Importance of Using Winter Tires
Importance of Using Winter Tires
Posted on June 13, 2023
When winter is just around the corner, it’s a smart idea to take a little extra time to prepare your vehicle for the journeys ahead. Winters in the Red Deer County and Blackfalds areas are especially unforgiving, so it’s important to take steps toward making your travels as safe as possible. That’s where Red Deer Toyota comes in! In addition to checking other aspects of your vehicle, such as the brakes and lights, we’ll outfit your vehicle with new winter tires with the traction needed to conquer snowy conditions. Learn more about the importance of winter tires below and what makes them special.
What Are the Benefits of Installing Winter Tires?
Compared to all-season and all-weather tires, winter tires offer a lot of unique benefits. They’re specially designed for frigid temperatures and perform well even in snowy and icy conditions. Here’s a quick breakdown of what they can do:
- Greater Flexibility: Winter tires are made of a soft, malleable rubber compound, which doesn’t lose its flexibility in cold temperatures. This helps keep you in control of your vehicle when the going gets tough.
- Deep Tread Patterns: These tires have special tread patterns and wider grooves, giving your vehicle stronger traction in precarious weather. The grooves act as channels that transfer water and snow away from your car.
- Hydroplaning Prevention: The deep sipes in winter tires slice through slush and help you avoid hydroplaning on wet roads.
- Superb Traction: Winter tires are designed to deliver second-to-none traction. In fact, they provide about 25% to 50% more traction when compared to all-season tires.
When to Put on Winter Tires
Once the temperature drops below (and remains below) 7 ° C, all-season tires can no longer grip the road as effectively. This is the ideal time to swap your car’s all-season tires for studded or studless winter tires. You might be wondering, “How long do winter tires last?” In Red Deer County, we have at least four months of wintery road conditions. When you take that time frame into account, along with the average distance a person drivers per year in Canada (about 20,000 to 25,000 kilometres), you can expect at least four or five seasons from your winter tires.
All-Weather vs. Winter Tires: What’s the Difference?
One of the most common tire questions we receive here at Red Deer Toyota is, “What’s the difference between all-weather and winter tires?” It’s simple! Here’s a quick look at what sets these tires apart:
All-Weather Tires
- Best for milder winter conditions with heavy rain, slush, and fast-melting snow
- Stay flexible above and below 7 ° C
- Deliver strong grip on wet asphalt
- For temperatures above and below 7 ° C
All-Season Tires
- Designed for warmer, dryer climates and mild wet conditions
- Made from a harder rubber
- Lose traction at or below 7 ° C
- Treads are designed to provide a comfortable ride and reduce noise
Studless Winter Tires
- Ideal for harsh winter driving conditions and heavy snow
- Designed to remain soft in cold temperatures
- Provide incredible grip in snowy conditions
- For temperatures below 7 ° C
Studded Winter Tires
- Treads have holes with metal studs to help break deep snow and ice apart
- Designed for harsh winter road conditions with snow, ice, and freezing water
- Made to remain soft in colder temperatures
- For temperatures below 7 ° C
Buy Winter Tires at Red Deer Toyota Today!
If you’re looking for the best winter tires for your Toyota, look no further than Red Deer Toyota! Whether you’re looking for studless or studded winter tires, we can help you find the right set for your model. Additionally, we offer winter tire storage and a limited-time 5% price beat for winter tires. The time is now to prepare your car, truck, or SUV for winter! Contact our service team online or call us at (403) 343-3736 with any questions about our tire selection and winter packages!