What Kind of Tires Should You Use in Calgary?

For Calgary motorists, the first snowfall may be a bit challenging. From 12:30 am through 4:30 pm, Calgary Officers responded to on average, about 200+ crashes on municipal streets from last November’s snowfall. Calgarians are not alone in winter driving accidents; ice, sleet, snow, and slush account for roughly 30% of all automobile accidents on Canadian highways. With a 49% increase in automobile accident claims in December and January, even insurance companies in Canada find slower work times occur when the seasons change.

When driving in snowy and icy weather, most Canadians regard themselves as masters. However, as the statistics show, we could all use some assistance when driving in snow. This is why people frequently inquire about whether we need winter tires or vehicles with all-wheel drive. 

With the consistency of snow and wintry conditions in Calgary, having the right tires is essential for your well-being and ability to travel without interruptions. However, for year-round driving in Calgary, are winter, all-season, or summer tires the best choice? Let’s review the fundamentals of each type of tire, their utility in various conditions, and their advantages of each.

All-season Tires

The word “all-season” implies that the tire will perform well in both summer and winter. All-season tires are intended to be an affordable alternative to summer and winter tires. While they are adequate, you may discover that winter tires function better in icy situations and summer tires in dry weather. This is because they have reduced tread spacing, which reduces noise and roughness.

Furthermore, because the material is neither as strong as summer tires nor as supple as winter tires, they will operate well in most weather conditions.

Summer Tires

Summer tires are made to perform best at temperatures above 7 degrees Celsius. These tires are usually made of a soft rubber compound that provides excellent grip and control on dry and wet surfaces. On the other hand, summer tires are less effective in winters that have a temperature that is often below 7 °C due to the same compound. 

Unique tread designs and rubber compositions that enhance the roadway’s precision provide increased responsiveness, cornering, and stopping capabilities. Summer tires’ tread compositions are engineered to be more flexible, providing for improved traction and grip. When stretched to their limits, summer tires may have lower tread depths that offer more stability.

Winter Tires

Winter tires, regardless of the manufacturer, are developed with many of the same features in mind. The rubber formula is significantly softer and stickier than that of all-season tires. As a result, the tire is considerably more able to bend and grip the icy conditions. The tread is also built so that it can drain slush, sleet, and water while keeping you on the road and preventing you from losing control.

Furthermore, the microscopic horizontal ridges on the tread’s surface help to maintain grip in slippery weather. Compared to an all-season tire, snow tires may degrade faster and are less accurate on dry pavement due to their soft compound.

Do You Need Winter Tires in Calgary?

Calgary receives 50.7 inches of snow each year on average (128.8 cm). While we do not receive the most snow in Canada, you simply need to go to the mountains and specific locations like Rogers Pass. These areas receive an average of 340 inches (864.7 cm) of snow per year, and Glacier National Park has the most significant average yearly snowfall in Canada at 564.4 inches (1388 cm).

Quebec is the only province in Canada that needs winter tires by law, while B.C. legislation requires them on designated roadways starting on October 1, 2015. In Alberta, winter tires or chains are “required when conditions justify it” Alberta, ” has no legislative rules. However, based on where you go, they could be necessary if you plan to visit any National Parks. The National Parks Highway Traffic Regulations need winter tires or chains.

How to locate great tires for winter in Calgary

You may not identify snow tires unless you are acquainted with tread designs and are a tire expert. Looking for a snowflake logo is one approach to do it. This design is applied to the sidewall of the tire. It is not found in all-season or regular tires.

Do you need to replace your tires for the season?

When searching for tires, you want to discover the proper fit for your car. The most well-known brands are usually the ones that offer the best quality, durability, and reliability.

Finally, you should think about the cost. There’s no need to overspend when you purchase with Trail Tire, where you can quickly get top-brand winter snow tires for sale in Calgary at affordable pricing. Search for a vehicle by year, make, trim, model, tire size, and category on our website.

It’s also worth looking into the expense of buying and changing a set of snow tires and determining whether a second set is affordable. In addition to giving the Least Price Guarantee on tires, we now provide winter tire and wheel packages tailored to your vehicle and offer discounts at the point of purchase.

In addition, we provide a multi-season tire storage service, where we keep your tires for you for a small fee each season, making tire storage in a housing space a simpler solution.