All About Winter Tires
Your go-to guide for purchasing winter tires to keep you safe during the winter.
As winter approaches and temperatures plummet to 7 ℃ and under, it’s time to look into buying new tires. Icy and snow-covered roads have a direct effect on your tires and driving capabilities. While not all provinces in Canada get a great deal of snow, we all have to deal with the colder temperatures. Snow tires are designed with your safety in mind. This guide provides you with helpful information when it’s time to purchase winter tires.
The importance of winter tires Edmonton is not something to be dismissed, as they are crucial for driving safety in all winter weather conditions in Canada. Although some prefer all-season tires, snow tires provide more comfort and control as they are designed to withstand the harsh weather conditions that are common during the winter season in Canada.
Why Are Winter Tires A Priority For Canadian Winters?
Winter tires are a necessity for many reasons. Below are some top pros:
- Snow tires help decrease braking distance by as much as 40% on cold, icy or snow-covered pavement.
- Designed with quality materials, winter tires provide shorter stopping distances and outstanding handling during cold weather conditions.
- Snow tires can lower the consumption of fuel during the winter.
- As they are manufactured from materials designed not harden in cold conditions, winter tires provide more traction, decreased braking time and better traction during severe weather conditions.
Beyond performance, many Alberta insurance companies offer premium discounts for drivers who switch to winter tires, making them a cost-effective safety upgrade. This investment is particularly valuable when navigating Edmonton’s unplowed residential side streets, where increased lateral stability prevents your vehicle from sliding sideways into curbs or parked cars during a sudden freeze.
The Evolution of Winter Tires
Older models were extremely loud and designed with deep treads for snowy roads. However, today’s snow tires are manducated with superior traction that thrives on heavily packed snow, wet and/or cold pavement, and icy roads. Therefore, the term cold-weather tires is often used in place of winter or snow tires.
Specialized Rubber Compounds
Modern snow tire models are designed with latex compounds designed to continue to be malleable during cold weather. The superior pliability and traction work in aiding the tire to adhere to even the tiniest imperfections on the surface of the road. This provides drivers with optimal control in harsh road conditions.
As opposed to all-weather tires, the tread on winter tires is made to penetrate the fine film of water resulting from ice melting due to heat. The small grooves in the tires, otherwise referred to as ‘sipes’, are made to guide water to a safe distance from the tire front. This works for consistent traction of the tire on the road, preventing the chance of hydroplaning.
Since winter tires have been deemed mandatory in Canada, collisions in winter have decreased by 17 percent. Also, the number of on-the-road accidents resulting in death or severe injury has decreased by 36%.
Winter Tire Markings
Winter tires are easily identified by symbols located on their sidewall. These industry-standard symbols are 3PMSF, or three-peak mountain snowflake and M+S symbols.
M+S Symbol
Designed for superior performance on snowy roads, M+S symbol snow tires are engineered structurally with a tread compound or pattern that is more efficient than a standard tire. Based on the configuration of the tread design, M+S tires were originally used to distinguish between tires designed for snow or mud-covered roads that were bias-ply and knobby from those straight rib tires originally used on older vehicles. Tread-designed tires are labelled according to their brand and may vary to include M+S, MS, M/S, M&S and more.
Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol
The 3PMSF, three-peak mountain snowflake, symbol is a rigorous endorsement that labels winter tires per strict regulations. When looking for snow tires, search for those that show the 3PMSF, or Alpine, symbol. This marking is crucial, according to Transport Canada, as it shows that the winter tires adhere to stringent snow or ice traction requirements. Thus, they are especially useful in extreme snowy weather.
To earn this rating, tires must outperform standard reference tires by 10% on packed snow.
FAQs ABOUT WINTER TIRES
How do snow tires function?
As a result of decreased friction, both all-weather and all-season tires are not safe for winter driving. However, winter tires are composed of soft rubber which maintains its flexibility when the temperature drops. As well they contain grooves made to provide better handling and a more secure grip in icy and snowy conditions. Winter tires are designed with cold temperatures in mind as opposed to snow.
How do I care for new snow tires?
The best way to care for new winter tires is to check the PSI (tire pressure). Adjust as needed the PSI requirements listed on either inside the door jamb, the driver’s side, or the owner’s manual of your vehicle. Routine tire maintenance works to protect the environment while reducing the cost of fuel.
Does the tread on snow tires differ from that of all-weather tires?
Yes, indeed! As opposed to standard tires, winter tires are made with single-directional tread designed to push ice and snow out of the way. Snow tires have sipes, or grooves, which allow for better control and traction on ice and snow-covered roads. Winter tires require a 3.5 mm of remaining tread to be labelled as such due to their deeper tread than that of all-weather or summer tires.
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