It is once again time to get your vehicle road ready for the winter season and all that Mother Nature throws our way in Northeastern Alberta. One of the most common questions in the Zarowny Parts Department is about the difference between winter tires and all-season tires. Below is an explanation from our friends at Goodyear Tire.
WINTER TIRES
- Winter tires can provide enhanced braking performance in snowy & icy conditions
- These tires perform well in all types of winter conditions – snow, ice, sleet, slush, wet and even cold dry roads
- Winter tires feature tread designs made specifically for ice, snow and other severe winter conditions
- They have specially formulated tread rubber that stays flexible at low temperatures for better vehicle control
- The aggressive tread on a winter tire reduces snow build up
- Most drivers find that winter tires provide a sense of confidence and control in challenging winter weather conditions
ALL-SEASON TIRES
- All-season tires are designed to help provide traction and grip in wet and snowy conditions
- They are made to help provide stable handling and even treadwear in both wet and dry conditions
- Although all-season tires offer traction in a variety of different weather conditions, winter tires surpass them when it comes to traction in snow and ice
At Zarowny Motors we recommend winter tires due to the amount of snow our region receives and the condition of the roads in our area. Drivers that live in a city with regular snow-plowing (not in St. Paul, ha ha!) and who rarely drive out of those areas can use an all-season tire.
Last year, CBC hosted a radio program that looked at provinces that have mandatory snow tires and the debate that surrounds this. Ontario is one province that offers a lower insurance rate for drivers that use winter tires, “Effective January 1, 2016, the government will require all private insurers to offer discounts to people who buy and install winter tires, the Ministry of Finance said in a release.”
I think Alberta should look at other provinces for ideas and model similar mandatory regulations for certain regions of the province. Best winter driving practices and using the best possible products to help drivers keeps all Albertan safe.
Book an appointment today as October is the month to install your winter tires (Anything below 7 C on all-season tires, the rubber gets hard and inflexible. So that’s why they slide on ice or in snow, where a true winter tire remains flexible below 7 C). Don’t forget to remove them in spring and save the wear on these important tires.
If you have questions please call our Parts Department at 780-645-5144. Our Ford-trained Parts Technicians can help. Book a service appointment at 780-645-4468.