CRS Automotive

CRS Automotive | Hamilton & Cambridge, ON Auto Repair

  • Car Sales
    • Premium pre-owned vehicles Cambridge, ON
  • Vehicle Service
    • A/C and Heating
    • Brakes Services
    • Fleet Services
    • Oil Changes
    • Suspension Services
    • Tire Services
  • Get Approved
  • Specials
  • Appointments
  • Blog
  • Contact us
    • About us
    • Google reviews

When Is the Best Time to Install Winter Tires?

November 29, 2017 By CRS Automotive

Are you one of those drivers who is thinking about getting winter tires for your vehicle or are you waiting for the weather warning to make the change from summer or all-season tires to winter ones?

If you like to be prepared for the harsh Canadian winter rather than just wake up one morning to fluffy whiteness outside your window, you have probably already done this. But if you are just the opposite and are waiting to replace whichever type of tires you have for winter ones until the very last minute, stick with us to learn when is the best time to do so and why. 

snow road

It’s good practice (and just plain sensible, really) to get on with installing winter tires on your vehicle as soon as temperature dips below +7°C or before the first snowfall – whichever comes first! The reason for that is that the rubber in all-season tires starts to harden, resembling a hockey puck when the temperature drops below +7°C. The harder it gets, the fewer traction tires have.

On the other hand, winter tires are made with rubber that stays softer in the cold giving increased traction, braking and handling on cold and dry pavement. They also have treads designed to grip ice and snow. Therefore, as soon as you are able to see your breath, it’s time to change your tires. 

winter tires temperatures

Should you want to be diligent in your winter vehicle preparations – and would like to avoid the rush at your trusted mechanic’s shop – October is not too soon to install winter tires. Many drivers have encountered this specific problem before and have chosen not to go through the ordeal ever again, so they’ve made it their annual routine.

The pros for installing winter tires are numerous and well documented:

“Tests conducted by Transport Canada and the Rubber Association of Canada have demonstrated that all-season tires veered off the testing track at speeds of 40-50 km/h; this didn’t occur with cars with winter tires.

A study by the Quebec government concluded that proper winter tires on your vehicle improves braking by up to 25% over all-season radials and improves collision avoidance by about 38%.

Winter tires that are in good condition offer better stability during braking and a shorter stopping distance. They also improve the motorist’s ability to keep a vehicle on course while turning.”

“In comparison tests between all-seasons and winter tires in normal temperatures, it took winter tires an average of 7 meters further to stop from 96.5 km/h on a dry track. On a wet track, it took winter tires 9.4 meters further to stop.”, states TRAC.

Another important thing when it comes to installing winter tires is that it should be done in sets of four to help maintain control and stability of your vehicle in icy conditions. Anything less than installing four identical winter tires at the same time compromises your vehicle’s safety and the overall effectiveness of winter tires.

Installing only 2 winter tires on the same axle is quite dangerous as it leads to a false sense of confidence and may cause the driver to oversteer or understeer:

4 Winter Tires vs 2 Winter Tires

Depending on where you live and drive, how you drive and store your car during the winter, and whether your tires are properly inflated, balanced and wheels aligned, a set of four winter tires should last approximately 80.000-120.000 kilometers. (For more tips on how to extend the life of your tires, check out this blog post.)

In that sense, these are the questions you need to ask yourself when choosing the right tires for your vehicle:

  • Are cold temperatures common where you live?
  • Do you have to use your vehicle every day?
  • Do you drive on icy or snowy roads?
  • Do you drive off main streets and roads in winter?

Seeing as we are almost at the year’s end and winter is nearly upon us, when you have all the corresponding answers, visit your trusted mechanic and consult our certified and experienced technicians here at CRS Automotive about the latest tire technology and how tires perform in different environments.

We will be more than happy to keep you safe this winter. Visit us today – our repair shops are in Hamilton!

Related posts:

Rainy day safety: How to choose new wiper blades
Help! My check engine light turned on! (updated)
Zero-Emission Car and Passenger Truck Sales by 2035 in Canada
Ice Safety Guide (updated)

Filed Under: Advice, Cambridge, ON, Car Maintenance, Hamilton, Tires, Trusted Mechanic Cambridge, ON, Trusted Mechanic Hamilton, Wheels, Winter Car Care Tagged With: Canada, Car Kits, Car Maintenance, Mechanic Hamilton, Tires, Winter Car Maintenance, Winter Tires

Search

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Get Your Appointment Contact us

Subscribe

Recent Posts

  • Check your car AC: Is your AC ready for summer? (updated)
  • 4 Reasons People Change Wheel Rims on Their Cars (Infographic) (updated)
  • Ice Safety Guide (updated)
  • Car Depreciation: What Are the Risks? (updated)
  • 10 mistakes to avoid when purchasing a used car

Categories

  • Advice
    • Car Kits
    • Driving Tips
    • Safety Tips
  • Auto Repair
    • Car Battery
    • Cooling System
    • Dashboard Lights
    • My Auto Shop
    • Tires
    • Wheels
  • Car Dealership
    • Cambridge, ON Used Car Dealerships Archives
    • Car Brands
    • Car Buying
    • Car Makers
    • Car Models
    • Electric Cars
    • Total Cost of Ownership
  • Car Maintenance
    • Spring Car Care
    • Summer Car Care
    • Winter Car Care
  • CRS Automotive
    • Trusted Mechanic Cambridge, ON
    • Trusted Mechanic Hamilton
  • Ontario, CA
    • Cambridge, ON
    • Carbon Tax
    • Hamilton
  • People in the Automotive Industry Archives
    • Bertha Benz
    • Charlotte Bridgwood
    • Danica Patrick
    • Denise McCluggage
    • Elon Musk
    • Florence Lawrence
    • Jeremy Clarkson
    • Karl Benz
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Linda Hasenfratz
    • Mary Barra
    • Michael Schumacher
    • Niki Lauda
    • Trista Schieffer
  • Smart Cars
    • Car Apps
    • Connected Vehicles
    • Internet of Things
    • Smart Cities
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017

Working Hours

Hamilton

Mon - Fri: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sat: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sun: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Cambridge, ON Vehicle Sales

Mon - Fri: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sat: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sun: Closed

Search Inventory

Search Inventory Search Inventory
Year:
   
Make:
   
Model:
   
Body Style:
+
 -

Find Us

Hamilton

999 King Street East,
Hamilton, ON L8M 1C6

(905) 544-8335

service@crsautomotive.com

Cambridge, ON

75 Water Street South,
Cambridge, ON, N1R 3C9

(905) 469-8335

sales@crsautomotive.com

Why Choose Us?

Open 7 Days a Week. Open Late.

Free Shuttle Service

24 Months / 40 K Warranty

Towing Service Available

Complete Auto Repair Service

Advanced Diagnostic Equipment

Auto service and maintenance Hamilton

CRS Automotive Stoney Creek car sale logo

Copyright © 2005-2019 CRS Automotive. Site Map
Powered by KEY27 Marketing Oakville

  • Home
  • Premium pre-owned vehicles Cambridge, ON
  • Vehicle Service
  • Get Approved
  • Specials
  • Appointments
  • Blog
  • Contact us
    • Contact us
    • About us
    • Google reviews