Get a grip
Winter tires let you hit the road and stay in control
31.10.2011
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Drive safely this winter with snow tires
Being prepared for winter driving means making sure your vehicle
is ready for the snow and cold weather. Opting for winter tires
instead of all-season tires is a good place to start, so here's
what you should know when it comes to driving this winter:
Winter Tires 101
All-season tires are made of a harder rubber that's great for dry
conditions but loses elasticity on wet roads and when temperatures
are low. Winter tires, on the other hand, are made from softer
rubber compounds that stay flexible and elastic in temperatures
below 7 C and on snow- or ice-covered roads. Snow tires also have
deeper tread patterns than all-seasons; treads that are designed to
get a better grip on the road and help prevent skidding and improve
braking when driving conditions are less than desirable.
All-season tires have a "Mud and Snow" (M+S) symbol on their
sidewall. While this designation means that they're OK for light
snow, by no means are their narrower treads good enough to handle
the harsh road conditions Canadian drivers deal with during the
winter months.
Winter tires have a symbol of a mountain and snowflake on the
sidewall. The treads are wider and deeper than all-season treads,
and they're designed to disperse snow and ice more effectively and
perform as much as 130% to 150% better in severe weather. They
allow drivers to better handle their vehicles and stop much sooner
when driving on ice or snow.
The experts agree
Two winter tires are simply not enough. For the safest ride, four
winter tires will give you the best traction, stability and control
in snowy and icy conditions. Consider this: Having winter tires on
only the front wheels of your front-wheel-drive car means there's a
greater chance your car will spin out when you hit the brakes.
Alternatively, your rear-wheel-drive car may be tough to handle or
steer if winter tires are solely on the back wheels.