Many Canadians throughout British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta, and elsewhere question whether winter tires are necessary. The reality is that road conditions change in cold weather. As such, changing tires for wet weather conditions is essential because driving and tire needs differ from those on dry roads.

So, before the first snowfall hits, you should change to the type of tire that is designed for driving on icy roads. Whether mandatory or not, this tire change on your car or all-wheel drive vehicle will give you peace of mind when going out in icy conditions. Here, we describe why this is the case.

Legal Mandates and Recommendations

Some provinces like Quebec make changes to snow tires mandatory at this time of year, which is the same for BC. Where it is not legally necessary to make the change, like in Manitoba, the recommendation is to move to winter tires in preparation for temperature drops of 7 degrees Celsius. Making this change could also be beneficial for insurance premiums and tire warranties, so check this out for your province.

Winter Rubber Compound Tires

The rubber compounds and structures of winter tires differ from those of warm-season ones. The rubber in summer tires stiffens in cold temperatures, negatively impacting handling and stopping distance. In contrast, winter tires are made from a softer rubber. They give the vehicle a better grip, traction, handling, and safer braking distances.

Better Tread Patterns

Winter tires are designed with a specific tread depth and pattern for handling wet roads. Features like sipes are designed to remove compact snowflakes and ice, for example, which summer or season tires do not have. Consequently, it is safer to change to winter tires that can handle icy driving conditions at this time of year.

Studs and Tire Pressure

Winter weather tires are designed to add studs or are made with studs for better handling on icy roads and driving through slush. Additionally, these are soft tires, so you may or may not need to adjust the tire pressure for driving conditions in your area to achieve optimum performance.

Better Grip and Stopping Power

During the winter months, the right set of tires can help with grip and stopping power on icy and wet roads. For example, if you’re on a steep incline, a set of winter tires could be the difference between control over your vehicle or sliding into traffic. Likewise, you have more stopping power, which helps prevent accidents.

Other Reasons for Tire Changes

There are several other reasons for changing tires to meet winter conditions, including:

• Better handling and performance with slimmer profile tires
• Less stress when facing the first snowfall
• Using the right tires extends their lifespan
• With the help of experts, tire changes are easy and budget-friendly

At Tread Nation, you can buy your tires at cost, get tire storage, and free tire rotation. Get a quote for new branded tires or book tire rotation online. Our team will happily help you transition your tires for the next season, so contact us now.