Why Do You Need Winter Tires In Alberta?

Tires have progressed throughout time. Initially, there were two types of tires: summer and snow. Some decades ago, the all-season tire was put into the market, providing motorists with superior winter driving capabilities than a summer tire while also allowing them to save the cost and bother of changing winter tires twice a year. Some Alberta drivers still prefer all-season tires because they fulfill their specific demands depending on their driving patterns, where they reside, and their comfort level concerning winter driving.

Not All Tires Are Invented In The Same Way

As the weather becomes colder, all tire rubber stiffens. Still, the latest versions of winter tires keep their flexibility even at extremely low temperatures of -30°C and lower, giving exceptional traction and grip. Winter/snow tires are specially engineered tires that perform best in cold temperatures and snowy or icy situations, such as those seen in Alberta. They’re made to give your car or truck more traction than conventional or all-season tires.

This is accomplished through deep treads and sipping that can grip ice or snow, allowing drivers to start up a slope, halt, or drive in deep snow.

The best comparison to a Canadian “all-season” tire is all-weather tires. They have far sharp sipping and gentler compounds, allowing for the Mountain/Snowflake sign to be printed on them, although they do not degrade as quickly in the summer as a winter tire.

The Law In Alberta

Currently, automobiles in Alberta are not required to have winter tires installed throughout the winter months. Yet, Alberta Transportation recommends that cars be equipped with four winter or all-weather tires for better traction and control when traveling in harsh winter conditions.

Why Do You Need Winter Tires In Alberta

During the last 15 years, technology has surged in the creation of winter tires. Winter tires nowadays comprise a softer rubber compound, with expanded sipes throughout the tread to provide optimal traction on snow and ice. When it comes to braking on snowy roads, snow and ice tires are particularly outstanding.

Why Not Use All-season Tires in the Winter?

For the majority of winter road conditions in Canada, all-season tires are a myth. An all-season tire with more than half-inch of tread depth may provide proper grip in loose snow. All-season tires, on the other hand, perform horribly on ice and compacted snow. When traveling on all-season tires in the winter, stability, and stopping become a safety concern.

When to Install Winter Tires

Winter has sprung in much of Alberta, making it necessary for many drivers to put on their winter tires. Experts believe you don’t need to wait for the snow to fall. The conversion to winter tires can start much sooner than when there is snow on the ground.

Even if you have a fully dedicated winter tire, it’s safe to put them on by the time the current daily temperatures reach 7 degrees Celsius, irrespective of whether there is snow on the ground. According to tire specialists, when the temperature dips below 7 degrees Celsius, all-season tires reduce their traction and braking distance increases. Winter tires include softer rubber, more treads, and deeper grooves for improved traction on ice and snow.

The Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake Symbol

In severe icy conditions, any tire with the three-peak Mountain and snowflakes on it is recommended, as they are the tires that Transportation Canada considers to be in need of severe winter treatment. As a result, they can be divided into two types: winter tires that are solely designed for use in the winter and all-weather tires that are built for use in all seasons.

All-Weather Tires

If you don’t prefer to have two distinct sets of tires, all-weather tires are a year-round choice. If you choose all-weather tires, be certain the tread level is at least 6/32nds of an inch, or you will be sliding all winter.

Who’s Using Winter Tires?

Although winter tires are not compulsory in Alberta, it appears that more motorists are using them.

According to the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada, over 45% of motorists in the province utilized them in 2014. The number had increased to 55% of motorists two years later, according to the organization. 68% was the national average in 2016. Since 1998, when around 35% of Canadian drivers wore winter tires, the group claims that usage has nearly doubled.

Should You Have A Set Of Tires And Wheels For Winter Driving?

For a variety of reasons, it is preferable to have both summer and winter wheels and tires. Installing a mounted tire and rim takes around half an hour vs. dismounting summer tires and remounting winter tires, which takes an hour each way and a half.

Tire Stress: The tire bead extends every time it is installed and dismounted, which can cause air to escape from the tire bead. It costs roughly $40 to install a mounted tire and wheel ($80 if the wheel is centered). Based on the wheel size, dismounting a summer tire and remounting a winter tire might cost up to $160.

Final Words

One of the most cost-effective investments you can make is winter tires and wheels. Tires, alloy wheels, steel wheels, and complete Winter Tire & Wheel Packages are all available at competitive pricing. Your summer tires will last longer if you use winter tires.

While the winter tires and wheels are on the truck, the summer tires will not wear out resting in the basement or garage. Winter wheels shield Original Equipment or modified alloy wheels from the harsh realities of winter, such as salt, slush, and dirt, which corrode the metal.