Snow Tires ?...Do I really need to spend money on them for a few months of winter?I'm not a tire expert, but I have re-assessed my opinion of snow tires as of late. Let me tell you why... It's November 2010 and winter is setting in. I traded in my old car and bought a new SUV. It comes with four new winters, complete with rims. I thought, I'll try them it can't hurt. Being a sceptic for over 30 years I'm not expecting much! I see now, my skepticism came more from being cheap than anything else. I couldn't have been more wrong! I swapped the tires and took the vehicle out for a test drive. Having just driven the Suv home with all season radials, and now with winter snow tires, (provided for free by my favorite Ford dealer) the comparison is unbelievable! It didn't take more than 10 seconds in the snow and ice to realize I hadn't been providing the safest enviornment for my wife and kids over the years. I'm sold on snow tires and their value. If you are wondering if it's worth the investment. The answer is YES!! Consider the anguish that an accident could put you through. The time and money needed to repair your car and possibility of personal injury to you or your family.
Change your tires in late fall and ride the winters until early spring. Don't put your family at risk for the sake of a couple bucks!! You'll gain mileage on your all seasons and piece of mind with the safety of your family throughout the winter.
Things That Make You Go Hmmm?A car trying to get up a hill, spinning it's tires and sliding down backwards, narrowly missing another car on the way. Driving on a 2 lane highway and starting to fishtail at 100 km per hour on black ice. Hoping to stop in time before your car finishes sliding towards something nasty. What it would be like to be in a car spinning out of control, on it's way into the ditch. Watching a young girl standing on the curb, while strangers try to manouver her car out of the ditch. How unlucky the people in Quebec are by having to endure manditory snow tires in the winter.
My ResearchPrior to trading in my car I wanted to know if winter tires were worth the investment. I looked on line and talked to people in the tire industry. Everything and everyone told me the same thing. It was worth it! I still remained skeptical. After all, I came from the era of poly bias ply tires and survived. (I ended up backwards in the ditch on the way to Canmore with my poly b's, when I was 18) That's why I thought the all seasons were much better for sure! Anyway, it all comes down to tread pattern and types of rubber. Your all seasons come with a harder rubber and a tread pattern that is good for driving with average weather conditions. Warm weather and maybe some rain. They aren't plyable enough when they get cold. Winter tires are made with a softer rubber and have a more agressive tread pattern. There is more space between the nubs and the rubber is more flexible. This provides more grip and allows the snow to clear easier. In order to have a clear understanding, you must go to a tire dealer and physically look at the two individual tread types. Feel the rubber on the tread and compare the patterns. Once you do, you'll know why you need snow tires. Even if it is only for that 1 day of the winter.
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