Despite spending nearly half of the year trudging and traveling through snow and ice, many drivers are content to stick with the same set of tires on their vehicles all year long.
However, automotive experts say winter tires are safer than all-season tires, and also more cost effective in the long-run. Here’s why:
• At temperatures below -6 degrees Celsius, road salt loses its effectiveness. Snow and ice are more slippery at 0 degrees Celsius than at -20 degrees Celsius or below.
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• Ice covered road can require 12 times the normal distance to stop vehicles. Installing winter tires provides a greater control and stability during the winter season.
• According to the B.C. Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, when compared to all-season tires, proper winter tires shorten stopping distances by 25 per cent.
• The winter tire features a deeper, more open tread pattern and more siping (the small knife-like cuts in each tread block). This allows the tire to bite into the snow and deliver better traction than an all-season tire. They are made of composite rubber that stays softer and more pliable in cold temperatures. Affects their ability to create friction and grip the road.
• Regardless of front-, rear- or all-wheel drive vehicles, all tires should be winter tires. Never mix tires of different tread, size and construction.
• Driving the warm seasons in winter tires will wear them down quickly.
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