All-Season Tires vs Winter Tires
When it comes to driving in the winter, you can’t really play it too safe. With that in mind, you should seriously consider investing in a proper set of winter tires. In fact, on most BC highways, it’s mandatory to be driving with winter tires (or chains). So, why can’t you just rely on those good old all-season tires year-round? Aren’t they supposedly good for “all season?” The service team here at Westminster Toyota takes a look at why winter tires are actually better when the temperatures dip.
Cold Weather Driving
Once the temperature gets cool enough that it’s consistently colder than 7-degrees Celsius, your all-season tires start to suffer. The rubber used for them is versatile, but it starts to stiffen in the colder weather, resulting in more strain which causes them to wear out faster. Also, the tread on them is designed for general purpose use, and isn’t specifically designed to handle the ice and snow. Winter tires, by comparison, are specifically designed to work in cold weather (in fact, you shouldn’t be using them in consistently warm weather!) They retain their elasticity in the cold for better traction, and their treads actually push snow away from the wheels making it easier to drive on snowy winter roads.
Adequate for All-Seasons
Yes, your all-season tires do offer adequate year-round performance, and if you don’t see extremely cold temperatures, or live in an area that doesn’t get much snow, they’re fine for the winter. Canada tends to be a little harsher than that, however. Swapping the tires for winter tires is not only safer for you, it’s easier on the tires. While your winter tires are doing the hard seasonal work on the ice and snow, your all-seasons can take a break, which helps them last longer.
What About Chains?
Chains are less expensive than tires, and are pretty good for driving through a severe snowstorm, but they aren’t the most practical solution for day-to-day. In particular, they’re noisy, and they make your drive much more uneven. They also damage the road when there isn’t much snow or ice for them to dig into. Winter tires offer better handling and braking overall, and don’t impact the quality of your driving experience.
Shop Winter Tires With Westminster Toyota
If you’ve held off on getting a set of proper winter tires, now’s the best time. Visit our parts department where we can match the perfect set of tires to your vehicle. When it’s time to buy your next vehicle, we hope Westminster Toyota in New Westminster, BC, is your first choice!