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Best Tires for Winter Driving

Winter is just around the corner, which means that you should start thinking about changing into winter tires for safety if you have a car. However, what exactly are the best tires for winter? Find out here!

Winter Tire Types

To get a better idea of what is the best winter tire for your brand new or used car in Calgary, here are the different categories of winter tires:

All-weather Tires

These are new types of tires in the industry designed for winter conditions. It can be kept all year round because it can provide food handling in cold and warm seasons.

All-season Tires

All-season tires are designed for mild or slightly wet conditions. These do not have the same degree of performance as winter tires for snow and ice, but they have better traction than summer tires.

The Continental TrueContact Tour and Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+ are some of the top-rated all-season tires in the market.

Non-studded Winter Tires

If you are driving in soft to hard-packed snow or a road with rough ice, this type of tire might suit you. These tires are made of rubber compounds that can remain soft despite cold temperatures. These also have aggressive treads for optimal traction both on ice and snow. An example of non-studded winter tires is the Nokian Hakkapeliitta R3.

Studded Winter Tires

Studded winter tires are ideal for places with a temperature that falls below 7c. These tires have up to 2mm studs. Vehicles less than 4,600 kg can have studs up to 130 in each tire, while those that are heavier can have studs up to 175 on every tire.

Take note that these tires are only allowed between October 1st and April 30th in British Columbia. Also, it’s important to remember that these tires should be on all four tires for maximum control.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Winter Tires

Here are the top factors you should consider when choosing the best winter tire for your vehicle.

How Do You Use Your Vehicle

The most significant consideration when buying winter tires is how you use your vehicle. You have to ask yourself several questions, such as how often do you drive on snow or ice? It’s also important to consider your driving style and the type of road you will encounter.

By simply answering these questions, you can get a better idea of which tire suits your needs in the best way possible.

Traction

If you are looking for tires for extreme snowy conditions, you might want to consider studded tires since they provide more grip. However, it can be a bit noisy and can cause damage to the pavement. Also, check whether this type of tire is allowed in your area before buying.

Lastly, when choosing a winter tire for your vehicle, it is best to choose one with an Alpine logo. This logo is exclusively found on all-weather and winter tires. It indicates that the tire has passed specific performance standards in snow testing.

Winter Driving in Calgary

Getting the right winter tire is essential regardless of whether you got your vehicle from a used car dealer in Calgary or have a brand new car. The roads during winter can be pretty slippery, and it can increase the chances of incidents. By simply changing to the best suitable winter tire for your vehicle, you can significantly reduce the road risks associated with winter.