Why YOU Should Buy Winter Tires
I will tell you after 35 years of winter driving in Canada.
I have learned to appreciate Winter tires. After having started driving in the late Nineteen seventies, before front wheel drive became the standard configuration for the majority of north American cars.
I drove a Ford Custom 500 and a Chevrolet Chevette, both are rear wheel drive models. In the snow, they could be difficult to handle, but Snow tires make driving more manageable.
In the snow, rear wheel drive can be both fun and difficult, Especially after a big snow fall.
The front wheels on a rear wheel drive don’t give much traction other than steering and without Snow tires, slipping and sliding. The traction is on the rear wheels.
A lot of people would use sand or salt bags in the trunk of the car to increase weight on the rear wheels for added traction, This is still common practice for pick up trucks with rear wheel drive.
Therefore this is Why YOU Should Buy Winter Tires for a rear wheel drive car or Pick-up Truck.
Front wheel drive cars perform very well with a set of four Winter/ Snow tires. I recommend this to everyone who in the winter.
All wheel and for wheel drive vehicles are very good in the winter with Winter/ Snow tires, The stopping is different on ice because of the way all wheel/4 wheel drive performs so be cautious on Ice in particular.
I have seen 4 wheel drives upside down in the ditch when exceeding the limits of the tires and speed limit on icy and snow covered roads.
Why YOU Should Buy Winter Tires View From Drivers Seat
Now, Let’s discuss the Why YOU Should Buy Winter Tires
- When the temperature outside goes below 7 degrees Celcius the compound of all season tires gets too hard and the traction and stopping is greatly decreased.
- Winter/Snow tires have a softer rubber compound and therefore, will increase your traction in snow and decrease your stopping distance by 40% on slippery and icy road surfaces.
- Snow tires are designed to channel snow and water away from the tire surface increasing traction.
- Snow tires have added traction agents added to the rubber compound like Crushed nut shells and nylon strands, increasing the ability of the tire to have good traction on ice and snow.
Four Types Winter/Snow Tires
1.Studded tires perform best on heavy icy roads with heavy snow conditions and work best below 7 Celsius.
2. Non-Studded Snow/Winter Tires best for ice and light snow Temperatures below 7 Celsius.
3. All Weather Tires are the latest, designed for less harsh winter areas they can be used year round. Good for Fast melting slushy snow and water.
All Winter/Snow rated tires are marked clearly on the sidewalls with this symbol.
My Conclusion.
Whether you choose Studded, Non-studded, All Weather or All season Tires be sure that you get the right tires for your Car, Truck Or Minivan. Take your time in the bad winter weather and keep the rubber sound down.
Video with sound added for visually impaired from my facebook live appearance.