Lots of people ask the question about whether they really need winter tires in Toronto or whether they should just take their chances and wait for the snow to hit and see how they fare. It is something which is annual situation and autumnal questions pop-up in every citizen of Toronto.
Winter Tires vs. 4-Wheel Drive
Also, the car enthusiasts looking forward to buying a brand new car consistently sitting on the question of whether they should opt for a car with winter tires or get a 4-wheel drive vehicle. As though a four-wheel drive vehicle doesn’t need winter tires. This is flawed thinking and a fallacy. There is a lot to know on both sides of the coin.
Common Questions About Winter Tires
So what exactly makes winter tires any different from the usual ones? What things should you know about, if you are planning on buying snow tires anytime soon? Also, it is necessary to understand the difference between winter tires and all-season tires, to make better decisions before the next time winter is upon you.
Here is some insight over these questions and about winter tires and whether you really need them or not?
What are winter tires?
Winter tires or snow tires are specifically designed for driving your car or vehicle in heavy snowfalls. It makes your vehicle movement stable in snowy or icy areas and other cold temperatures. Winter tires are characterized with their deep tread where edges create a stable grip on the road to move easily. It also reduces the snow build-up which causes accidents due to sliding or loss of steering control on tires.
So, you must know it all begins from the tires themselves. Toronto, Brampton, Mississauga areas are no stranger to receiving weather that demands winter tires for safety.
Also, the structure of these tires is designed to tackle snow-filled roads or cold temperature intensity. The rubber tread in these winter tires is highly flexible in cold temperatures. That’s something you won’t find in all-season tires or common tires. Most importantly, it prevents a very common road hazard often seen in snowy areas, that is, sliding.
Do you need winter tires?
Once you know how winter tires are specifically designed for heavy snowfall or winter conditions preventing sliding or driving difficulties in snowy areas, you can decide whether you need them or not?
Well, obviously if you drive most often and live in areas such as Toronto as highly snowy prone areas, surely you need it. Experts recommend winter tires to the people who reside in such snow-prone areas or live in cold temperatures. To be more specific, if one is living in a place any lower than 6 degrees celsius, you need it. It’s about when you realize it. Especially, if you do a lot of driving, working or any sort of purpose in Toronto or such cold areas, winter tires are not something you should ignore.
Why Do You Need To Switch To Winter Tires In Toronto?
Winter in Toronto is pretty much unpredictable which starts from little showering of snowflakes and next you see the whole city in white. Even the weather forecast in Toronto won’t help you with getting from one place to another in Toronto. So you might find it wise to invest in winter tires.
It has been quite evident till now that how winter tires make your drive easy and smooth in snowy areas. If you still not much convinced, here are some additional features winter tires offer:
a) Winter Tires Technology: One of the primary technologies in winter tires is the ultimate level of flexibility in its material. It determines the traction of the winter tires. It is a composite of unique rubber-made compound material which tends to work best in the cold temperatures. The colder it is, the more they shine. The elasticity of the winter tires is fulfilling the flexibility and gripping power in low temperatures.
b) Sliding Prevention with Gripping: Winter tires are built with higher potential of flexibility to provide maximum grip. The unique tread patterns on the tires fixate on the snowy grounds and enhance the traction on ice or snow. You can find winter tire traction far greater than all seasons tires.
c) Superior Braking: Winter tires come with unmatched gripping where it digs deep and firm in the cold temperatures or snowy areas. The brakes are quite responsive to winter tires. Braking is possibly the greatest benefit to using winter tires.
d) Discounts on your Insurance Policy: Ontario law has made a mandatory law where insurance policy companies are supposed to give 5% discount on the premiums if your car is installed with all four winter tires. This step has been taken to encourage safe driving in Toronto and Ontario.
e) Prevent Road Accidents: You must realise that preventing road accidents is a pressing concern for the average person. Changing your usual tires to winter tires is just what you need to do prevent severe road accidents in winter seasons or snowy areas. Feel free to reach out and book your appointment for a tire swap.
f) Prevents snow clogging: The tires are specially designed to create more traction and a firm base on the road for better grip. Another reason which makes it more steady driving in heavy snowfall areas is the structure of tires. The edges of the tires are designed to clear the snow from the path or getting in the way. It doesn’t let the tire’s tread get snow-clogged. Also, such technological material and structure are more effective in brake systems as compared to other all-season tires or summer tires.
When do you need to install winter tires?
You may think that you have to go through the hassle of changing tires and also part with some of your cash. But rest assured it is a worthwhile investment (and a small one too) in your safety as well as others. Now, you may wonder when you’re supposed to change the tires because it is not all the time snowy and extremely low-temperature conditions.
One thing is obvious that you need to switch to your winter tires or install winter tires before the first sign of snowfall, obviously. Keep an eye on the weather reports starting in early to mid-October. There’s been the odd year where we’ve seen some snow around Halloween.
With Jiffy Tire Swap the entire process is as easy as 1 – 2 – 3 for your winter tire switch-over, and remember you need to replace all four tires and not just any two, which most of the people end up doing anyway.