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Should I Get Winter Tires If I Live In Calgary?

If you think winter tires in Calgary only offer a little more traction in the snow, think again. Canada’s Traffic Injury Research Foundation tests showed that winter tires in Calgary provide superior traction, braking, and cornering in cold-weather conditions compared to regular tires.

And we are not talking about lightly snow-covered roads but completely snow-covered, frozen, or wet road surfaces. If you live in Calgary, you know how harsh winters can get in this city and how scary it is when you or one of your family members drive in a snowstorm.

If you want peace of mind in the winter, your best bet is to invest in a set of winter tires that will decrease the chances of your vehicle losing control on snowy or frozen roads significantly. Unless you drive recklessly on an utterly icy roadway, it is highly unlikely that your car will lose control or have steering issues while driving on a snow-covered or iced road with a high-quality set of winter tires.

Not convinced yet? Let’s look at what cold weather can do to your vehicle, especially if you live in areas like Calgary, where winters get harsh.

• Shorter braking distance: The research we mentioned earlier in the article also revealed that braking distance is as much as 30% shorter with winter tires in Calgary compared to regular tires on frozen or snowy roads. Imagine you must stop your car because there’s poor visibility suddenly. That 30% shorter braking distance can mean the difference between you crashing or being safe.
• Cold hardens tire compounds: Once the temperature drops below 7 celsius, tire compounds generally used for all-season and summer tires will start to harden. When the tire gets harder, it loses traction as the temperature drops. We are not saying that your regular tires will freeze completely when the temperature drops below 7 celsius, but they will start to harden and become more rigid as the temperature drops down. And when the compound becomes too stiff, you will find it very difficult to steer or control your vehicle. You also lose grip over wet road surfaces and significantly increase the chances of hydroplaning.

If you are looking for a professional auto shop with the best quality winter tires in Calgary, one of them is Trail Tire 16th Ave. Trail Tire is a leader in winter tires in Calgary, and with our three decades of experience and hundreds of happy clients, we will help you find the best winter tires for your needs and budget.

We deeply care about our client’s safety, and we will ensure your tires are of top-notch quality to keep you safe during harsh winters. We also offer other autmotive services if you want a complete check-up on your cars, such as tire rotation, vehicle diagnostics, and battery change.

Canadians know too well how scary it is to drive your vehicle in a snowstorm, so having a quality set of winter tires is a must if you want to keep yourself and your passengers safe. Call us today, and we will answer all your winter tires questions in Calgary.