The conversation has shifted from snow tires to winter tires, and here's why...

A top consideration for anyone looking to safely navigate Canada’s roads this winter is understanding the conversation has shifted (language-wise) from snow tires to winter tires.

They do, in fact, refer to the same tire, but language has shifted to ensure consumers know not to wait for snow to get the right tires. It’s actually winter temperatures that dictate when it’s time to store those summer tires. Once temperatures dip below +7°C, winter tires provide superior tire performance compared to summer and even all-season tires.

Depending where we live, winter tire transition is required across the nation

While each of us experiences unique winters depending on where we live or hang our hat this year, the summer to winter tire transition is relevant across the nation. And, yes, this is even true for Vancouver Islanders navigating the Malahat or waking up to the horror of significant and unexpected snowfall (remember Vancouver Island's Snowmageddon 2019?)

From St. John’s to Vancouver, ‘expect the unexpected’ becomes more than a catchy phrase as drivers look forlornly between their summer tires or all seasons and the rising snowfall while strategizing how to get to work or the store. All season tires all have M+S, they meet the bare minimum for winter driving as long as they have a minimum 3.5mm tread depth. All weather tires have M+S and the snowflake and are a hybird of an all season and a winter tire.
 
It’s imperative drivers understand winter tires improve traction, but drivers must still drive according to weather & road conditions. A University of Michigan report found, “A two-wheel drive vehicle with winter tires will outperform a four-wheel drive vehicle with all-season tires in braking and cornering.”

Facts about winter tires versus all-season and summer tires;

• Winter tire performance is superior in temperatures below +7°C (yes, that’s PLUS SEVEN) compared to all-season and summer tires.
• Winter tires use a rubber compound that is less stiff & more flexible in colder temperatures.
• Winter tires have better traction at -30°C than all-season tires do at +4°C.
• Treads have deeper grooves and irregular edges to improve traction on wet, slushy, snowy, icy & dry cold surfaces.
• A car with winter tires on an icy road needs 6.4 metres to stop compared to 12.1 metres for a car with all-season tires.
• Winter tires are important because crash-avoidance technologies such as electronic stability control don’t work if tires have inadequate traction.
• The superior performance of winter tires during winter conditions increases the likelihood drivers can avoid a costly collision.

When it comes time to book your vehicle in the shop for the switch to winter tires, be sure to put on a complete set of winter tires because mixing different types of tires can cause a vehicle to fishtail. I think we can all agree that the only fishtails we want to see are those happily splashing around at the lake when we welcome Spring.☀️​

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