TIRE TIPS

WHY YOU SHOULD CHANGE YOUR TIRES
THIS SPRING

Use tires that are designed for the seasons, whether those are winter tires or summer tires, to keep longevity.

It’s common knowledge that you should switch your tires over between seasons and get new tires when your old ones lose tire tread. Everyday consumers don’t understand why tires should be changed and why your vehicle requires tire replacement every couple of years.

In most areas across Canada, road conditions aren’t ideal throughout the winter, resulting in the need for winter tires and summer tires. If you live in an area, such as Vancouver, BC, with mild weather throughout the year that rarely drops below zero, having an all-season tire will suffice for the wet roads that come with living there.

In the prairie provinces such as Alberta and Saskatchewan, having a set of tires for winter and summer is the way to go. The main difference between the two types of tires is the tread and rubber type.

Don’t Use Your Winter Tires In The Summer

By using your winter tires in the summer, you can reduce the lifespan of your vehicle’s tires by 60%, leading to purchasing new ones sooner than the tire age suggests. The rubber on winter tires is much softer than summer tires, allowing it to be flexible and mould to the icy roads. Winter tires have a larger tread depth to help push water away from the surface, ultimately keeping you from sliding. This is true whether you drive a front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle.

To help your tires last longer, don’t keep them on your vehicle in seasons they aren’t made for. If you keep your winter tires on throughout the summer, it can be more dangerous. Summer tires are designed with rubber to handle warmer temperatures and not soften to the heat of the road. There are lots to consider between tire pressure, tread wear, type of tire, and driving habits for your safety on the road. Many people don’t know that using winter tires in the summer months will cost them more in fuel. The softer rub on a winter tire covers more surface area, which causes more demand on the vehicle, leading to more fuel being consumed.

Safety Is A Concern

Car tires are the biggest safety concern for many tire shops when it comes to automotive parts. Dealerships take tire maintenance, including tire rotation, tire wear, and air pressure very seriously.

When it comes to changing from winter tires to summer tires, speak with an expert at TreadNation to learn about tire manufacturers such as Michelin and Bridgestone and find the perfect tire for your new car or used vehicle.