Skip to main content

Winter Tires - What all Canadians should know about their winter tires!

by Ship My Ride Team


We have been told time and time again that we need winter tires as soon as the temperatures drop and the lovely (sarcasm note here) winter conditions start to develop, like freezing rain, snow or ice on the road.
But why do we have to make the switch to winter tires? Which tires are the best for my driving routine? How can I know?
Well, our managers and drivers had some ideas, and we are sharing with you!

What makes a winter tire a winter tire?
As we all know, tires are made out of rubber, but winter tires are made are made with a rubber compound specifically designed and tested for cooler weather. The regular type of rubber used on non-winter tires will harden on cold weather and cause the vehicle to slide on icy roads.

What symbols should I look for on my tires?
The weather all across the country can be very different at the same point in time. The most common symbols on winter tires are a peaked mountain with a snow flake, and the reading of “M + S”.

  •    Peaked mountain with a snowflake means that this tires have snow traction performance requirements, and have been designed specifically for use in severe snow or icy conditions.
  •    Tires marked "M + S" – or "mud and snow" tires, may not always be suitable for severe snow conditions.
“Wide, high performance tires, other than those that are specifically designed as snow tires, are not suitable for use on snow covered roads.”

With this in mind, think about the usual weather conditions in your area and look for the proper symbols on your tires, to make sure you drive safe this winter.

Talk to the experts
It’s always recommended to speak to a tire expert, and look for advice. It’s not easy to make a general decision, you need to get an assessment on the type of roads you will be driving, the conditions of your tires and the general weather experienced where you live, how often you drive, comfort level, and how much you are willing to spend.

Don’t Forget!
Check your air pressure, check your air pressure, and check your air pressure! Checking the air pressure extends tread life, improves safety, and reduces fuel consumption — it is a crucial factor in saving energy and protecting the environment.

Remember that the tire pressure decreases as winter temperatures drop, so be sure to check the pressures at least once a month when the tires are cold, preferably after the car has been out all night.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Moving Tips - Changing homes isn't always easy

We recently moved offices and got us thinking about all our customers that have to relocate to a new home. While packing, we decided to put together some of the things we did to make our move as smooth as possible. We thought this would be helpful for people moving to a new city, or a new home. Before you start packing Clean before your start putting things in boxes. You don't want dust coming from the old place to the new one. This will also help you get rid of things you really don't need or want anymore. Once you have sorted the things you actually want to take, you can decide whether you can donate the things you don't need anymore. Separate your items in categories like: glassware, cleaning supplies, bedding, etc. This way when you pack, you can sort things in a more organized way. Label your boxes. By category, or by room, you  can even mark which side must go up. Before you disconnect your electronics, take a picture, this way you will know where all t...
48 comments
Read more

One of ShipMyRide’s expertise is private relocation.

One of ShipMyRide’s expertise is private relocation. What does this mean?   When a customer is moving to another city or province, we help them move their vehicle to their new address. But, why do Canadians move? There are major reasons that make Canadians move, which include: ·          A new addition to the family ·          Job relocation ·          A decrease in family members ·          Retirement ·          An increase in cash flow, etc. To break it down by the numbers, most Canadians move because of: • Family size increase (marriage, kids etc.) – 42% • Job relocation – 37%,  but much higher in Alberta – 53% • Family size decrease (divorce, death, empty nest etc.) – 20% • Retirement – 18% • Came into more money – 14% • Home was...
16 comments
Read more

Canada's Gasoline Prices - Understanding Changing Prices

There are several factors that affect the prices at the pumps in Canada. Some prices might change day to day or pump to pump, or even province to province. It’s hard to keep up, but below is some basic information that can be used to understand the fuel prices at gas stations. The price at the pump for a litre of gasoline is calculated by the price of crude oil, the cost of refining that crude, marketing and distribution costs, taxes and, of course, profits to the seller (considering the people/company who extract the oil all the way to the pump with the end product). Prices vary from province to province due to the cost of transportation and taxes provincial and municipal. The amount of fuel a station can sell may also affect end price. Potentially, a station that sells more fuel and other products, may be able to offer their products at a lower price than a station that sells less fuel. A strategy that some gas station retail sites use is to offer food, car washes, pers...
13 comments
Read more