooth as a winter tire. They're generally decent but not exceptional all year.

FINAL REMARKS

We strongly advise all motorists to invest in a set of high-quality winter snow tires for their cars. In snowy circumstances, winter tires provide you better control. With all that being said, if the highways are awful and you shouldn't have to ride, it's always safer to stay home till the weather and the roads improve.

A BETTER WAY TO BUY TIRES IN CANADA

Tire Warehouse www.tirewarehouse.ca makes the shopping experience faster and easier than ever for our customers. We offer a wide variety of top brands, helping you find the perfect tires that meet your unique needs. Once you find your perfect tires, you can check out confidently using your preferred payment method, and then choose how you want us to get your tires to you! Tire Warehouse will deliver tires directly to your home, or set you up with one of our preferred installers in your region. Shopping for tires has never been easier!

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