Winter Tires Special Offers
Winter Tires Special Offers
Posted on November 19, 2021
Should You Get Winter Tires on Your Vehicle?
With the winter months approaching, many people are starting to get their vehicles ready to drive in the snow and ice. While many people understand that the roads get much more treacherous in the winter, they often don't know how to equip their vehicles with the right tools to safely get them from point A to point B.
One of the best ways to help you stay safe while driving on the road during the winter is to invest in a set of winter tires. In Quebec, winter tires are required to be on your vehicle from December to March. And in the rest of Canada, they are strongly encouraged. But what is so special about winter tires? And how do they differ from all-season tires? Keep reading to find the answer to those questions and more.
What are Winter Tires?
Winter tires, often called snow tires, are tires that are specifically designed to perform better in the winter. All tires are made of rubber. And rubber tends to lose its flexibility in cold temperatures. This means that it will not be able to grip the road as well when temperatures close to freezing. Winter tires are made of a soft, flexible rubber that stays flexible in cold weather and is able to keep traction better.
Winter tires also have deeper tread that is able to bite into the snow. This makes them the ideal option when the roads are covered in snow and ice.
The Difference Between Winter Tires and All-Season Tires
All-season tires are specifically made to maintain traction on the road in the summer and winter. However, they are only designed to handle mild temperatures. If you live in an area that rarely gets any snow, then all-season may work for you.
However, in Canada, the roads can be covered in snow and ice for several weeks at a time. Even if there is no snow on the ground, all-season tires are not designed to handle extremely cold temperatures. When the temperature drops to around 7 degrees, you should have a reliable pair of snow tires on your vehicle.
How to Determine if You have Winter Tires on Your Vehicle
If you forget what type of tire is on your car, or you just bought a car and are unsure what types of tires cam on the vehicle, there is an easy way to tell. Winter tires will usually have the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake symbol located on the sidewall. This symbol indicates that the tire has met the specific requirements that were set by the Rubber Association of Canada.
If there is an "M + S" symbol on the sidewall, that means that it is an all-season tire. The letters M and S stand for mud and snow. And while it may indicate that it can be used for snow, it is really only safe if there is a light dusting of snow on the road.
Winter Tires in Alberta
If you are looking for a reliable set of winter tires, feel free to contact us today. At Zender Ford, we have a wide selection of winter tires that will help to keep you safe during the winter, without breaking the budget.