Yes, You Need Winter Tires!

It’s that time again – winter tire season! Living in Thunder Bay means winter tires are an absolute necessity; they keep our vehicles working in tip-top condition and most importantly, they keep us safe when driving in snowy and icy conditions.

Here are some winter tire facts to consider:

• All-season tires stop doing their job at around 7°C! So if you haven’t switched to winter tires yet, you should
• Traction control on your vehicle doesn’t actually improve the traction on your tires, it just limits your car’s acceleration to the traction level of your tires. This is the same with ABS brakes. So, you still need that added grip
• Using all-season tires throughout the winter sacrifices performance and fuel economy for your car
• Tires marked with the Alpine symbol meet snow traction performance requirements
  
• Winter tires offer up to 50% more traction than all-seasons
• Quebec is the only province that has mandated the use of winter tires. In the process they have reduced road accidents that cause injury by 36%, and weather condition related collisions by 17%
• You must install all four winter tires, and not just two. Increased grip in the front or the rear will cause a loss of control
• In Northern Ontario, studded winter tires are permitted between September 1st and May 31st. In other areas, studded winter tires may incur a fine
• For a list of winter tires approved by the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, that have the Alpine symbol, visit http://www.wintertiresafety.ca/

With these tips, you should be armed with the knowledge necessary to drive safely on our slippery Canadian roads.