The winter season brings with it unsafe driving conditions.
Obviously, you can get ready for winter by installing winter tires.
What are Winter Tires exactly?
Winter weather creates 2 different dynamics for drivers:
- Poor road conditions
- Colder temperatures.
If you don’t live in the snow belt, you may feel that all-season radials will do the job.
But there may be some features about winter tires you haven’t thought about.
What about Tread Pattern?
Did you know that winter tires have a different tread pattern?
All-season tires have a closed pattern that traps snow.
Winter tires have an open tread pattern that effectively push away ice and snow.
The treads on winter tires also contain sipes – grooves cut into the tread to create hundreds of small biting edges.
These grooves grip the road, pushing away slushy snow and water.
Don’t forget about Rubber Compound
Furthermore, winter tires contain a softer rubber compound. Unlike all-season tires, the softer rubber grips the road better in colder temperatures.
Be sure to install proper tires designed for winter weather.
When you see a tire with the mountain/snowflake pictograph on the side, you know it meets certain requirements set by the Rubber Association of Canada.
Use four matching tires that have the mountain/snowflake tire symbol.
Tire tread should be no less than 3.5 mm.
Check tire pressure frequently, as it decreases in cold weather.
If you’re interested in learning about the products and services available at Timbren industries visit TimbrenIndustrial.com.
