Are Winter Tires Really Necessary?

September 30 2019 - Wheaton Buick GMC Ltd.

Now, you may ask yourself, ‘Are winter tires really necessary?’ This will depend on where you live and the conditions that you drive in, however, since we live in the Great White North and will be dealing with the cold and snow whether we like it or not — the answer to that question is yes, you should have yourself a set of designated winter tires.

If you’re like many and decide against having a set of winter tires because they’re too expensive, you don’t want to store them and you just don’t want the hassle, then continue to read as all season tires and winter tires deliver significantly two different types of results.

All Season Tires

Said best by thestar.com, “…the all season tire: a jack of all trades and a master of none.”

What that means is that all season tires won’t provide the best results for summer or winter separately. In the winter, all season tires have less traction and do not provide the same amount of grip while driving through snow or on ice. As temperatures drop below 7c, the rubber of all seasons start to harden, which means the rubber is not flexible and the tires lose grip and are prone to sliding — not ideal for living in a city with many mountains and rolling hills.

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Winter Tires

As temperatures drop, winter tires actually gain grip on snow and ice because they are made of a softer compound that stick better to cold roads. They deliver superior braking and cornering — which is where they really stand out. The tire’s treads and grooves (known as sipes), help move your vehicle more efficiently through slushy road conditions and when snow is melting.

So, ask yourself, do you have the right winter shoes for your vehicle? Come see the tire experts at Wheaton Buick GMC Ltd. and they will guide you on getting the right tires to survive the winter weather in Kamloops.

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