How to Choose Winter Tires
Winter tires are a must in the parts of the world that experience below freezing and snow on the ground. Winter or snow tires are manfactured specifically to meet the below freezing tempretures, snow, slush and ice conditions. Experienced winter drivers especially appreciate the importance of winter tires. Choosing the right winter tires is as important as coming to the decision that your car must wear winter footwear.
In Quebec, about 10 percent of cars don't have winter but they are involved in 38 percent of winter accidents. Since 2008, the government of Quebec has enacted a law that requires all private cars to be fitted with winter tires from November 15th to April 15th. Winter tires provide traction that is essential to road safety in colder climates.
All four tires
When choosing winter tires, the first thing you should do is put winter tires on all four wheels. This could help you car balance when you could be skidding or spinning out of control. There are times when an individual realized that at a well-balanced traction is so important. Snow, ice, and slush, are a very different surfaces than asphalt. Infact snow, slush, and loose ice are debrise on the road. Therefore, treat the car as a four footed creature that it is.
Choose your tires
When you choose your tires, you will be confronted with a surprising variety and price range. First of all you need a mechanic to help you. The mechanic will guide you as you choose the type. Not all tires will fit your car for one thing. For another, some tires give better performance and others are more affordable. These last two factors are not mutually incompatiable with each other either. Even with a help of a professional, you need to know some basic things.
All season or All conditions?
Some manufacturers market their tires as all season or all conditions. We however know that July and Febraury conditions are two very different things. Your car needs tires than can grip the road in blowing snow. Your tires should also be able to help you stay on the road when it flash freezes in an instant. Winter tires are made to be more cold tolerant to the extent all season tires are not. The tire manufacturer Pirelle suggests that winter tires should be used when the temprature fall below plus 7 celius (44.6 F).
What to look for
The first thing to look for is a snowflake on a mountain emblem on the tire sidewall. The tires should be new, although some garages can have used and heavily discounted winter tires. Be sure to know your tire size. This information is usually found on the inside frame of back door, driver's side. Your car manual has that information but you could also just open the car doors and look for a dark stick-on. Tire specifications are also on the tire wall. You can get good tips on how to read the numeric and letter codes on your tirewall from michelinman.com for instance.
Winter tires have deeper threaded than other season tires. These deep threads are designed to cut through snow and slush. They are also designed to grip the ice. Tire information should also include the optiminal tempreture range, although this is getting really advanced.
Cost
Most personal vechical can be fitted with good quality snow tires for $200 to $500 (Canadian or US). Of course, those same wheels can be fitted with premium tires for well over a $1000. Those dollars can save you a lot of time, towing service fees, and an increase in car insurance premiums. In addition you will extent the life of your summer tires by not make them take the abuse of the cold and grit on the roads.
Effectiveness in Stopping
According to the Ontario Ministry of Transport, a SUV stopping distance in winter is greatly affected by the type of tires it has on. Going at 50 K/M, a sub-compact car will take 39.1 m (42.76 yards) to come to a full stop with snow tires. With summer tires that distance becomes 50.7 m (55.45 yards). These meters or yards can mean the difference between avoiding a collision or not. Choosing the right snow tires is important for your car and yourself.
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